2.9.12 edition of the Auburn Plainsman

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Soccer team signs new players Page B1

shooting a fugitive since early 2012

Antonio Scott, 22, is in custody after being chased and shot at by police Tuesday morning in Rustic Ridge Court. Scott is the subject of multiple warrants.

Visit theplainsman.com for full story

The Auburn Plainsman Thursday, February 9, 2012

A Spirit That Is Not Afraid www.theplainsman.com

Vol. 118, Issue 16, 16 Pages

SGA prepares for upcoming election Becky Hardy Campus beat reporter

Rebecca Croomes / Photo Editor

Participants at the AU Dance Marathon got down Saturday night, Raising $65,995.25 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

Are you up to the

As Student Government Association campaigns approach, candidates are ready to show how much they believe in Auburn and love it.

The early stages of campaigning include three major steps.

The first step for candidates is to select a group of supporters.

“Major candidates select a campaign manager, a top-five group of supporters and ask local businesses and residences for coupons and billboard placements,” said Katherine Simeroth, elections director and senior in communications and prelaw.

The second step is for the candidate to introduce themselves to the public.

“Candidates schedule times to visit organizations during campaign week and also make plans with their campaign staffs,” Simeroth said.

The third and final step in begin-

“

The campaigning process has definitely been busy, but it’s a great process to go through since you learn a lot.”

—Will McCartney SGa president candidate

ning campaigning is to turn in a budget to SGA. “Candidates turn in materials that they will use for campaigning to be approved or unapproved by the Elections Directorate” Simeroth said.

“The day before anything goes up on campus, candidates must submit an itemized budget to be approved.

» See Election, A2

Campus organizations team up to create community-wide service initiative Chelsea Harvey Campus editor

Chris Osterlund, senior in industrial and systems engineering and SGA executive vice president, has teamed up with Nathan Warner, senior in chemical engineering, and Julia Wiard, coordinator for the Center of Leadership and Ethics, to develop an initiative he hopes will move Auburn’s students to action.

“The purpose is inform and engage students so that they can find something they’re passionate about,” Osterlund said.

The event, called The Challenge, begins Feb. 20 and will involve several weeks of events, including demonstrations, lectures and service projects designed to help students become aware of issues facing society and find ways they can get involved.

Wiard said the idea for The Challenge grew out of a Quality Enhancement Plan proposal submitted by Ainsley Carry, vice president for Student Affairs. The original proposal was similar to The Challenge, but included extended features such as the creation of new courses and study abroad opportunities.

Although the original QEP proposal was rejected by the University, Wiard said it inspired the concept of The Challenge.

“That was not the QEP proposal that was ultimately accepted by the University, and Chris and Nathan knew about it and knew it was something that we’d proposed and came to us and said, ‘How can we make this happen? We want to see this project or this program kind of become a reality,’” Wiard said.

The Challenge is divided into five teams, each representing a different priority within community involvement. The teams are Pub-

The Challenge Upcoming Events River Runway Walk down the Concourse “river runway” to learn about local and global water and find out what to do to care of our planet’s water.

When Feb 20–21, 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Where Haley Center Concourse IJM: Justice Night IJM will host an evening of worship and enlightenment through a presentation about human trafficking.

When March 1, 7 p.m.

Where Langdon Hall Health and Wellness 5K The pharmacy school is hosting a Wellness 5K, “A prescription for a healthy life.” Register online.

When Feb. 25, 9 a.m.

Where Front of pharmacy school Photo petition/ map of hunger The Committee of 19 will host one image in each member’s respective college building. In a central location, Committee of 19 will host a photo petition about hunger and poverty.

When Feb. 20–24 Where Student Center, various colleges Screening of the movie“Dive” or “Food, Inc.” When Feb. 27, 8 p.m.

Where AUSC Room 2216/2225

» See Challenge, A2

Rachel cooper / Writer

Gov. Robert Bentley speaks to the Trustee Selection Committee during Monday’s meeting in Montgomery.

Trustee Selection Committee votes nine to Board Rachel Cooper Writer

The Auburn University Trustee Selection Committee approved nine nominees to fill the vacant seats on the Board of Trustees, presided by Gov. Robert Bentley, Monday.

The nominees are B.T. Robert, District 1; Clark Sahlie, District 3; Jimmy Rane, District 3; Bob Dumas, District 3–Lee County; Jimmy Sanford, District 4; Elizabeth Huntley, District 6; Sarah Newton, District 7; and Jim Pratt, District 9; and Charles McCrary, At Large.

Members of the board expressed concern for Auburn’s accreditation at Monday’s 11 a.m. meeting at the Capitol.

“Our Southern Association of Colleges and Schools does come up in 2013,” said Raymond Harbert, trustee and chairman and chief executive officer of Harbert Man-

agement Corporation. “You have to have five trustees under SACS guidelines.

“At the end of this legislative session we will have nine vacant trustee seats. I think however this vote turns out, people need to know the crisis this presents because we have to adhere to SACS policy.”

Bob Dumas is the president and CEO since 2001 of Auburn Bank.

He is also the head of the Alabama Bankers Association and has spent more than 30 years as a banker.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve Auburn University in this position,” Dumas said. “At this point I have a lot to learn and my goal is to continue to support Dr. Gogue’s plan, continue to support the land grant mission with emphasis on instruction, research, outreach and extension.”

» See Board, A2

Special Feature

Campus // A4

Campus // a5

Love & Sex

Black Knowledge Bowl

In this issue, the Plainsman delves into what sex, love and relationships mean to Auburn students.

The Black Knowledge Bowl is a gameshow style event designed to excite students about black history month.

Statewide fundraiser collects $800,000

Inside Campus » A1 | Community » A5 | Opinions » A7 | Classifieds » A8 | Sports » B1 | Intrigue » B5

Alabama Give Day raised money for nonprofits like United Way, Boy Scouts of America and more.

Recycled paper

Campus A2

The Auburn Plainsman

DUI Arrests in the City of Auburn feb. 2 – feb. 5, 2012 ■ Brandon T. Crippler, 22, Montgomery, Ala. Wire Road Feb. 2, 12:20 a.m.

■ Griffin M. Speight, 19, Montgomery, Ala. South College Street at South Donahue Drive Feb. 2, 5:06 a.m.

■ Jessie L. Pink, Sr., 62, Opelika, Ala. North Donahue Drive at Carlisle Drive Feb. 3, 12:40 a.m.

■ Rodney S. Caldwell, 45, Dallas Texas East Glenn Avenue at Dogwood Drive Feb. 4, 11:50 p.m.

■ Jeffrey P. Kelley, 28, Valley, Ala. Opelika Road at Dean Road Feb. 5, 3:32 a.m.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Crime Reports for Feb. 2 – feb. 6, 2012 Feb. 6 — Teague Court Theft of CNJ vehicle brake rotors Feb. 3 — Cloverbrooke Circle Burglary of one 12 gal. pump shotgun; one .30-06 caliber rifle with scope, one MacBook Pro and assorted costume jewelry.

Feb. 4 — West Longleaf Drive Theft of one Ford Edge, one semi-automatic pistol and several clothing items.

Feb. 4 — East Magnolia Avenue Theft of one brown Coach purse, one iPhone 4, one green Otterbox phone case, one $75 American Express gift card, $16 cash and one TigerCard

Feb. 5 — East University Drive Theft of one lawn trimmer and one lawn mower Feb. 2 — West Longleaf Drive Theft of $2,015 — Reports provided by Auburn Department of Public Safety

Board » From A1

Campus Events Feb. 9–Feb. 15

Multicultural Center Lunch & Learn Series: Ann Jordan Reynolds Panel discussion on the theme, “Increasing AIDS Awareness in Vulnerable Communities.”

When Feb. 9, 11:45 a.m.– 1 p.m.

Where 2223 Student Center All Majors Career Expo Auburn students and alumni are invited to network with recruiters seeking interns and full-time employees from business, liberal arts and other non-technical disciplines.

AU Study Abroad &Passport Fair Representatives will be available to discuss faculty-led programs abroad, programs through other universities, and third-party programs around the globe.

When Feb. 15, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Where Haley Center lobby

PINK Kickball Campus Recreation’s Intramural Sports presents new “PINK Kickball,” sponsored

by Victoria’s Secret.

When Feb 12, 2– 4:30 p.m.

Where Intramural fields

When Feb. 9, 3–7 p.m.

Where Auburn Hotel & Dixon Conference Center

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If You Can Dream It...

Build-A-Burger Contest!

Calling All Burger Culinary Creatives!

Just go online to: http://www.niffersplace.com/BuildBurger.html and fill out the entry form with your special burger’s ingredients and contact information. Niffer’s cooks will build and judge the burgers that are entered on one special night in Auburn and one night at the Lake.

We will then pick the 12 best submissions and feature each burger one month as our “burger of the month.” The creator of the chosen burger will win a FREE burger during their month and get credit on a special display board as the “B.S.” (Burger Sculptor). A “Burger Hotties” calendar will be created from the pictures of the winning burgers! Give us your best shot!

Dumas looks forward to serving Auburn in his new position.

“There are financial challenges with a $400 million deficit in the general fund,” Dumas said. “It’s going to be a continued challenge to decrease the total deficit.

“The Board of Trustees has continued emphasis on collaboration and partnership in research and grants and projects that will provide funding, encourage alumni giving, endowed professorships—those types of things that are raised through annual giving.”

Last May, Sen. Del Marsh made a complaint concerning the trustee selection

by Bentley.

“The time line and the lack of transparency in the process was the main problem,” said Derek Trotter, communications director for Marsh. “There were just fewer than 200 nominees who applied to fill the nine positions, and the committee voted within 10 days to fill the positions.

“Sen. Marsh believed it was rushed and there was a lack of transparency in interviewing those applicants. Sen. Marsh appreciates the selection com-

Election » From A1

There are 13 candidates running for the positions of president, vice president, treasurer, and Miss Auburn.

Sixty-five minor candidates are running for other positions in SGA. “This last week before campaign week begins is a critical point when many things such as billboards, gimmicks and T-shirts all come together,” said Cary Bayless, SGA president candidate and junior in English with a Spanish minor.

“Its great seeing everyone’s hard work paying off as we check things off our list.”

Challenge » From A1

lic Health, Sustainability, Civic Engagement and Volunteering, Education and Poverty and Hunger.

Osterlund said events sponsored by The Challenge will fall under the categories of “see, learn and experience.”

“So the first theme would be ‘see,’ which is providing provocative concepts and things that capture your attention and kind of get you

Rachel Cooper / Writer

Votes are tallied by the Trustee Selection Committee’s staff Monday in Montgomery.

mittee revisiting the process and taking a more deliberative approach this year.”

Last May Sen. Tom Whatley, who represents Auburn in the Senate, introduced a bill to stagger the trustees’ terms and bring the districts up to date with current congressional districts.

“Under the old structure the board was represented by members who came from Congressional districts in the

Campaign week should be easier because people will understand that you have to be somewhere for campaigning said Will McCartney, SGA president candidate and senior in ecological engineering and economics with two minors in sustainability and hunger studies.

“The campaigning process has definitely been busy, but it’s a great process to go through since you learn a lot,” McCartney said.

Balancing school and campaigning can be a challenging feat to accomplish, Bayless said.

“Campaigning makes you become the most orga-

nized person you know,” Bayless said. “Making sure that school comes first is the most important.”

Bayless said he is running for SGA President because the Lord has blessed him with this opportunity.

“Staying grounded in that truth will keep me steady throughout the entire process,” Bayless said.

McCartney said he wants to aim for the students who do not normally vote.

“I don’t want to just target the people in SGA,” McCartney said.

“It’s definitely important because the student government is the voice of the entire

student body.”

SGA executive officers, the elections directorate and the elections board remain neutral throughout the campaign process, Simeroth said.

Although the elections staff of SGA stays neutral during elections, the rest of the student body can get involved and even run for office.

“These are the people that represent all students,” Simeroth said.

Simeroth’s tips on running a winning campaign are short and simple: “Run a fair and honest campaign.”

For more information on candiates and elections go to auburn.edu/elections.

thinking like, ‘What’s this talking about? Like, I’m interested in this,’” Osterlund said. “Then ‘learn,’ which is like educational pieces and speaking arrangements and things of that nature. And then ‘experience’ would be like simulations.

I think one of the biggest pillars of our Auburn culture is blind privilege and just not being experienced or having knowledge or something just because you’ve never been a part of it. So having a simulation where you actually take

part in something.”

Some events sponsored by The Challenge include a week of service, a classroom simulation, a “how to use your skills” panel and several movie viewings.

Osterlund said all the events will culminate in a summit March 2–3 that is being organized primarily by Warner.

“And the summit is really like, ‘What do I do now? So I’ve been gifted with all this, I understand and I think it’s

cool and I really want to get involved, so what do I do?’”

Osterlund said. “We’ve got like a business expo. We’ve got the Global Poverty Project coming to speak. We’re going to do a couple breakout sessions.”

Osterlund said he has enjoyed the process of planning The Challenge.

“That was really my objective, was to work with a bunch of passionate people on something that they care about, and it’s been that and more,” Osterlund said.

Live, learn, and work

with a community overseas.

Tuesday, February 14th Info Table

Student Center

11:30am - 2:00pm

1960s,” Trotter said. “Sen. Whatley’s bill will tie the nominees to the 2010 district line.

“Terms will be staggered so we won’t have nine trustees coming up for nomination at one time.

“The goal is there is no harm done to Auburn’s operation structure and to make sure there are enough board members to operate.”

Info Session

Student Center, rm 2218 Starts @ 7pm

Peace Corps is actively seeking Auburn University’s students and alumni who are interested in gaining international experience.

Meet with your regional recruiter on campus to hear about his volunteer experience, have your questions answered, and receive tips to become a more competitive applicant.

Peace Corps still has agriculture and environment positions departing in 2012. Send Mike your resume or scan the below QR code for immediate consideration.

Editorial Miranda dollarhide Editor-in-chief Managing editor Madeline hall Nikolas Markopoulos Copy editor Nick Bowman Associate copy editor Assistant copy editor Laura Hobbs Photo editor Rebecca Croomes Assistant photo Christen Harned Assistant photo Danielle Lowe Campus editor Chelsea harvey Campus reporter Lane Jones Campus reporter Becky Hardy Intrigue editor Kate Jones Intrigue reporter Hayley Blair Community editor Kristen Oliver Alison McFerrin Community reporter Sports editor Coleman McDowell Sports reporter Robert E. Lee Sports reporter Patrick Tighe Design team leader Sarah Newman Design team Rachel Suhs Melody Kitchens Online team leader Online team Victoria Rodgers Nick Bowman

Opinions editor

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The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID Student Union Suite 1111 Auburn, Al 36849 Editor: 334.844.9021 News: 334.844.9109 General Manager: 334.844.9101 Advertising: 334.844.4130 Miranda Dollarhide Editor-in-chief editor@theplainsman.com Jenny Rikelman Advertising Manager admanager@theplainsman. com Judy Riedl General Manager gm@theplainsman.com Kim Rape Office Manager Mailing Address 255 Heisman Drive, Suite 1111 Auburn, Al 36849

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Christen Harned / Assistant Photo Editor

Hilary Johnson, junior in radio, television and film and managing editor for the Glomerata, looks over pages of the yearbook. The Glom will spend $192,500 of its budget this year to print color pages.

Glomerata staff benefits from equipment upgrade This week, The Auburn Plainsman continues its examination of Student Activity Projects Heather Allen Writer

While the Glomerata, Auburn University ’s annual yearbook, uses its funding each year primarily for printing 12,000 copies to distribute to students, faculty, staff and alumni, it found room in its budget this year for some needed upgrades.

“This year was one of our big years in terms of getting new stuff,” said Taylor Henderson, photo editor. “We needed new lighting equipment and new semi-professional cameras, which are expensive.”

This added cost will greatly enhance the photo quality of the yearbook, Henderson said.

The photo staff tested the new equipment by taking group photographs.

“We were able to take a picture out in front of Cater Lawn, where it was virtually pitch black, and illuminate it like they are in a room somewhere,” said Taylor Hardy.

Glom editor-in-chief. “You will be able to tell a huge difference between the photos from this year and last year.”

Funds were also set aside to purchase new computer equipment.

“We also just updated all of our computer software this year to get everybody on the right track,” Hardy said. “We are actually ahead of the publisher on that so it will benefit

Campus A3

The Auburn Plainsman

2011-2012 Budget Allotment

$221,241.24 Increase from last year

$13,204.79 us in the long run.”

Each year, the Glom’s budget is organized into line items to ensure that all aspects of the yearbook have adequate funding. The categories include advertising, Greek composites, printing, publicity, staff training, travel and events and services.

“The majority of our budget does go into printing,” Hardy said. “We do a 496-page book and most of it is in color. We do a lot with the cover, the insheets and other stuff like that to really make it pop.”

This year, the Glom’s budget was $221,241.24, out of which $192,500 was set aside for color printing on the proper paper, Hardy said.

While the Glom uses its equipment to take independent photos, advertising is necessary to inform students to come get their pictures taken.

The yearbook paid for advertising on Tiger Transit buses while hanging fliers and signs around campus encouraging students to participate, Hardy said.

Editorial staff members attend conferences and work-

shops in the summer to prepare for the upcoming year.

“One of my big things this year was that I really wanted to get everyone on staff involved and excited about it,” Hardy said. “I am glad that you can walk through the office and ask anybody what our theme is and they could spout it off to you like that.”

The Glom also hosts a pageant fundraiser every fall that is open to all students.

“At one point it was a huge fundraiser, and now it has become a tradition,” Hardy said.

“Everybody gets so excited about it, and we love to put it on.”

Last year, the Miss Glom pageant raised more than $1,500 to boost the budget.

Staff applications for the Glom will be available in August. All students are encouraged to apply.

“We want anyone and everyone,” Hardy said. “Anyone who will come and participate, give enough time and put forth some effort. Anybody can learn the software if you just spend some time with it.”

The 2011–12 Glom will be distributed in April.

Sustain-A-Bowl has campus-wide impact Becky Hardy Campus Beat Reporter

Sustain-A-Bowl, started three years ago by the Office of Sustainability, involves all on-campus residence halls competing to be the most “green.”

“The main goal of Sustain-A-Bowl is to try to decrease primarily electricity and water usage,” said Jennifer Morse, communication and outreach coordinator for the Office of Sustainability. “We also want to increase recycling as well, but overall waste reduction.”

Auburn’s efforts to reduce energy use have been recognized by the Princeton Review’s annual Green Guide, which compiles a list of the most eco-friendly campuses across the nation.

“In the last three years Auburn has saved about $23,000 through Sustain-A-Bowl, and that’s only within the residence halls within the month

of February,” Morse said.

This year’s goal is to decrease energy use by 10 percent in every residence hall, Morse said, adding that she wants to expand the idea to more than just on-campus living.

“We’re trying to make it more a community-wide endeavor,” she said. “If everyone can decrease (resource use) by 10 percent this year, then we’ll get a plaque saying ‘Residence Life 2011–2012’ to symbolize a sort of campus-wide record breaker competition.

We’re trying to make it so everyone has to work together to beat the year before.”

Auburn has signed up for the Sustainability Tracking Assesment & Rating System, which provides a benchmark for sustainability initiatives and was developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

“They look at all different

components of sustainability,” Morse said. “We have a whole year to rate ourselves on certain things like human resources, facilities and energy. So we are in the process of going through the system this year.”

The dorms’ resident assistants also have activities to motivate students to conserve.

“We’re having a craft night and holding a competition between floors in the hall to see which floor can recycle the most bottles and cans,” said Jennifer Bruce, RA for Keller Hall and graduate student in school counseling.

Morse hopes to instill yearround student sustainability.

“It would be nice if the voice of the students could say, ‘Hey, we want more renewable resources on campus,’ because Alabama only uses about 1 percent of renewable resources,” Morse said.

Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System Scoring categories 1. Planning, administration and engagement 2. Education and research 3. Innovation 4. Operations

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Carol’s Hallmark 300 North Dean Road “Kroger Shopping Center” Auburn, Alabama 334-887-7265

Campus A4

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Professor challenges conventional view of law, society Austin Lankford Writer

Whether he is teaching, posting on his blog or observing the world around him, Ted Becker, professor of political science, is one who never settles for society’s norms.

“He is the most dedicated professor I have met in 40 years of teaching, and I have an amazing amount of respect for him,” said Gerard Gryski, professor of political science.

Becker, a New Jersey native, received undergraduate and law degrees at Rutgers University, but ultimately decided that practicing law was not for him. He said he disliked law school and found it to be boring.

“I did not want the life of an attorney,” he said. “I saw my dad do it my whole life, and I decided that I did not want to sell my brain for money.”

After earning his doctorate at Northwestern Universi-

ty in pursuit of a career in education, Becker became chair of the political science department at the University of Hawaii, where he taught for 24 years.

During his tenure at Hawaii, Becker left the school for approximately a year and half to be a visiting professor at New York University.

While at NYU he received a call from the University of Hawaii’s president asking him to help start a new law school at the college. He agreed and returned to Hawaii to work on the project.

“The group of people that I was with thought the law school that used the old methods was obsolete,” Becker said.

“We thought lawyers needed to learn other skills that included social science in order to become better policy makers and things of that nature.”

Becker said his team immediately received a lot of resis-

tance from the Hawaii Bar Association president.

“He wanted Hawaii to have a law school like all the other ones in the country,” Becker said. “He did not want to be a part of an experiment.”

The HBA ultimately won out and the idea was abandoned, so Becker went back to teaching political science at Hawaii until he moved to Auburn to head the University’s political science department.

“I was beginning to feel trapped on an island that was 3,000 miles away from the mainland,” Becker said.

Becker has earned the respect of his colleagues at Auburn.

“He is a very entertaining and intelligent man,” said Phillis Hodge, who has worked with Becker at Auburn for 21 years. “He knows a lot about politics and the world.”

Becker has taught at Auburn for 24 years and uses his

blog, last-lost-empire.com, to teach and explain his views.

“I consider myself a democratic theorist and activist,” Becker said. “I believe in democracy and empowering the people.”

Becker said there is a common theme around the world now of massive protests against government.

“It seems that the world is on a path of self-destruction and people are clamoring for change,” Becker said. “The people do not want to see those in power continue to make decisions without consultation or serious discussion anymore.”

Becker also seeks to challenge his students to break away from how they were conditioned to think and listen to other points of view.

“I feel that many students don’t take their studies seriously enough,” Becker said.

“That is why I like to teach and challenge my students.”

Christen Harned / Assistant Photo Editor

Ted Becker, professor of political science, is known for challenging tradition views of law and political science.

Black Knowledge Bowl encourages understanding of history Lane Jones Campus Beat Reporter

There’s one more bowl game left this season.

The Black Knowledge Bowl, taking place Feb. 29, is a game show-style event designed to excite students about black history.

“Our hope is to get a lot of teams from a lot of demographic groups to come together and compete,” said Shakeer Abdullah, director of multicultural affairs at the Multicultural Center. “It’s going to be a way to hopefully get people engaged in the things that we’re doing across campus.

“We’re really excited to be able to highlight black history in this unique way.”

This marks the first year the Black Knowledge Bowl has been held at Auburn.

“It’s actually something that was in place a couple years ago,” Abdullah said. “One of our graduate students was working with some of the local teen groups and we said, ‘Why not bring it to the university level and see what we can do in terms of interest and engagement?’

“So far, so good. We’ve got about four teams that have agreed to compete and there are four more spots left open.”

Abdullah and Abe Williams, Black Student Union vice president and sophomore in public relations, said this competition has the potential to reach

more people than other events common during black history month, such as guest speakers.

“I think it will draw more people in,” Williams said, “Speakers can offer a great perspective, but this game atmosphere can be an event you go to where it’s OK to have fun while learning about black history. Speakers and competition will both be informative, but we feel like this will be a bit more energetic. We know people love competition.”

Abdullah said the game will be a hybrid of debate teams and “Jeopardy.” Teams will be paired up in 15-minute rounds, and the last two teams standing will compete for the title.

“It’s going to be questions

“

The main purpose is to highlight the range and diversity of black history and help folks understand that black history is American history.”

—Shakeer Abdullah director of multicultural affairs

about history, culture, literature, maybe some current events,” Abdullah said. “It’s going to be pretty wide-ranging.

It’s not going to have specific

categories, but you may have a line of questions that focuses on women in black history or poets or authors.”

Williams said the winners will be able to host an event with the Black Student Union.

“It benefits a lot of the organizations that can’t afford to hold an event on their own,” he said. “It’s a way of helping and supporting other organizations as well. Hopefully it will bring these organizations closer together and give them a chance to work together.”

Eddie Walton, Black Student Union president and junior in health administration, said he hopes this event will unite students of all backgrounds.

“Even though it is black history, it’s not just for AfricanAmericans,” Walton said. “We want the whole campus to come together to partake in this event.”

Abdullah said the Black Knowledge Bowl is a step forward in recognizing the influence of black history in the nation’s past.

“The main purpose is to highlight the range and diversity of black history and help folks understand that black history is American history,” Abdullah said. “The more we understand that, the more impactful events like this become and people start to realize that black history is happening 365 days a year.”

Community

A5

www.theplainsman.com

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Community

Statewide fundraiser collects $800,000 for nonprofits Alison McFerrin Community beat reporter

Alabama charities are richer after a Feb. 2 statewide fundraising effort.

Alabama Gives Day raised more than $800,000 and connected more than 8,000 donors to nonprofits like United Way, Boy Scouts of America, the American Cancer Society and the Humane Society, as well as smaller local charities.

“I was very careful to never tell anybody what we expected, because we had no idea how to gauge this,” said Sharon Tinsley, president of the Alabama Broadcasters Association.

The ABA and the Alabama Association of Nonprofits—Razoo providing the online platform—put the event together to bring 1,093 nonprofits

into the spotlight.

“We were very, very pleased,” said Russell Jackson, manager for the inaugural Alabama Gives Day. “The media did a tremendous job to make sure the word got out, (and) the nonprofits that particpated did a great job.”

Jackson said they are still collecting data from nonprofits regarding donations that were made in person and the number of first-time donors.

“This one day raises awareness for all those groups, and we want to remind people to give back to them,” Tinsley said.

But while nonprofits at the top of the leaderboard saw totals greater than $10,000, others gained little to nothing from the fundraiser. Of the

charities listed, 178 show nothing raised on the leaderboard.

One of those was Keep Opelika Beautiful.

“We really didn’t promote it like we probably should have,” said Tipi Miller, KOB director. “It just kind of snuck up on me.”

Miller said it might have been better, at least for KOB, to have more advanced notice or to have the event at a different time of year.

“February and March and getting into April are our busiest times of the year,” Miller said. “It was difficult to just promote one more thing.”

Tinsley said the date is one major component being discussed as the next event is planned.

“We’re going to look at the timing

» See Gives, A6

Holy grail comes to Opelika in ‘Spamalot’

Beth Vaughan donates her time, talent to children in need

Susan Ann Cook Writer

Kristen Oliver Community Editor

Beth Vaughan’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering trained her to have a sharp eye for facts, which she uses in an unexpected way.

Vaughan said she has the mentality of an engineer, which helps her in her role as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.

“I have the old, black-and-white mindset that there’s not a lot of gray,” she said. “There’s not a lot of gray in my life or in my work because everything’s either right or wrong. It’s black and white. It’s either above this number or below this number.”

CASA volunteers are called on in custody disputes and other cases involving children, and they work solely to find the best possible situation for the child.

“We go through 30 hours of training,” Vaughan said. “There will be a case that comes before the judge in the family court … A case will come before him and we don’t know what his rationale is for wanting to put a CASA on a case, but he will issue an order that says, ‘Dear CASA, I want one of your volunteers on this case.’”

CASA volunteers like Vaughan are given access to records that aren’t usually accessible to the public.

Vaughan said once given a case she meets with the Department of Human Resources, the attorneys and the guardian ad lidem, the child’s attorney.

“We advocate for the child,” she said. “I don’t necessarily care what happens to momma except if it’s in the child’s best interest to be reunited with mom or dad.”

… so that we can maximize that effort and make the biggest impact,” Tinsley said.

Fundraising, however, is not the primary goal, Jackson said.

“A give day is not a fundraiser,” Jackson said. “That’s not the purpose of a give day … (It’s) really to have one day of an awareness factor unlike ever seen before to give nonprofits a platform to introduce their organizations.”

Other states have large fundraising efforts as well. Colorado Gives Day raised $12.7 million in its most recent effort, and Minnesota’s Give to the Max raised more than $13 million.

Tinsley said they were not discour-

Kristen Oliver / Community Editor

Beth Vaughan, court appointed special advocate, volunteers to take on cases involving children in the Auburn community.

Sarah Sanger, junior in elementary education, said Vaughan has the necessary temperament to be a CASA. “Beth is tough,” Sanger said. “I don’t think she’d ever be afraid to ask the hard questions, to hear the things you don’t really want to hear.”

Lauren Smith, senior in pre-med, was a CASA child. “(Beth) is immensely compassionate, unyielding, creative, and she shows love in so many ways,” Smith said. “She definitely pulls out all the stops when she pursues something, and that’s reflected in her work with CASA when she researches every aspect of the cases she receives.”

Vaughan was assigned her first case in September of last year. She

currently has two cases, a 13-year-old and a 9-month-old, both of whom are in foster care.

“They’re completely different cases,” she said. “A 13-year-old can tell you what she wants. A 9-month-old just looks at you.”

Vaughan said working these cases has required a different skill set.

“Some of your parents are substance abusers, some are physical, some are sexual,” she said. “You have to be willing to listen to it all. Your insides just want to strangle them, but you can’t. All you can do is listen.

That’s all you’re there to do.”

Sanger said she sometimes doesn’t

» See People, A6

If you are a fan of Monty Python, or just looking for a different way to spend an evening, The Arts Center of East Alabama’s showing of “Spamalot” could be the perfect way to spend next Wednesday night.

For one night only, the Monty Python musical “Spamalot” will be showing Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts on South Railroad Avenue in Opelika.

“We usually have eight season events which range in diversity from the internationally recognized BBC Symphony Orchestra to legendary actors such as Hal Holbrook portraying author Mark Twain,” said Kyle Gassiott from The Arts Center of East Alabama.

“Spamalot” isn’t the only nationally touring production to visit the area. The center has also hosted Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific,” Gassiott said.

According to the musical’s official website, MontyPythonSpamalot. com, the play was “lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail.’”

Guests are invited to experience the altered script and join King Arthur, Sir Lancelot and the Knights of the Round Table as they perform the Tony-award-winning musical directed by Academy Award-winner Mike Nichols.

“It really kind of pokes fun at the legend of King Arthur,” said Jacob Smith in an interview with Gassiott for Troy Public Radio’s Community Focus. Smith portrays Sir Dennis Galahad, Black Knight, and Father in the musical.

Eric Idle, an original member of the British comedy group Monty Python, wrote the book for “Spamalot” and teamed up with John Du Prez to create the all-new musical numbers.

According to Idle’s biography

Show info

The Monty Python musical “Spamalot” will be showing one night only, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Opelika Center for Performing Arts. on the musical’s website, the two have been working together for more than 30 years, and both won a Grammy award for their efforts in “Spamalot.”

“The writing is so amazing, you can’t help but love it,” Smith said.

The actors will be traveling across the continent, performing in Clemson, S.C., the night before their East Alabama debut. From Opelika, the production will continue its North American tour, ending in San Francisco in April.

Tour dates and ticket information can be found on the musical’s website.

The Opelika Center for the Performing Arts has 1,100 seats, twothirds of which are for season subscribers, Gassiott said.

“The arts association is very fortunate to enjoy a large amount of support from the East Alabama community,” Gassiott said. “Broadway musicals such as ‘Spamalot’ often sell out the house in single ticket sales.”

For more information about the show, contact The Arts Center of East Alabama at 334-749-8105, or visit their website at eastalabamaarts.org.

Even if you aren’t a fan of Monty Python, Smith said there is something for everyone in the show.

“There is literally something for everyone in this show,” Smith said.

“Whether you’re a Python fan or not, whether you’re a theater fan or not—it really doesn’t matter.

We have every kind of person that comes to see the show and everyone enjoys it. Just about everyone comes away whistling a tune.”

Local art organization throws second annual masked event Kristen Oliver Community Editor

The Layman Group will be hosting its biggest social event of the year Feb. 10 at the Event Center Downtown in Opelika. The semi-formal dress code requires one specific piece: a mask.

A two-part event, the Gala will begin at 6 p.m. and the Masquerade at 8:30 p.m.

“The Gala is the first part—more formal, more expensive seats,” said Channing Broderick, assistant to the director of The Layman Group. “That’s when the speaker will be speaking. After, at the masquerade, is when everyone will loosen their tie. That’s when the party crowd comes in.”

Broderick said the night is for fundraising and raising awareness.

“The Gala, if it’s not gaining the funds that night, it’s putting the seeds within the members of the community who can make those changes, who can go and talk to other people,” Waller said. “The Gala is for us to sow our seeds for the future. The Masquerade is the same way, but on a lighter scale. To really let people know, ‘Wow,

this is a really cool organization that threw this event for us. I think I want to follow them the rest of this year.’”

The last Masquerade garnered nearly a third of the organization’s social network following. Waller hopes for as good a turnout this year.

The Layman Group has been a part of the community for four years.

“This is our second official full season, but we have been around doing underground things,” Waller said.

“We’ve been doing things before we got the space in downtown Auburn.

We were The Layman Arts a long time ago, but we transformed into The Layman Group.”

Waller said TLG is “the Jerry McGuire of arts organizations.”

“If you are an artist or a member of the community, we want to take these artists and put them into great situations in their profession, their career, what they do,” he said. “As if we’re an agent, and that’s a blue-chip running back coming out of high school, we want to put them in the best situation.”

Waller said they strive to improve

Discount info

Mention The Auburn Plainsman and receive 20 percent off the price of a ticket. how art is viewed by the community.

“There’s this tunnel in which art is getting to the community,” he said.

“We want to take that tunnel, take a baseball bat and crack the heck of out it so there is no tunnel, just this openair passage of the arts to the people of the community. We want to make sure there’s much more exposure, appreciation, advocacy, excitement about the arts.”

Waller said art isn’t just paintings or sculptures in a museum.

“We’re talking about the feeling you get when you are around people who appreciate the same thing and who love other people with other cultures and thought processes and openmindedness,” he said. “When we say the arts we mean much more than just what you’re looking at. It’s the whole cause and effect.”

TLG consists of 10–11 people, in-

Contributed

Partygoers at last year’s Masquerade wore simple and elaborate masks with their semi-formal dress. This year’s Gala begins at 6 p.m., and the Masquerade begins at 8:30 at the Event Center Downtown in Opelika.

cluding four to five directors and six to seven student ambassadors like Broderick.

“It is small,” Broderick said. “We’re very close-knit.”

Broderick said it would be impossible for the group to function without the number they have. She and other ambassadors and directors have been

planning the décor and events for the night, which will include a West African drummer, live painters, poet Sarah Kay, DJ Disco Chris and local food.

Tickets are $25 each or $40 per couple. Waller is offering a discount for readers of The Plainsman: mention the newspaper and receive 20 percent off the ticket price.

Community A6

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Loachapoka contest takes the cake Alison McFerrin

to share the recipe, and the cake must be baked by the A 100-year-old cake recipe person entering the contest.

“These cake recipes can will be the recipe for success at the second annual Heritage come from anywhere,” said Cake Contest at Pioneer Park Joanna Hoit, chair of the historical committee. “There is Museum in Loachapoka.

The contest will take place no restriction about where Saturday and is open to bak- they come from, what couners ages 12 and older with a $5 try they come from.”

Kerry Fannon, senior in nuregistration fee. The cake recipe must either be at least100 trition and dietetics, said she years old or have been passed plans on entering the contest.

“It’s a nice community down through three generaevent,” Fannon said. “I think tions of the baker’s family.

“These are cakes made food is always a good way to from scratch the way your get people to talk and make grandmother did it,” said Bob new friends.”

Fannon hasn’t chosen her Taunton, museum CLOTHING manager.

“These cake baking kits from recipe yet.

“I might go for some kind the grocery store are not alof old Italian recipe,” she said. lowed. This is real stuff.”

The cakes will be judged The baker must be willing Community beat reporter

on taste, authenticity and appearance by a panel of judges, and $1 slices will be on sale after the contest.

“I suggest (people) bring a container so they can buy lots of slices and take them home and put them in their freezer,” Hoit said. “And then, the next time you have guests, voila.”

Proceeds from the day will benefit the cookhouse on the museum grounds.

“I think that people who love to bake love to see people appreciate the results of their work,” Hoit said. “People who are cake munchers will definitely have a good time.”

Along with the contest, there will be a Valentine-making station for children, entertainment will be provided and

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» From A5

Rebecca Croomes

the museum will be open.

Registration forms are available at Panera Bread, Auburn Public Library and the

People » From A5

know how Vaughan does it.

“I think you have to be really level-headed and fair to be a CASA, but at the same time you have to be compassionate,” Sanger said. “I think Beth has to balance both, and in situations like this it can’t be easy.”

Smith said she owes a part of who she is today to CASA volunteers like Vaughan. “(CASA) moved me into a safe custody situation,” she said. “It helped my family heal grave and ugly wounds, and it removed us from further danger and corruption.

While these are all wonderful things, I see the rewards I have gained from this program to be so much greater.

“Because of CASA I gained a renewed faith in people after a time in my life when I couldn’t trust anyone. I learned that staying quiet

Auburn Chamber of Commerce, or online at leecountyhistoricalsociety.org. Pre-registration is encouraged. about domestic abuse is never the answer, and that even when my voice was too small there was always someone who could fight for me.”

CASA volunteers can stay with a child’s case for years.

“Until the child is in a permanent home, out of foster care, that’s when my services are no longer needed,” Vaughan said. “That doesn’t mean I can’t keep up with them.”

Vaughan said she hopes to stay connected with the children she works with, and she’s confident she will see them settled in a safe and permanent home.

“I was at Sips ‘n Strokes the other day and we did a painting with a big, funky heart with the word ‘love’ in it,” she said. “It’s really cute.

I’m going to give that to my 13-year-old when she finds a home. When she’s where she’s meant to be, she gets that painting.”

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aged by the disparity between Alabama and Colorado or Minnesota.

“It was the third time that they had each done it, and one did it in November and one in early December, when people are in the giving mood,” Tinsley said. “(In February) people just got their credit card bills … everybody’s thinking about preparing their taxes … and I think that the fact that with all those things considered that we raised almost $1 million in a day is phenomenal.”

Jackson said another possible factor affecting the amount raised is Alabama Gives Day didn’t push matching donations from businesses.

Tinsley said they may promote the texting option more in next year’s event. This year, texting was mostly pushed by individual nonprofits who chose to use it—like East Alabama Youth for Christ.

“We didn’t raise much,” said Kevin Flannagan, executive director of Youth for Christ. “We were really pushing the phone texting and giving, and apparently AT&T wasn’t working until late in the afternoon, and so we missed out on a lot of that.”

But Flannagan said the event was valuable, even though they didn’t raise as much as they would have liked.

“The reality is, it just helped visibility,” Flannagan said.

“The community got to know us better … It would be worth it for that if we didn’t raise any money.”

Tinsley said they have high expectations for next year’s fundraising day.

“I think we’ve put the event on the map, so to speak,” Tinsley said. “I think next time around more people will be aware (and) more nonprofits will participate.”

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Opinions Thursday, February 9, 2012

A7 www.theplainsman.com

Community

Our View

Contraception issue proves divisive First Amendment protects Catholic institutions against government mandates Forcing Catholic institutions to purchase insurance plans that cover contraception and morning-after pills isn’t a cultural issue. It’s not an issue of employers doing right by their employees. It’s not even about their employees at all. This is about the Bill of Rights. This is about the right of Catholics to freely practice their religion.

Contraception—the use and provision of—is contrary to the Catholic faith. Put simply, if a Catholic or Catholic institution were to practice their religion freely and according to doctrine, they would neither use contraception nor provide it for others.

The First Amendment prohibits the government from making any law “respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The language is clear, and it obviously prohibits the government from forcing Catholics to offer servic-

es they consider to be against their faith.

There is a stark difference between political opinions and God-given rights. It is both untrue and disrespectful to our founding documents to claim an opinion as a right.

Health care isn’t a right. Birth control isn’t a right. We believe the Obama administration is trampling the Constitution by reaching far beyond the bounds established for the federal government.

That America is being forced to have this conversation at all is discouraging. Beyond being unconstitutional, this mandate ignores the opinions of millions of Catholic voters and the organizations they belong to or work for. It is irresponsible of Obama to disregard the Catholic faith because it doesn’t mesh with his political vision.

It is equally disturbing to see the Department of Health and Human Services further

Your view: University should be tolerant of smokers We like to call ourselves the Auburn University family. In my experience this is how family works: my wife, a nonsmoker, married me, a tobacco consumer. During the early days of my marriage I was allowed to smoke everywhere in my house. At home things changed, and currently I am allowed to smoke only in one room which is not connected to the ventilation system of the house.

My wife tolerates this behavior because I am a good provider and she doesn’t wish to make my life miserable. When I was hired at Auburn University, everybody was aware that I smoked. Once every hour, I step outside and smoke a cigarette at a designated area at the vet school. This activity takes me about five minutes and allows me to relax and think about ongoing work.

I believe that my colleagues at work will concede that I am a productive member of the faculty. If the AU family implements a campus-wide smoking ban, smokers will resort to smoking in their cars, often with their engines on—for air conditioning or heating during extremes in temperature—thus reducing their productivity and further polluting the environment.

Besides, it should be pointed out that there are numerous cultural behaviors/habits/conducts that require tolerance. Thus, same as at home, I strongly believe that the Auburn University family should respect and tolerate diversity and allow smoking in designated outdoor areas. This is distinctly relevant, as no scientific evidence exists that would support the notion that outside smoking is harmful to nonsmokers.

Haroldo Toro professor, pathobiology

converted into a tool to advance political agendas. The medical field should not be a talking point for the campaign trail, and to see it used as such again is disappointing. This mandate has nothing to do with health and everything to do with politics.

The issue pertains to more than just Catholics. Protestants should object to the morning-after pill provided by these insurance plans.

More than 80 percent of Americans belong to a faith.

Today the issue is with Catholics—tomorrow it will be a different group. If this administration is willing to place birth control and morningafter pills above the right to practice religion freely, where can we suppose they’ll draw the line?

We believe Americans must stand up for both their constitutional protections and their faith today. They may not have the option tomorrow.

Catholic institutions not free to project faith on employees The federal government’s mandate in the Affordable Care Act requiring all employers to provide health insurance that covers contraception obviously doesn’t require Catholics to use any form of contraception. It requires all employers—Catholic or not— to buy insurance plans that cover contraception for their employers.

It is because the government is only requiring employers to provide the medication for others that keeps this legislation from violating the First Amendment. It’s against Catholic doctrine to use contraception, not to provide it for others. Catholic institutions that have objected are ignoring the clear distinction between providing the service for others and personal use of that service. There is no issue with the legislation, as Catholics are able to adhere to their faith by not using contraception themselves.

We believe the Catholic institutions have a responsibility to provide the care their employees need. Medicines like birth control are used for more than simple contraception. They’re prescribed to women suffering from intense menstrual pain or lengthy menstrations that make dayto-day life unecessarily hard.

That Catholics would deny their employees free access to these necessary medications shows how behind the faith actually is. The Mormon faith left polygamy behind when it became clear society wouldn’t tolerate the practice. Contraception has become an accepted and useful medicine in our modern society. It’s time for the Catholic Church to abandon its judgmental and outdated position against contraception and adopt a stance more accepting of modern medicine.

We also believe the Catholic institutions objecting to

Black History Month time to remember American values jacob Dean president, college democrats

As most of us know, February is Black History Month. It is a month to celebrate and remember black leaders of America. It is a month to remember men and women such as George Washington Carver, W. E. B. Dubois and Rosa Parks who faced and overcame enormous challenges and prospered in the face of adversity.

While February is a time to remember great African-American men and women and their impact on American society, I would also argue that it provides us an opportunity to look back on the struggle of the black population to achieve full citizenship, to assess the current state of affairs,

and to look ahead to their challenges.

I have lived my entire life in the Deep South. My father grew up in a segregated school until he began high school some 40 years ago, which is not that far passed.

The Jim Crow era still has an effect on our nation today. Not in the form of two separate bathrooms or two different schools in the same neighborhood housing two different races, but in the form of the alarmingly high rate that black high school students drop out compared to their white classmates. It lives on in the form of the high percentage of African-Americans in prison and the high unemployment rate of African-Americans. Jim Crow might be outlawed today, but its effects are still felt.

America began this country with a Declaration of Independence that said “all men are creat-

ed equal” while slaves still picked the cotton and tended the livestock. America built the White House with slave labor. It took the African-American population many years to gain citizenship, voting rights and basic equalities but they preserved and won them.

Today their work and perseverance has paid off, and an African American man is the president of the United States, the leader of the free world.

I call upon you to never forget the racial injustices of our past.

To do so, we risk reverting back to the immoral ways of our history. Instead, we must always be conscious of our history and be thankful that as a people we were able to discontinue the depraved and unjust practices that plagued our young country for its first 175 years. Our country is not great because it is perfect; it is great because it always seeks perfection.

Mixed messages on Arab Spring a glaring example of bad leadership Nik markopoulos copy @ theplainsman. com

In case you weren’t aware, there’s some shit going down in the Middle East, and somebody better tell the president.

In late January, Islamist parties secured nearly three-fourths of the still-forming Egyptian government’s Parliament—led by 47 percent support for the caliphatefriendly Muslim Brotherhood, whose slogan reads in part: “Qo\ uran is our law. Jihad is our way.”

The military remains in control, prompting more protesting, aggression and 74-casualty soccer riots, its council balancing ill-won power with the Brotherhood, Israel and the U.S. while trying not to kill too many civil-

ians.

Syria’s even worse. They’ve got all the beatings and killings and shelling of entire cities without so much as an election to show for it.

At least 3,000 have died since uprisings began nearly a year ago, the nation’s leaders surely flattered by China and Russia’s veto Sunday of a U.N. resolution condemning mass killings the day before.

Who doesn’t love a good proxy war?

Iraq is no closer to stability than the day after Saddam was hanged—six years ago. We can all breathe a collective sigh of “told you so” on that one.

But that’s not all. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is saying Israel could attack Iran this spring; Israel is saying Iran is developing missiles to strike the U.S.; and Iran is saying, “Sure took ‘em a while.”

The point is, the entire region is in shambles and rife with civil war, the Arab Spring nothing more than an excuse to oust reticent anti-American and anti-Israeli leaders in favor of vocal anti-American and anti-Israeli leaders.

I wrote in The Plainsman a year ago that the situation presented an opportunity for America to clarify its message to the Arab peoples—to make the case for democracy not rooted in religious fanaticism and the destruction of a people—but no such thing has occurred.

Instead, the American left paid homage to the Arab Spring by copying it and its violence with acts of Occupation. It praised Obama for ending a war in Iraq, killing Osama bin Laden and interfering in a war in Libya, but has

» See message, A8

this law are places of business, not places of faith, even though they associate with the religion. The organizations are using their religion as a shield against modernization that would be for the benefit of their employees because they perceive progress as an attack on their faith. We believe they should be subjected to the same requirements as businesses outside of their faith.

Above all, we believe the employees of these institutions have a right to adequate health care, of which contraception is an important part.

Catholic institutions are arguing that their rights are being violated by the mandate without considering the rights of their employees. Both most be attended to.

We’re happy to see all employers are being required to finally provide adequate health care to their employees.

The Plainsman Poll Vote at theplainsman.com

Your view: Marijuana not serious health risk If health outcomes determined drug laws instead of cultural norms, marijuana would be legal and there would be no medical marijuana debate.

Unlike alcohol, marijuana has never been shown to cause an overdose death, nor does it share the addictive properties of tobacco. Marijuana can be harmful if abused, but jail cells are inappropriate as health interventions and ineffective as deterrents. The first marijuana laws were enacted in response to Mexican immigration during the early 1900s, despite opposition from the American Medical Association. Dire warnings that marijuana inspires homicidal rages have been counterproductive at best. White Americans did not

» See Marijuana, A8

The Editorial Board

Mailing Address

Submissions

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Miranda Dollarhide Chelsea Harvey

Sarah Newman

Editor

Campus Editor

Design Editor

madeline hall

kate jones

Nik markopoulos

Auburn Student Center Suite 1111H Auburn, AL 36849

Managing Editor

Intrigue Editor

Copy Editor

Contact

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coleman mcdowell

rebecca croomes

News Editor

Sports Editor

Photo Editor

Phone 334–844–4130 Email opinion@theplainsman.com

The Auburn Plainsman welcomes letters from students as well as from faculty, administrators, alumni and those not affiliated with the University. Letters must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on the Monday for publication. Letters must include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification, though the name of the author may be withheld upon request. Submission may be edited for grammar and/or length.

The opinions of The Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to these pages. These unsigned editorials are the majority opinion of the 9-member editorial board and are the official opinion of the newspaper. The opinions expressed in columns and letters represent the views and opinions of their individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the Auburn University student body, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.

Community A8

The Auburn Plainsman

marijuana » From A7

even begin to smoke pot until a soon-to-be entrenched federal bureaucracy began funding reefer madness propaganda. Marijuana prohibition has failed miserably as a deterrent.

The U.S. has higher rates of marijuana use than the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available to adults. The only clear winners in the war on marijuana are drug cartels and shame-

message » From A7

remained silent on the president’s passivity toward Syrian atrocities, a crumbling Afganistani power structure and unprecedented tension between increasingly agitated Muslim states and New Jersey-sized and rocket-surrounded Israel.

For a year this administration’s message has been cripplingly incoherent, mixed or nonexistent.

less tough-on-drugs politicians who’ve built careers confusing the drug war’s collateral damage with a relatively harmless plant.

Students who want to help end the intergenerational culture war, otherwise known as the war on some drugs, should contact Students for Sensible Drug Policy at schoolsnotprisons.com.

Robert Sharpe MPA analyst, Common Sense for Drug Poliy While Obama admittedly cannot do much to effect change in the region, he can at least apply standards grounded in the principles of freedom and humanity, rather than adopt a politically expedient ad hoc decision process.

In his pre-Super Bowl interview Sunday, Obama said he “derserves” another term.

I say he deserves to be ousted like the leaders he’s called on to step down, or hasn’t called on—which is it again?

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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Newest addition to Magnolia ridiculous Nick Bowman opinion @ theplainsman. com

If you’re ever on Magnolia Avenue, you’re now aware that you should “WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS.” The new overhanging sign is far from pleasing to the eye.

It belongs on an interstate, in a large city or in a deep, deep hole in the ground.

I’m fine with reasonable attempts to increase safety, and I understand the city was responding to the problem of a higher number of accidents involving pedestrians. However, there was simply no reason to place that big, glowing atrocity directly behind Toomer’s Corner.

Unless the city is willing to put a crossing guard at each crosswalk, pedestrians will continue to be struck by cars.

It’s not a difficult concept— there is more traffic on the

road and more foot traffic on Magnolia Avenue than most other places in Auburn. People are going to make mistakes. They’re going to be careless and not pay attention, and it’s just the way it is.

The crosswalks are tasteful; the saplings look good and bring more green to the black of the asphalt. They both serve purposes beyond safety. This monstrocity of signage serves no other purpose than to remind drivers that there are— surprise, surprise—pedestri-

ans in Auburn.

The eye torture that is the sign is a kneejerk reaction to a problem that will not go away, no matter how many truly tasteless signs we erect on Magnolia Avenue.

People will continue to be hit as they cross the street, but I venture now they’ll be splayed across the ground because a driver was remarking on how tremendously awful the darkness of that sign is, and not because they weren’t watching for pedestrians.

Your view: Medical marijuana succeeds where conventional medicines fail Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater in regarda to medical marijuana. Educated discussions and debates should continue as we move past the need to call it “pot.”

Rep. Brown, R-Jacksonville, sponsors HB66, and Rep. Todd, D-Birmingham, sponsors HB25. Each bill allows regulated medicinal marijuana to qualified patients who have a recommendation from a doctor.

Republicans and demo-

crats can work together to pass comprehensive legislation. Medical conditions that marijuana can affect include cancer, HIV and AIDS, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and others. Traditional medicines are not always effective for these conditions; in many cases, not at all.

Disabled and terminally ill patients are prone to insufficient treatment and diminished quality of life. Appropri-

ate marijuana use offers treatment with limited side-effects. Marijuana has fewer and less severe side-effects than many anti-pain and anti-anxiety medicines. Opiate-based drugs, for example, have serious side effects, addiction potential, risk of death and can lower quality of life for people already suffering.

There have been no fatalities directly associated with marijuana, and there are methods of intake other than

smoking, including salves and tinctures. The bills specify cultivation and distribution, laboratory testing and monitored services to limit abuse.

Jobs would be created. Importantly, there would be legal protections for physicians and patients who choose legitimate means of health and recovery with marijuana.

Evan Haarbauer Birmingham, Ala.

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Tigers eye another title

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Thursday, February 9, 2012

B1 Sports

Top 10 once again for Tigers Coleman McDowell Sports Editor

One by one, the faxes rolled in, and after the ink dried on 20 National Letters of Intent, Auburn had apparently wrapped up its recruiting class. But coach Gene Chizik wasn’t done.

“Our recruiting class is hopefully not complete,” Chizik said during an afternoon press conference on National Signing Day. “We’re still recruiting a few guys out there that we hope to be able to convince them to be Auburn Tigers as well.”

Two days later, the 6-foot-6-inch, 289-pound Jordan Diamond committed to Auburn. Diamond, a five-star offensive tackle according to Scout.

com, pushed Auburn into the top-10 for the third consecutive year, finishing ninth overall in 2012.

Chizik and his staff made the offensive line a priority, signing Diamond, fellow five-star Avery Young, fourstars Patrick Miller and Shane Callahan and three-stars Robert Leff and Will Adams and providing immediate depth to a previously thin depth chart.

“Offensive line was obviously something that we feel like we need to, numbers-wise, shore up,” Chizik said. “That was one obvious need for us. I don’t think there’s any question that we’re headed in the right direction.”

Auburn was in the final selection group for many high-profile recruits across the nation, but many selected other schools over Auburn.

“In recruiting the best-of-the-best, some you’re going to get, and some you’re not going to get,” Chizik said.

“That becomes a little Russian roulette in there to some degree. You just have to use your best judgment. It’s all about relationships, and how deep in it are you? How good is your shot?

There’s some risk-reward things that you have to contend with. It becomes a little challenging, there’s no question about it.”

Even though Auburn had many offers on the table, Chizik had 15 play-

ers commit before NSD and hold firm on their commitments, some for months.

“I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that we had a lot of young men that stuck with Auburn from the beginning,” Chizik said. “They committed to us early. These are national top recruits, great football players that never wavered. They never switched.

They’ve been Auburn men since the beginning and since they made their commitment to us, which some of them date all the way back to the summertime.”

This season was the first that a conference-wide cap of 25 signees was implemented. Auburn only signed

20 players, but Chizik was cautious of the rule throughout the recruiting process.

“You have to be very judicious about making sure that you don’t over-sign, because there’s no forgiveness there,” Chizik said.

Auburn is currently ranked No. 9 on Scout.com, No. 11 on Rivals.com and No. 13 on 247sports.com.

The Tigers could receive a further boost in the rankings from fivestar wide receiver Stephon Diggs and three-star offensive lineman Alex Kozan, who have yet to sign.

Auburn’s three consecutive top-10 classes will give the Tigers the depth they lacked in 2011.

2012 Auburn Tigers recruiting class position breakdown

DB–T.J. Davis 6’1”, 180 Three-star Tallahassee, Fla.

OL–Robert Leff 6”6’, 270 Three-star Fairhope, Ala.

WR–JaQuay Williams 6’4”, 204 Four-star Tyrone, Ga.

LB–Javiere Mitchell 6’2”, 209 Three-star Leeds, Ala.

LB–Cassanova McKinzy 6’3”, 233 Four-star Birmingham, Ala.

DT–Tyler Nero 6’2”, 290 Four-star Atmore, Fla.

DE– Gimel President 6’4”, 250 Three-star Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

OT–Avery Young 6’6”, 292 Five-star Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

OT–Will Adams 6’7”, 280 Three-star Tyrone, Ga.

OL–Patrick Miller 6’7”, 275 Four-star West Palm Beach, Fla.

QB–Zeke Pike 6’6”, 224 Four-star Edgewood, Ky.

TE–Ricky Parks 6’4”, 235 Four-star Hogansville, Ga.

DB–Jonathan Jones 5’10”, 184 Three-star Carrollton, Ga.

OL–Shane Callahan 6’6”, 285 Four-star Parker, Colo.

OL–Jordan Diamond 6’6”, 289 Five-star Chicago, Ill.

DB–Josh Holsey 5’11”, 175 Four-star Fairburn, Ga.

WR–Ricardo Louis 6’2”, 210 Four-star Miami Beach, Fla.

TE–Derrion Hutcherson 6’7”, 247 Four-star Dadeville, Ala.

FB–Jay Prosch 6’0”, 250 NR (Transfer) Mobile, Ala.

TIGERS

AU B U R N

*All rankings from Scout.com

QB–Jonathan Wallace 6’2”, 205 Three-star Phenix City, Ala.

RB–Javon Robinson 6’1”, 220 Four-star Memphis, Tenn.

Tiger of a signing day

Soccer signs wealth of talent Robert E. Lee Sports Beat Reporter

Coleman McDowell sports@ theplainsman.com

National Signing Day was going to be feast or famine for the Auburn Tigers.

After missing out on numerous five-star prospects the morning of Feb. 2, it looked like Auburn would limp into spring practice with no momentum.

Would Auburn even field a team in 2012?

But at 1:19 p.m. things began to look up.

Ricardo Louis, a four-star prospect from Miami Beach, faxed his letter of intent after a wild month preceding signing day, which included a decommitment from Auburn, a commitment to Florida State and a decommitment from Florida State.

At 2:12 p.m., five-star offensive tackle Avery Young picked up an Auburn hat amid offers from almost every other big-name program in the country.

Suddenly, the sky wasn’t falling anymore.

Auburn wasn’t going to cease playing football on Saturdays.

And such is a typical signing day: fans go from jubilant to furious and back to jubilant in a matter of hours depending on the choice of an 18-year-old athlete.

But what people don’t realize is that what happens after Feb. 2 is countless times more important than what happens on Feb 2.

If a coaching staff can’t use a player’s five-star talents, what good is he?

If a five-star doesn’t put in the effort to

» See Signing, B2

The soccer team is adding more talent to the 2011 national championship roster.

After receiving nine letters of intent on the first day of the signing period, associate coach Amy Berbary said the incoming class will have an immediate effect.

“This class has instant impact potential and gives us a large amount of depth after losing four seniors that contributed significant minutes to our NCAA Tournament team last year,” Berbary said. “These nine signees represent another great example of our efforts to continually recruit at a national level, as well as sign the top kids in the Southeast, which will help us maintain the tradition of being an elite team in the SEC.” The Tigers graduated four key players in midfielder Katy Frierson, forward Lydia Townsend and defenders Julia King and Heather Havron.

“We were looking to provide some kids that have the possibility to make an instant impact on our team as well as give us some depth,” Berbary said.

Recruit Alexa Allen from Buford, Ga., is ranked in the regional top-five by topdrawersoccer.com “It’s very exciting to get even closer and closer to actually being on campus, and it is just a great feeling to know that your going to the school that were the SEC champions,” Allen said. “I was looking at a bunch of other schools, especially in the SEC, but there is just something about Auburn and the Auburn family and coach Hoppa and coach Amy that just made me fall in love with Auburn.”

Two other recruits, Kala Faulkner and Alyse Scott, also signed from Georgia.

“

I was looking at a bunch of other schools, especially in the SEC, but there was something about Auburn and the Auburn family.”

—Alexa Allen 2012 signee

Playing under coach Philip Broome at Milton High School in Alpharetta, Faulkner was part of the 2011 regional championship team.

Scott plays at The Walker School in Marietta, where she earned twotime captain of the varsity soccer team and allowed just seven goals all season as goalie.

Two signees from Texas, Logan Beal of Plano and Antoinette Bennett of Arlington, both play for the Dallas Texans Red 94 club team.

Beal was the 2011 captain and leading scorer at Plano West Senior High School, and Bennett was part of the 2010 and 2011 North Texas State Cup champions for her club team.

With recruits from outside the region, Berbary said scouting starts early.

“The process usually starts around their sophomore year of high school, and we kind of track them and get fairly early commitments over those couple of years so they are able to sign and we watch them play in tournaments,” Berbary said. “We try to start at home because the Southeast has some very good soccer players.

We start at home first and then we go national.”

» See Talent, B2

Contributed by Todd Van Emst

Kala Faulkner of Marietta, Ga., plays at Milton High School under coach Philip Broome. Faulkner was one of three Georgia recruits to sign with the Tigers.

Contributed by Todd Van Emst

Natalie Donaldson is the only player from California to sign this year.

Sports B2

The Auburn Plainsman

signing » From B1

live up to his billing, what impact will he make?

Southern California had four five-star players in their 2010 recruiting class—only one is still on the team.

Of course, teams that have the best recruiting classes usually have the best teams.

But Auburn still finished 8–5 in 2011 with a recruiting class that will most likely produce numerous starters and potential stars, but it didn’t help immediately.

Auburn had the ability to go after many high-profile athletes this recruiting season.

They did—and missed.

It happens when a staff goes toe-to-toe with anyone in the nation for the best players.

But this year, they could afford to.

According to analysis from Evan Woodberry of al.com, 63 percent of Auburn’s roster has never started a game.

Only two have started more than 15 games.

In 2012, the Tigers will have 13 seniors, 16 juniors, 24 sophomores and 30 freshman.

Youth will abound once again, but many of the true freshmen that played this past

Talent » From B1

Natalie Donaldson is the only other nonresident signing. From Westminster, Calif., she was part of the 2012 AllStar Team and the ESPN Rise Dream Team.

Haley Gerken, Alicia Hereford and Sophie Simantel are in-state signees.

Gerken plays for Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham and was part of the 2011 North-South All-Star game and the 2012 Wendy’s High School Heisman winner.

Hereford, from Huntsville, earned 2009 best defensive

season have a full year of experience.

That will pay off next season.

This team has plenty of players waiting in the wings to replace the few seniors that will leave in 2012, providing depth across the board that was lacking in 2011.

That being said, Auburn’s 2012 class doesn’t have the star power that last year’s did.

Sixteen or 17 have legit shots to be studs before they leave Auburn’s campus.

I only see about seven or eight of those in the 2012 class.

But that doesn’t make this year’s class a failure. Auburn still filled needs.

Five-star offensive linemen Jordan Diamond and Young were huge pickups. Offensive linemen Will Adams, Robert Leff, Patrick Miller and Shane Callahan gave Auburn the No. 2 offensive-line class in the nation, a huge area of need for Auburn.

Guys like Javon Robinson or Zeke Pike might not have been five-stars, but they’ll be solid players for Auburn.

That’s what Auburn needed, and that’s what this class is full of. player, and Simantel plays for the Mobile Soccer Club and has led the team in scoring the past four seasons.

The new recruits will begin at Auburn in the fall, allowing the signess a few months to continue to develop at the high school level.

With new talent from which to draw, Berbary said the soccer staff was well prepared in the recruiting process.

“We have waited for this day for a long time,” Berbary said. “Our staff has watched this class mature athletically throughout the recruiting process, and we are extremely pleased with the outcome.”

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Softball looks to build off 2011 Ethan Bernal Writer

The Auburn softball team opens its season Thursday against the Alabama State Hornets.

Coach Tina Deese is looking to build off last season’s success and the Tigers’ fourth regional tournament appearance.

“In a nutshell, we’re playing to win the West and get to another regional,” Deese said.

“Because quite honestly, in our sport, getting to a regional, there’s no telling what can happen after that point.”

Auburn returns its top two hitters from last season, sophomore first baseman and outfielder Morgan Estell and senior shortstop and second baseman Lauren Guzman.

“We’ve got alot of good talent out there,” Deese said. “Its all based on how well we work together.”

Guzman batted .319 and lead the team with 31 RBIs last season. She was named to the 2011 SEC All-Tournament team and has started 175 consecutive games for the Tigers, the third-longest streak in school history.

Estell was named to the preseason All-SEC team.

In 2011, Estell led the team with a .376 batting average, 38 runs and six home runs and was third on the team with 30 RBIs. “I just want to help the team,” Estell said. “Whether I’m in the outfield, the infield or the dugout–wherever I’m needed I want to help the team out.”

Senior outfielder and first baseman Amber Harrison batted a .252 average and had 28 RBIs. “Personally I had a rougher junior year than I would have liked,” Harrison said. “So this

Rebecca Croomes / Photo Editor

Sophomore Morgan Estell takes batting practice the week leading up to the season opener.

year I’m focusing more on just having fun and not getting so boggled down with batting averages and just enjoying softball.”

Harrison is one of seven seniors on the team, which graduated four players a year ago.

Deese, the 2002 SEC Coach of the Year, knows transitioning to a new season will be tough, but said she believes in her team.

“This year has been more of a challenge for me than any other time,” Deese said.

“That’s simply because we’ve got some transfer students and the freshman are going to play a very large role. We’re just trying to get everyone on the same page. I think once we get there, we’ll be able to stay there.”

With the void in leadership, Deese has seen members of her team answer the

“

Whether I’m in the outfield, the infield or the dugout—wherever I’m needed I want to help the team out.”

—Morgan Estell First baseman, Outfielder

challenge.

“This year, you’re looking at Elizabeth Eisterhold as one who has really stepped up,” Deese said. “Jenee Loree on the mound has stepped up into a prominent leadership role. And then Lauren Guzman, of course, who has been a leader on the field throughout her years, but really this year in the absence of Kend-

all White, has had to step into her shoes and run our defense.”

Last season the Tigers finished with a 40–19 record, including 15–13 in the SEC. Their season ended with a 4–3 loss to Brigham Young in the NCAA Seattle Regional.

After the game against Alabama State Thursday, Auburn hosts the Tiger Invitational Feb. 10–12 and the SEC/ACC/ Big 12 Challenge, where the Tigers will play No. 6 Oklahoma and No. 16 Oklahoma State.

Last season, Auburn split two meetings with the Cowboys and won in their only game against the Sooners.

“If you look, we’ve got a very strong schedule,” Deese said. “I do believe we’ve got a team that can compete and beat those teams. It’s all about who’s going to play better on any given day.”

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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Sports B3

The Auburn Plainsman

Burke takes the road less traveled

Contributed by Matthew Young

Joseph Burke, junior in mechanical engineering, was the Rally-America Rookie of the Year in 2010. Burke is the youngest competitor to win a stage overall and to finish on the podium overall.

Auburn student finds his niche in rally car racing Patrick Tighe Sports Beat Reporter

Joseph Burke drives a car, only it isn’t for his commute to class.

Burke, junior in mechanical engineering, competes in “rallying,” which is a form of auto racing that involves racing street-legal cars on rough-terrain courses.

Burke said family ties led him to rally racing. His father, Seamus, is a two-time U.S. rally champion.

“My dad has been in the sport for a long time, so I grew up with it,” Burke said. “I got my license when I was 16 and did my first race right before I turned 17. In 2010, I won the Rookie of the Year Award and the year after that I won a spot to compete in the X Games competition,” Burke said.

Rallys are divided into two stages with drivers competing

for the shortest time.

Burke Motorsports serves as Burke’s team and crew, and during special stages of races he uses a co-driver to help with directions.

“We are a smaller team compared to the factory team efforts, but at most events we usually have three to four crew guys just in case some damage does happen,” Burke said. “It’s nice to know that even with a smaller team we are still able to compete with the bigger teams.”

Challenging course conditions can affect even the most skilled drivers, Burke said.

“For the RallyCross venues, X Games was probably the most difficult because every team competing had their best equipment on the car,” Burke said. “ It was a great experience being able to race through the center of downtown Los Ange-

les, but in order to make that happen, they used concrete barriers to define the course.

Those barriers don’t move, so any mistake would result in big damage,” Burke said.

Burke has driven many tough courses and said he has lots of great memories from the competitions.

“The rally world is a somewhat close-knit community, and I have been fortunate enough to race against the likes of Travis Pastrana, Ken Block, Dave Mirra, etc., over the past few years,” Burke said.

Burke said he is continuing to work toward competing in and winning future competitions.

“It’s definitely something I will continue post-Auburn,” he said. “It’s a tough sport due to the large budgets that are needed in order to be able to compete with the top.”

Contributed by Neil McDaid

Burke poses with Ken Block, founder of DC Shoes and professional rally car driver, after an event last season.

Students give new meaning to ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ Patrick Tighe Sports Beat Reporter

Boisterous student sections have long been a part of college basketball.

Duke has the Cameron Crazies. Illinois has The Orange Krush. And Auburn now has The Jungle.

The Jungle officially began its campaign as the official Auburn basketball student section Jan. 11 against Kentucky.

Matthew Donaldson, graduate student in business administration, said he’s been a devoted Auburn basketball supporter since the era of Lebo’s Lunatics, the name of the student section during

former men’s coach Jeff Lebo’s tenure.

“I remember first getting involved with the student section with some of my good friends,” Donaldson said. “Student involvement was way down at the time, but we had a great time cheering on the team and trying to bring some energy to the games.”

Donaldson said the new arena has the community reacting differently to basketball.

“When I arrived, Lebo’s Lunatics was really struggling.

The product on the court wasn’t great, and fan support was really low,” Donaldson

said. “It was a special night when the grand opening for the new Auburn Arena occurred. It was a necessary investment for the future of Auburn men and women’s basketball. The quality of the facility is remarkable and will continue to pay dividends.”

Tony Perkins, sophomore in pre-engineering, warmed up to basketball after coming to Auburn.

“I wasn’t ever a big college basketball fan until I got here for my freshman year,” Perkins said. “I lived in the Village last year next to the arena.

I showed up to some games with my friends, and now I go

to every home game that I can possibly get into.”

Perkins said he was surprised by The Jungle’s energy.

“One of my favorites is the airball chant,” he said. “The whole student section knows to only chant it when the person who threw the airball has the ball, and as soon as he passes the ball the student section is silent again. I was impressed that the student section is disciplined enough to do that.”

Perkins offered advice for students in The Jungle: “Get there early, be loud, and be electric and get everyone pumped up.”

Rebecca Croomes / Photo Editor

“The Jungle” has given Auburn a decided advantage at home this season, helping the Tigers to a 12–2 record in Auburn Arena.

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Sports B4

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Swimming, diving chase 16th-straight SEC title Katelyn Gaylor Writer

The Auburn Tigers will make their way to Knoxville, Tenn., to compete in the SEC Swimming and Diving Championship Feb. 15–17.

Until then, everyone is staying loose.

“We’ll definitely get a little bit of rest, let our muscles recover,” said senior swimmer Stuart Ferguson. “We’re able to get a little bit of ‘pop’ is what we call it, just kind of that explosive power.”

Swimming and diving coach Brett Hawke isn’t worried.

“All the hard work is done,” Hawke said. “I think you panic a little bit when you feel like you’re playing catch up, but we’ve put a lot of work in early so we feel really good about it.”

Even so, Hawke emphasizes focus for both his men’s and women’s teams.

“It’s important that we are on our toes and know what we

have to do,” Hawke said. “Other teams are sick of losing.”

The men’s team has brought home an SEC title for the past 15 years.

“It’s the quality of athletes and their mindset,” Hawke said. “The kids that come here want to win. They want to be champions. The first couple of championships set that up, and now it’s just a tradition of excellence that’s been carried on.”

Ferguson believes his team’s camaraderie is what makes them tough to beat.

“There are moments when you have to quietly focus yourself, but I think what we do a really good job of is investing in each other and swimming in a pack,” Ferguson said. “‘Attack in a pack’ is our motto.”

Despite the team’s success in past years, Ferguson said his team never assumes it will win at SECs. “It’s a fight every year. The

best way to win one championship is to just focus on that one,” Ferguson said. “There’s no need to think about trying to protect the streak because that’s out of our control.

Ferguson said Florida is another top competitor standing in the way of a 16th consecutive conference title.

“Florida is a really good team and they’re definitely going to come ready to try and beat us, but I think we still got ‘em,” Ferguson said. “We are just going to think about doing the best we can do every time we step up to the blocks, and the rest will take care of itself.”

Senior swimmer Kelsey Winters uses the same logic.

“I don’t get too ahead of myself,” Winters said. “When it’s time to warm up, I warm up and think about what I want to do for myself for the race.

Then in the race, I focus on just staying calm, swimming in my own lane, sticking to what I’ve

Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society

been practicing and making sure I take it step by step.”

The women’s team has won five SEC championships in the past eight years.

“They are in a good position to move up from last year,” Hawke said. “Last year they were third, and I think they could challenge Florida.

“I think Georgia is still the team to beat, and they’re probably the team that’s going to run away with it if they swim to their full potential, but at the same time our girls are really focusing on being the best they can be, and I think that’s dangerous when you go into a championship.”

Winters said she is ready to for SEC play.

“It’s my last year so I’d love to finish on a high note, whatever that entails,” Winters said.

“You don’t want to jinx it, but we all have (winning) in the back of our minds and that’s what we’re striving for.”

Berbary earns new position Hope Burleson Writer

60th Anniversary Alpha Lambda Delta is an honor society for students who maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA and are in the top 20% of their class during their first year.

The members of the Auburn University chapter are proud to celebrate their hard work and success on the occasion of their 60th Anniversary.

To encourage superior academic achievement, to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning, and to assist students in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their unique roles in society.

Danielle Lowe / Assistant Photo Editor

The Auburn swimming and diving teams practice for the upcoming SEC Championships Feb. 15 in Knoxville, Tenn. The men’s team has won the SEC title 15 years straight, and the women’s team has won five out of the last eight conference titles.

Soccer coach Karen Hoppa announced Jan. 31 the appointment of Amy Berbary as associate coach.

“I was humbled,” said Berbary, who is in her fifth year coaching.

Hoppa said Berbary’s responsibilities will not change because she feels like Berbary was already filling the role of associate coach before her promotion.

“With how much I rely on her and how much she does, I think the title finally caught up with the job she was doing, to be honest,” Hoppa said.

In addition to her role as recruiting coordinator, Berbary is the liaison between academics, media relations and marketing, and she deals with training and coaching during games.

“Amy has been with our program for four years, and during her four years, first and foremost, she has grown tremendously as a coach,” Hoppa said.

“Secondly, her contribu-

Junior forward tions to our proMary Coffed said gram have been Berbary makes an significant, specifeffort to connect ically her contriwith her players butions in recruiton a personal leving.” el.

B erb a r y e x“I can walk in panded soccer’s (her office) and recruiting geotell her just about graphically, paranything,” Coffed ticularly in CaliBerbary said. fornia. Before Ber“She pushes you as far as bary arrived in Auburn in the spring of 2008, Auburn’s soc- she knows you are capable of cer team had never signed a going, which I think is a great player from California, Hop- attribution of a coach.”

Berbary said she was happy pa said.

“In her first recruiting class, to return to the Southeastern which was 2010, we signed Conference and coach at Aufour kids from California,” burn after spending four years Hoppa said. “And we are con- coaching at the University of tinuing that in all of our re- Dayton.

“It has been a fantastic four cruiting classes.”

Berbary has also played a years (at Auburn), and I’m resignificant role in coaching ally looking forward to the the offense, whose 50 goals years to come,” she said.

Although Berbary played last season marked the highest in 10 years in Auburn soc- soccer at the University of Georgia in the late ‘90s, she cer.

“Our offense was one of the said she doesn’t want to be best in the country this year anywhere else but Auburn.

“However, it was tough putand one of the bigger reasons we won the SEC Champion- ting on that orange when I first got here,” Berbary said. ship,” Hoppa said.

SPRING BREAK 2012

A House United is a joint project between the Auburn University Office of Public Service, Habitat for Humanity and the University of Alabama.

Volunteers from each school will work together on a building project March 11-17, 2012 in Baldwin County, Alabama.

The approximate cost for the trip is $300. Applications with payment due February 29, 2012

Only a few slots remaining!

March 11-17 BALDWIN COUNTY, ALABAMA Submit applications with payment to Office of Public Service, 201 O.D. Smith Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849-5607.

Applications are available online: http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/news/ habitat.htm For additional information, contact Joyce Thomas-Vinson at 844-5117.

Auburn University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Employer

Intrigue

Oscar Picks

How 2: Resume

» Page B6

» Page B7

B5

www.theplainsman.com

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Intrigue

Alumna to compete for Miss USA Kate Jones Intrigue Editor

Before winning Miss Alabama USA Jan. 28, Katherine Webb was busy with her job as training director at Chick-fil-A in Columbus, Ga., and working as a model.

Now her schedule is packed with preparing for the Miss USA pageant, as well as making appearances across the state and her hometown.

“That’s what I’m really excited about—going and being out in public and meeting everyone and just really being an advocate for Alabama,” said Webb, who graduated last May in business administration.

Webb said if she wins Miss USA, reaching out to young women across Alabama will be her priority.

“That’s something that’s very important to me because I grew up being tall and lanky and feeling awkward because I was always the tallest girl in my class,” Webb said, “… so I grew up with a lot of self-confidence and image issues.”

She said she wants to speak with young girls because she feels girls today are always tearing each other down as a result of a lack of self-confidence.

“That’s something that’s very dear to my heart,” Webb said, “and I know that I can definitely be helpful to them as well.”

Among her activities at Auburn, Webb was involved with the Women’s Philanthropy Board, which she said helped her prepare for the Miss Alabama USA pageant.

“Women’s Philanthropy Board is all about really just encouraging women to give back, and also it really encourages to really develop yourself into strong, confident women and go for your goals,” Webb said. “So definitely that was something that con-

Rebecca Croomes / Photo Editor

Katherine Webb, Miss Alabama USA, makes an appearance at the men’s basketball game against Alabama Tuesday. Webb will compete at the Miss USA pageant in June.

tributed to me going for my dreams and my goals.”

Sidney James, WPB director, knew Webb during her time at Auburn.

“She serves as an ideal role model for women of all ages and men of all ages as someone who’s dedicated to her values to be supportive to others and to be responsible and to leave a lasting legacy through her work to

benefit others,” James said.

To prepare for the pageant, Webb not only had to make sure she was physically fit, but said she also had to prepare mentally.

“I had to kind of mentally envision myself being a Miss Alabama, being a Miss USA,” Webb said, “and really envision myself being on the stage and how I would act and how I would

walk and how I would just really present myself.”

Webb said her favorite part of the pageant for which to prepare was her weakest area: the interview.

“I’m all about always improving myself.” Webb said. “So practicing interviews and getting pretty good at that—that was self-rewarding because that was something I accom-

plished and I knew that, ‘OK, I can do this now.’”

Webb’s mom, Leslie Webb, said she always thought her daughter would compete in pageants.

“Ever since Katherine’s been a little girl … she always loved to dress up and wear high heels and wear really

» See USA, B6

:

stacked bracelets

Danielle Lowe / Assistant Photo Editor

Joanna Smith sings and plays the piano and the mandolin. She will be performing at the War Eagle Supper Club Feb. 17th.

Former student turns to her roots after trip to Nashville Hayley Blair Intrigue Beat Reporter

In the summer of 2003 after her freshman year at Auburn, Joanna Smith entered a talent show in South Georgia that changed her life.

“The guy that was the sound technician at the show was like, ‘There’s a band in Nashville that really needs a lead singer, and you would be perfect for the part,’ Smith said. “So he hooked me up with these people, and I auditioned a couple times and they convinced us that it was the deal.”

Soon after Smith moved to Tennessee, the band let her go, taking her big break with them, “I decided to just bite the bullet and stay in Nashville and start paying my dues,” Smith said. “I started writing songs and I eventually got a publishing deal, so then I was able to support myself through my writing.”

Gray Hall, sophomore in busines, watched Smith perform in Auburn last week and said he is amazed by how far she has gone to pursue her dreams and hopes her music becomes even more popular.

“I totally respect that,” Hall said. “I

“

I’m not exactly a music talent evaluator, but she definitely seemed like she had a good voice, and she’s certainly charismatic and a sweet girl.”

—Trey Oliver President, Sigma Nu

wish I could do it. It’s crazy that she just went up there and got signed by a record deal. I wish the best for her, and I hope she makes it big.”

Auburn was her parents’ alma mater, and Smith said coming back to sing was a no-brainer because of fond memories from her freshman year.

“I’m gearing up for a new single release, and in the interim period I really just wanted to try to do some grassroots and go to some places I’m passionate about and love and

try to build a small following there, and so Auburn’s the first place I wanted to start,” Smith said.

Smith sang at several fraternities last week including Sigma Nu and Beta.

“I’ve listened to a couple of her singles online like ‘Georgia Mud,’” Hall said. “I’m a country music fan, and she’s got talent.”

When Smith called Trey Oliver, Sigma Nu president, and asked if she could perform for the fraternity, Oliver was quick to take her up on the offer.

“She was really good,” Oliver said.

“We were all really impressed. We didn’t really know what to expect, but once she got out the guitar we saw she could really sing.”

Smith has been performing since she was 3 years old and said she is ecstatic her dreams are finally coming true in Nashville, though she’s still waiting to see her name on the music charts.

“Moving up there I definitely had set goals, and I wanted to be an artist and I wanted a record deal,”

» See Smith, B6

Melody Kitchens / Online Editor

Melody Kitchens Online Editor

Coined by Leandra Medine of manrepeller.com, the arm party, or stacks of bracelets, instantly ignited a blog cult following.

Medine perfects her arm party with various colored crystal chains from Dannijo, gold watches and gunmetal skulls— anything crazy enough to keep the opposite sex wondering why someone would wear such a combination of jewelry.

Although Medine’s bracelets tend to land in the higher price ranges, the practicality of stacking as many various bracelets as you please makes for an easy and customizable trend to follow.

The key is to toss old myths aside and mix and match at will.

Whether you prefer one wrist or both, the more bold and mismatched the arm party, the better.

If you’ve already been sporting the trend, here are some tips to refine your look.

First, don’t be afraid to wear different metals side by side, as well as neutrals and bits of neon.

If you’re a first time man repeller, begin by picking your favorite metal, like rose gold, as your largest bracelet. Once you have the focal piece of the party selected, it’s easier to pick the rest of the bracelets.

Stick with colors that coordinate well with that metal, like black and red and other golds, and keep adding accessories until you know you’ve gone overboard a couple bracelets ago.

Another feature of the arm party lies in its ability to be worn either during the day or at night.

Colorful braided friendship bracelets paired with a leather watch and simple gold bracelets is an easy go-to for the daytime, and heavier, chunkier pieces in dark colors covered with crystals are perfect at night.

As for the rest of the outfit, the group of bracelets can either coordinate with your clothes or stand out on its own, obviously making a bolder statement when it clashes with the outfit.

However you prefer to put your party together, pick your favorite pieces, small or large, and go for it.

Intrigue B6

The Auburn Plainsman

usa

» From B5 pretty dresses and fix her hair,” Webb said. “We would always call her Miss America, and so it’s just fun to see that she actually did Miss USA.” Katherine Webb said the moments leading up to the announcement were surreal.

“When you’re standing on stage and you’re in the top five, the only thing you don’t want to happen is for them to call

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Best leading actor & actress

your name,” Webb said. “So it was just me and another girl standing there, and I was totally convinced there’s no way (I’ll win) because she was gorgeous—she’s just the whole package—and I knew I was, too, but at the same time I was like, ‘I want her to win, but I want to win, too.’”

Webb said she was shocked when her name was called.

“I just never in my wildest dreams ever thought it would actually come true.”

ROLE: G N I D A E L A ACTOR IN ball

• BRAD PITT–Money –The Descendants EY • GEORGE CLOON –The Artist • DEAN DUJARDIN ker Taylor Soldier Spy • GARY OLDMAN–Tin Better Life • DEMIAN BICHIR–A LEADIN A N I S S E R T AC

G ROLE:

–Albert Nobbs GLENN CLOSE The Help VIOLIA DAVIS–

• • e Dragon e Girl with th Th – A R A M Y E • ROON Tattoo

• •

The Iron Lady

– MERYL STREEP ek with LIAMS–My We IL W E L L E H IC M Marilyn

Courtesy of the montgomery advertiser

Katherine Webb of Columbus, Ga., reacts to being crowned Miss Alabama USA. “I just never in my wildest dreams ever thought it would actually come true,” she said.

smith » From B5

Smith said. “It’s taken a very long time to get there, so some days I’m like, ‘Well, it’s high time,’ and then sometimes I’m just like, ‘I just can’t believe this is actually happening.

Dreams do come true.’”

Oliver said after hearing Smith play he thinks she has the talent to appeal to a wide audience.

“I’m not exactly a music talent evaluator, but she definite-

Keep your tweets coming in for your pick for Best Picture!

Send them to @TheAUPlainsman #AUoscars

ly seemed like she had a good voice, and she’s certainly charismatic and a sweet girl,” he said.

Smith is flying back to Auburn for another performance at the Supper Club, which will be Feb. 17 at 11 p.m.

She said her parents support her music and are looking forward to her visit.

“They know this is what I always wanted to do,” Smith said. “They’re glad I’m going to be back in Auburn because we all bleed orange and blue.”

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2012-2013 auburn Cheerleader Tryouts Auburn Cheerleading Tryouts will be held on April 16-18, 2012.

An interest meeting will be held on Thursday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Courtside Lounge in Auburn Arena.

For the dates of the upcoming clinics and additional information on the Auburn Cheerleaders, please visit auburn.edu/cheer.

Mini Cheesecakes with Strawberry Topping

Kerry’s recipe of the week

For the crust: 8 graham crackers 1 tablespoon sugar 2 tablespoons butter, melted For the filling: 8 ounces cream cheese 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For the strawberries: 3/4 cup strawberries, hulled and chopped (about 8 strawberries) 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Add the graham crackers and sugar to a food processor and pulse until graham cracker crumbs are formed. Add the melted butter and pulse until mixture represents wet sand. Place a tablespoon of the graham cracker crumbs into each slot of a muffin pan and compress. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl. Gradually add in the eggs. Lastly, add in the vanilla extract.

Fill each muffin slot with batter until 2/3 full. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes and lower the oven to 325°F. Bake for an additional 15 minutes. Allow to cool, loosen edges and transfer onto a plate and place in the refrigerator. In a small bowl combine the chopped strawberries, sugar and lemon zest. Stir until combined. Refrigerate for at least an hour and place a spoonful on top of each cheesecake.

Serves: 6 (2 per person)

Contributed by Kerry Fannon

Career

B7 www.theplainsman.com

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Job Spotlight: Mary Grace Mosley

Write to be remembered

Brandy Volovecky Writer

The resume can make or break any student’s potential job prospect.

In an interview with Forbes magazine, Tony Beshara, author of “Unbeatable Resumes,” said the average time spent looking at a resume is 10 seconds.

Katie Mantooth, career counselor at the Auburn University Career Center, said using a resume template found online, in books or Microsoft Word is a bad idea. “(Using a template) says that the person doesn’t have the initiative or word skillset to write a resume on their own,” Mantooth said.

Mantooth said students should be careful about us-

ing different fonts and color.

She said while a bolder font is acceptable for headings, the body should be in a standard font.

“Most people are sitting at a desk with a generic black printer, so while it looks beautiful on the computer screen, when its printed it may come out looking like a pixelated mess,” Mantooth said.

She said the only exception to this are jobs in the design field.

“It’s important to make sure your resume is printer friendly,” Mantooth said. “If you have to use color, stick to darker colors because they translate better on paper.”

The objective portion of a resume is the first time a potential employee can market oneself.

“Read the job description and highlight those skills that they know they possess,” Mantooth said.

She said an alternative to an objective would be a summary of qualifications. “(It should consist of ) three to five bullets of skills that are true and that are taken from the job description,” Mantooth said.

Christopher Harris, senior in finance, said his five years serving in the Marine Corps gave him skills he wants his

“

The feedback we consistently get from the majority of recruiters is, if you have less than 10 years of experience, you need a one page resume.”

—Katie Mantooth Career Counselor

resume to emphasize.

“I want to portray to an employer that I am the best for the job above my peers because of my experience, leadership skills, honor and commitment,” Harris said.

Mantooth said a resume should present all relevant experience, but should be kept as short as possible.

“The feedback we consistently get from the majority of recruiters is, if you have less than 10 years of experience, you need a one page resume,” Mantooth said.

The University Career Center offers free E-Resume Review. It can be emailed to eresume@auburn.edu and will be returned within two business days.

Freshmen strive for balance between classes, working Callie Ward Writer

Trying to balance school, a social life and work can be difficult. Being a freshman can make it overwhelming.

Nancy Bernard, director of Auburn’s Career Center, said the number of hours a student works should depend on the individual’s courseload and curriculum.

Hannah Nette, freshman in business, worked at Chick-filA during high school and continued working at the company when she started school in August.

“Most people that go to college never really have a job,” Nette said. “But I guess it wasn’t that much of a difference for me, because I had a job going all the way through high school.”

Nette works 24 hours per week, and while she said juggling college and work can be stressful at times, learning to balance the two has benefitted her.

“When I leave work I don’t

want to go from doing work to doing homework,” Nette said.

“I kind of want to have my me time … Each week is different.

Sometimes I don’t have anything to do in the week, and sometimes everything is due in one week. It can be a lot sometimes.”

Nette said her parents stress independence, and not working isn’t an option because she is financially responsible for her education expenses.

“My parents pay my rent, but I work for my own spending money, and they don’t pay for my tuition,” Nette said. “It makes me value my education a lot more now that I am paying for it.”

Bernard said parents of freshman often ask her whether their child should work, but she said it all depends on the individual.

“I direct it back to the student and their situation,” Bernard said. “I think as a freshman … they need to come in here and do whatever they need to do to make good

grades and do well that first semester. So if working is going to be a distraction then they don’t need to do that, but ( for) a lot of students it’s necessary—they have to work.”

Bernard said while some think it’s best to focus only on school, she believes work can provide students structure so long as they balance the two.

“More than 20 hours a week would be hard, and I know some students do that because financially they have to, but they really have to be very structured and really mindful of their schedule,” Bernard said.

Taylor Goode, freshman in business, works 12 hours per week at Earth Fare. She said having a job was easier to balance in high school, but likes working in college because it keeps her busy and provides experience for her resume.

“I would not recommend it during your first semester, but this is my second semester, and I have a better feel for it,” she said.

Intrigue

Contributed

Mary Grace Mosley, graphic designer for Razorfish, is currently working on the Facebook campaign for “Alcatraz.”

Katelyn Gaylor Writer

Mary Grace Moseley graduated from Auburn in December with a degree in graphic design.

She is now an entry level designer for Razorfish, one of the largest interactive agencies in the world.

Q: What is a normal day like for you?

A: I have a team of 10 people: five graphic designers, two art directors and a creative director.

I usually get to work around 9:30 a.m. and get myself together. We have kickoffs for different projects.

I probably have about three meetings a day just getting together with people to make sure our stuff is all the same.

Q: What are your current projects?

A: We have a bunch of accounts (Delta, Bridgestone, AT&T). I am on the AT&T account so any random work they send us, I help do.

I do ads, online ads. We do fun things; like right now we are doing a Facebook campaign for the show “Alcatraz.”

It’s actually a sweepstakes to win a trip to San Francisco. We

Graphic design graduate lands first job at design company in Atlanta. designed all the interface for that, and it should pop up (on Facebook) soon.

We are also working on an app for AT&T called “Digital Home Life.” It can control temp, DVR, home security system all from your phone or iPad.

Q: What process did you go through to find this job?

A: Well, we visited Razorfish last semester with my interactive web design class. I just happened to grab a business card of one of the people there.

Only a couple of days before I graduated I sent them an email and they passed along my portfolio.

They contacted me through a recruiter and then I went through an interview process and they hired me. Super easy.

Turned out better than I expected.

Q: How did you make a statement in the interview?

A: When I was going into the office interview, I asked if I needed to bring anything and they were like, ‘No you’re completely fine. You don’t need to bring a thing.’

I thought, ‘Hm, that’s a little weird.’ So I loaded my portfolio on my iPad to bring along just in case.

I interviewed with three different people and it was 45 minutes for each interview.

Every single person asked me, ‘So, what do you have to show us?’ I was able to say, ‘Well, actually, I have my iPad.’ So they didn’t tell me to bring anything, but I think they want to see if you’re prepared and if you really care to bring something to show them.

Q: Are you able to apply what you learned at Auburn to your job?

A: Yes. I never thought in a million years I would be out of college in a job that fit my degree that I was absolutely in love with, and it happened.

My job is what I graduated in. I use everything that I studied in school. It’s the best possible job that I could have right now.

It literally blows my mind.

I’m very thankful because I get to do what I love every day.

Q: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

A: Razorfish is a global company. They have offices all over the world.

I see myself working harder right now and maybe living in different cities one day.

I definitely don’t want to settle down in Atlanta for a long time. I want to travel in my job.

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Intrigue B8

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, February 9, 2012