June 25, 2009 Issue

A Spirit That Is Not Afraid

The Auburn Plainsman Vol. 115, Issue 34 12 Pages

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009

www.theplainsman.com

Board approves tuition increase

Got questions?

Answers are on Admissions Office creates account to answer perspective students’ questions

By ANDREW SIMS

By SARAH CRAFT

Online Editor

Associate Copy Editor

President Gogue stood in front of the Board of Trustees Friday and laid out both the accomplishments and goals the school has made going into the fall 2009 school year.

Gogue said he realized this year was going to be difficult because of the 12 percent budget cuts he described as, “the worst in Auburn history.”

The school recently had $39 million cut from its state allocated funds from the Alabama Education Trust Fund.

“These funds are collected from the state sales tax and state income tax,” said Student Government Association President Jacob Watkins. “This is hard during these times because people are buying less and not reporting as much income so this affects the schools directly.”

The question proposed to the budget committee said Watkins was how to offset this loss of money.

The decision was not to place all of the shortfall on tuition and the backs of the students. The board decided on a 5.7 percent increase for in state students and a 6.1 percent increase for out of state tuition. This tuition increase alone is expected to help generate $9 million in revenue for the school.

In addition to the increase in tuition the board also approved $15 million in one time cuts and an additional $15 million permanent cuts. These cuts will be passed on to individual schools at the University to decide where the money is taken from.

“In making these budget cuts the goal is to make sure all academics are preserved,” said Deedie Dowdle, executive director of the Office of Communications and Marketing. > Turn to BOT, A2

The Auburn University Admissions department is working to better serve its students by creating a Facebook page where students can ask questions and have them answered by an admissions counselor.

“The class we’re recruiting was born in ’92 or ’93 and have always had access to the Internet,” said Jim Parrish, assistant director at the Office of University Recruitment. “We asked what other schools were doing to keep up, and now our Facebook page has been up and running for a year.”

Current or prospective students can find the page by searching for Auburn University Admissions on Facebook.

Once a student becomes a “fan” of the page, he or she may write

Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

> Turn to FACEBOOK, A2

Perspective students have a new resource when deciding on coming to Auburn in the Admissions Office Facebook page.

Officials announce Foy venues to open

By SARAH HANSEN Associate News Editor

Fear not Auburn students, War Eagle Food Court is returning — have your Tigercards out and ready to go.

Although the food court area of the Foy Student Union building has remained unused for the past year, it is now ready to make a comeback.

Auburn University administration decided to take on this project during the spring semester of the 2008-2009 academic year, according to David Robinson, director of business development for auxiliary services.

Auburn’s new meal plan policy went into effect during the fall of 2008 which made it mandatory for all incoming freshmen to obtain a meal plan.

Each student is responsible for

Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

The empty Foy War Eagle Food Court will be reopening with new venues.

using $1,000 per semester wherever Tiger Card is accepted. “It was a decision that the administration made to give another venue to students to

spend their required dining money,” Robinson said.

With the project only being approved a few months ago, they are currently still in the design phase of the project, he said. Actual construction for the project is not scheduled to begin until the end of summer.

It is important to the administration that improvements to Foy are made before the new food venues are put in place.

“We’re dressing up the venue itself to bring in a new, bright atmosphere,” Robinson said.

Currently, the food court area is being brought up to standards.

“We’re taking care of what all needs to be done to the building itself,” Robinson said.

The food court will include Southern Grill, Salsarita’s, Mondo Sub and salad and dessert bars Tiger Dining has named Simply Salad and Just

Dessert. Au Bon Pain soup will also be available to purchase, according to Robinson.

Auburn University student, Stacie Davis, a junior in pre-pharmacy, looks forward to seeing Foy look less dark and outdated, and more inviting to students.

“I think that when we were freshmen, we all really enjoyed being able to go eat at Foy,” Davis said. “I think this past year Foy has been a wasted space, especially since it’s such a great central location on Auburn’s campus. It’s great that it’s going to be utilized.”

Her only concern is that prices will be set too high. She believes that on-campus dining is extremely expensive compared to other options off-campus. With the prices set so high, students are deterred from wanting to spend their money > Turn to FOY, A3

AU Athletics named 6th in football revenue

By ANNA SCHIERHOLZ Associate Sports Editor

Though the Tigers may not have defeated the Tide in the last Iron Bowl battle, they did manage to top their rivals in another way: Revenue.

Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal unveiled their Top 10 College Sports revenue list last week. In the 2007-2008 season, Auburn football brought in the sixth highest amount of money of all NCAA teams.

“We can’t do anything but applaud our fan base,” said Stephen Naughton, director

of ticket sales in the Auburn athletic department. “Obviously a ton of support comes from our alumni, but there are so many other fans that didn’t go to Auburn, but love it just the same.”

The tackling Tigers brought in $59.67 million, topping the Tide’s $57.37 million in the past season.

Auburn athletics brought in a total of $89.31 million, placing seventh on the overall list and defeating the eighth place Alabama in a second category.

“The top 10 ranking just shows that Auburn fans put

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their money where their mouth is when it comes to football,” said Austen Vollenweider, a junior majoring in animal science specializing in pre-veterinary medicine.

“Football is serious business here.”

The University of Texas lead the NCAA in both overall and football categories, with its athletic department bringing in $120.28 million, and football making $72.95 million of that total.

Five of the top 10 schools in football revenue were SEC universities. Behind Texas, the University of Georgia sits

second, followed by Florida, Ohio State University, Notre Dame, Auburn, Michigan, Alabama, Penn State and Louisiana State University.

Texas also lead the pack in 2003, raking in $47.55 million, significantly less than its most recent revenue mark.

The top 10 athletic programs in the NCAA behind the Longhorns are Ohio State, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn State, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee and Oklahoma State.

Auburn football is a revenue booster for the University, selling out Jordan-Hare

Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

Despite the 36-0 loss to Alabama’s Crimson Tide in last year’s Iron Bowl, the Tigers have taken in more sports revenue than UA.

nearly every season, Naughton said. But, tough economic times paired with a sub-par last season have pushed ticket sales down.

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Credit cards: Legislation - A5 Good or Bad - B1 Printed on Recycled Paper

Tickets went on sale to the public last week, like every other season, unlike many seasons in the past, tickets are still available for several > Turn to ATHLETICS, A3

Index News

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Commentary A4 Sports

Classifieds B3 Intrigue

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The Auburn Plainsman

News, A2

The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID The Auburn Plainsman is the student newspaper of Auburn University. It is produced entirely by students and is funded by its advertising revenue. The Auburn Plainsman is published every Thursday and averages 15 printings per semester. It is distributed free of charge to Auburn students and faculty. Please take only one copy. First copy free; additional copies are 25 cents. Anyone caught taking more than one copy will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Staff meetings are Wednesdays, 7 p.m. in Suite 1111 of the Student Center. For more information, call 844-4130, e-mail us at mail@theplainsman.com or view our Web site at www.theplainsman.com.

Editorial Staff

Business Staff

Natalie Wade Editor

Tom Hopf Business Manager

Julian Kersh Managing Editor

Erin Coffey Creative Director

Kevin Saucier Copy Editor Sarah Craft / Associate Editor Allison Clark News Editor Sarah Hansen / Associate Editor Natalie Nettles Intrigue Editor Christian Becraft / Associate Editor

Ed May Layout Coordinator Production Artists Brent Lang Geoffrey Pitts Account Executives Andrew Moore Nathan Smith Vincent Aragon Elizabeth Cammon

Patrick Dever Sports Editor Anna Schierholz / Associate Editor Ashlea Draa Photo Editor Austin Nelson / Associate Editor Andrew Sims Online Editor ADVERTISING POLICIES

Campus Calendar is provided by The Auburn Plainsman to all Universitychartered organizations to announce activities. Announcements must be submitted on forms available in the office between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. no later than Monday prior to publication. Submissions must be no more than 30 words and are edited to retain only pertinent information. Classified ads cost $6 for the first 15 words, and 40 cents for each additional word. Forms are available in the office during business hours. Deadline is Friday at 3 p.m. Local advertising rate is $11/ column inch. National advertising rate is $16/ column inch. Deadline for all advertising space reservation is Friday at 3 p.m. The Auburn Plainsman (USPS 434740) is published

by Auburn University, AL 36849 weekly during the school year. We do not publish during class breaks. Subscriptions are $40 a year, $20 a semester.

Periodicals [postage [paid at Auburn, AL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Auburn Plainsman, Student Union Suite 1111, Auburn University, AL 36849.

ThePlainsman.com

DUI Arrests in the City of Auburn June 17 - June 23, 2009

Thursday, JUNE 25, 2009

CRIME REPORTS June 17 - June 23, 2009

Shirley D. Strickland of Macon 1651 S. College St. June 19, 1:42 a.m.

June 17, Wright Street at West Magnolia Avenue - Burglary reported. One black 30G iPod reported stolen.

Christian Dawn Barrett of Guntersville Mell Street at Roosevelt Drive June 22, 11:39 p.m.

June 17, North College Street - Burglary reported. One Cannon PowerShot camera, one pair Costa Del Mar Triple Tail sunglasses, one pair Oakley sunglasses, one pair Sony headphones, one iPod wall charger and one Verizon car charger reported stolen.

German Chilel Mendez of Mexico South College Street at West Thach Avenue June 23, 2:53 a.m.

FACEBOOK

case answers on specific questions I had related to my possible Auburn experihis or her questions on the ence” Dooley said. site’s “wall.” They are each The Auburn Admissions personally Facebook answered on page isn’t limthe wall by an ited to incomAuburn is admissions ing freshmen. counselor. huge on spirit, and Many trans“People fer students love to see we’d like to also might that we’re communicate that find the site out there,” helpful. to prospective Parrish said.

“As a trans“These kids students.” fer student I want instant have a million Jim Parrish gratification q u e s t i o n s ,” assistant director so we check said Sarah Office of Recruitment the page mulLeAnn Schelltiple times er-Triplett, a per day.” senior transfer student from The counselors answer Eastern Carolina University the questions on Facebook’s with a major in communipublic wall function rather cation disorders and psythan sending it to the in- chology. “Sometimes when quirer’s inbox in the interest I’d call the school I could of keeping the page as pub- not get through, but when lic as possible.

I went on the Facebook “Someone will undoubt- page my questions were anedly have the same ques- swered very promptly.” tion, so we post the answers Parrish said the Admiswhere everyone can see sions department hopes to them,” Parrish said. further expand their Face“I stumbled upon the book page in the future by Facebook page while brows- uploading videos and hiring ing the admissions Web appropriate personnel to site,” said Meghan Dooley, staff the page. a senior at Pineview School “We would like to start for the Gifted in Sarasota, tapping into the Auburn Fla., and prospective Au- spirit by making it an option burn student. “I’m applying to download the Auburn in the fall of 2009 and had fight song directly from the a specific scholarship ques- Facebook page,” Parrish tion that I had searched for said. “Auburn is huge on and been unable to find on spirit, and we’d like to comthe site.” municate that to prospecParrish said many stu- tive students.” dents come to the site to ask Not only is the Facebook general Auburn questions. page available to share with “Often it’s a matter of students answers to quesfinding the right person to tions about Auburn, but it answer,” Parrish said. “We also has helped students in get all sorts of questions their application process. such as ‘How do I find a “The Facebook page really roommate, change my ma- helped with application to jor, or make a ‘Class of ‘13’ Auburn,” Scheller-Triplett Facebook group?’ When said. that happens, we will send Some students included them links to where they the Facebook page as reaneed to go.” sons why they decided to Prospective students said come to Auburn. they appreciate the quick “It definitely helped me replies. make the decision to make “The page allowed me to Auburn my first choice,” receive personal, case-by- Dooley said. >From A1

“

June 17, Eagles Landing South - Larceny reported. One Playstation 3, two Playstation 3 controllers and one Playstation 3 Madden 2009 reported stolen.

June 17, Eagles Landing South - Burglary reported. Two XBox 360 controllers, five assorted XBox 360 games and three DVDs reported stolen.

June 17, View Apartments - Burglary reported. Two black Remington 1187 12-gauge shotguns with synthetic stock reported stolen.

June 17, Garden District - Theft reported. One Acer laptop, one Samsung insync cell phone, one pair Nike tennis shoes, one pair Sperry casual shoes and one college textbook “Test and Measurements” reported stolen.

June 18, Hilton Garden Inn - Burglary reported. One Toshiba laptop, one black leather briefcase and miscellaneous office supplies and files reported stolen.

June 18, Deerfield I Apartments - Burglary reported. One Panasonic DVD/CD player with a flat screen LCD and one black Nikon Coolpix digital camera reported stolen.

June 19, Swann’s Triangle Trailer Park - Burglary reported.

One Vizio 37” flat screen TV, one Nokia cell phone and 200 checks reported stolen. One rear exterior door and one interior door reported damaged.

June 19, West Glenn Avenue - Burglary reported. One set of dark bowling shoes, two Adidas golf shirts, one backpack and one tax research textbook reported stolen.

June 19, Big K-Mart - Shoplifting reported. One Joe Boxer brand bra, two Fruit of the Loom brand bras, two Basic brand ladies pants and one Attention brand ladies pants reported stolen.

June 20, Walmart Supercenter - Shoplifting reported. One pack of ground beef reported stolen.

- Reports provided by Auburn Department of Public Safety

BOT

>From A1

The board also voted not to give salary increases to staff members for the second year in a row.

“We all understand that this is a shared burden and something we are all a part of,” Dowdle said. “We are all just thankful we are not cutting jobs.”

Some of the major advancements Gogue talked about were the development of a new Honors College model, which would encourage a greater retention of its members.

“If you look out amongst the graduates at graduation and ask the honors college graduates to stand up you see

one here and another there,” Gogue said. “That is not what we want.”

Dowdle also said the president was excited to announce that every school at Auburn has now or is working towards having an international study abroad program.

“This is a great thing to have more students being exposed to different cultures,” Dowdle said. “More and more these students are involved in a world that requires an understanding of other cultures.”

A full list of the objectives set out for the upcoming years at Auburn will be provided in the trustees meeting minutes which are available to the public around the time of the next meeting scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25.

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, JUNE 25, 2009

Site offers students way out

By NATALIE NETTLES Intrigue Editor

Gone are the days of forged doctor’s excuses and computers that crash the day an assignment is due.

A new Web site, www.corrupted-files.com, promises to do away with excuses of the past by allowing students to e-mail purposely corrupted files to professors in order to buy time to finish their work.

The site, which offers Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents for $3.95, does not identify its Webmaster and states on the home page to keep the site a secret.

Joey Burns, a sophomore in supply chain management, said he thinks students who use this site to buy time are cheating.

“Everybody has to be dealt with on the same time line,” Burns said. “It’s not fair for one student to get to turn their work in late.”

FOY

>From A1

on-campus, she said.

During the 2008 fall semester, Auburn University administered an online survey asking what kinds of food were wanted for on-campus dining.

The survey resulted in tell-

ATHLETICS >From A1

SEC matchups, Naughton said.

“Our ticket sales are down five to six percent so far,” Naughton said. “I think it’s the economy mainly. Most of the reasons people have given us for not buying tickets have to do with just not being able to afford it this year.”

Still, he said he is confident that most tickets won’t be available for long. This year, Auburn sold all its tickets through a new online system.

Currently, e-mails are being sent to ticket holders from the last five years describing ticket packages and the

However, the FAQ section Burns said about half of his of the Web site does encour- professors at Auburn have age students to only send a required work to be submitcorrupted file to a professor ted via e-mail, while the rest as a last rerequire it be sort and to turned in duralways ask for ing class time.

It’s not fair for a deadline ex“Even if tension first. they’re not one student to get J o h n getting it in as Hagerty, a to turn their work in good of shape professor of late.” as it could English, said Joey Burns be, you don’t he now resophomore, supply want to be quires his chain management letting people students to get around submit work the rules,” in person rather than via e- Hagerty said. mail after having issues with Hagerty said though he students sending him incom- has not been suspicious that patible files. students have e-mailed him “Usually there were two is- corrupted files, he does think sues,” Hagerty said. “Some- professors should watch out times it would just not be for them. compatible and I wasn’t able “If students are doing this to download it and I would more and more, and I susjust e-mail them back and pect that will be happening say, ‘I’m not able to get that.’ a lot more if there are ways Two, sometimes you worry they can get around the rules, about viruses.” then it may be something we

should take a closer look at,” Hagerty said.

Emmett Winn, interim associate provost, said Auburn’s records show that since fall 2004 there have not been any cases of students intentionally using corrupted files submitted to the Office of the Provost.

However, Winn said Section 1201 (#7) of Auburn’s Academic Honesty Code states that “altering or misusing a document is a violation and that associated violations may be referred to the committee for action.”

Winn said the punishment for violating the Honesty Code varies according to the severity of the situation.

“So, the evidence for each case is considered by the committee in determining appropriate sanctions,” Winn said. “Possible sanctions include a zero grade on the assignment, an F in the course and/or suspension.”

ing administration that students want more ethnic food options.

This information was used to determine what is going into the new food court, Robinson said.

“I do think variety is a good thing, however I don’t eat oncampus that often,” said Kelly Day, a junior in liberal arts.

ing as it’s such a huge Auburn landmark.”

Chef ’s Table on the ground level of the Student Center will be moved to where the University planned to place the Auburn University Bookstore’s Tiger Den. The additional space will provide a wider variety of food options.

“

games that are still available, Naughton said. The ticket office will also begin to advertise heavily in newspapers and online, he said.

“Auburn has no medical school and no law school,” Naughton said. “We’re the farmers and the engineers, and we’re still drawing great crowds. That says a lot for Auburn.”

Naughton said that Auburn fans are loyal to their team and their town.

“I have bought student tickets each year that I’ve been at Auburn,” Vollenweider said.

“And I will keep buying them, no matter what kind of team we are projected to have, as long as I can.”

“But for freshman it seems like variety is key in maintaining a healthy diet.”

She believes that giving Foy a facelift will be appealing to prospective students and parents.

“The new student center will never be Foy,” Day said.

“It’s good that they’re taking the time to keep Foy alive see-

News, A3

The Auburn Plainsman

COMMENTARY The Auburn Plainsman Founded in 1893 As The Orange & Blue Vol. 116, No. 33

News Editor

Andrew Sims Online Editor

Natalie Wade Editor

Julian Kersh

Managing Editor

Patrick Dever Sports Editor

Ashlea Draa Photo Editor

Natalie Nettles

Kevin Saucier

Intrigue Editor

Copy Editor

All Of Our View The following editorial is the expressed, unsigned view of not only the editorial staff, but also the view of the business staff of The Auburn Plainsman.

Staff agrees upon traits for position

Dean Green, The selection of a general manager for The Auburn Plainsman has been a long process, but something we know will be well worth the wait. We’ve met the candidates and feel confident that one of them will make a perfect fit.

After talking it over and coming to some agreed upon conclusions, we, The Plainsman’s entire student staff, have put together a list of attributes we feel would make a person qualified to become our general manager.

The list is not tailored to one candidate, but is simply a list of characteristics our ideal candidate would possess.

We also understand the final decision is not ours, but yours Dean Green, so we only hope this editorial will weigh in as a factor in your decision.

Since the role of general manager is multifaceted, we feel the person who is chosen must have the required experience to deal with all aspects of The Plainsman.

First and foremost, we understand

this person will be responsible for helping to turn around the paper’s financial situation, and so this person should have a background in business dealings. Specifically we feel the ability and knowledge to train students on how to sell online advertisements would be preferred.

We also feel a person who is: • able to think outside the box, • humble enough to find outside resources when their answers are not sufficient, • approachable, • enthusiastic about their job, and • able to work well with students would be a great addition to our team.

Finally, we think we need a person who has a strong sense of direction for our paper.

These are only our suggestions for what should be considered when determining who will fill the role of general manager, no more.

Thank you for your consideration, The Auburn Plainsman

Our View

Credit card legislation step on the right path

If signing up for a credit card is something you celebrate, that’s one more celebration that’ll have to wait for that 21st birthday.

Requiring that a card signer be 21 years old or have a co-signer if under 18 to obtain a credit card is one of many changes for plastic cash come February 2010 that are outlined in the new Credit CARD Act of 2009.

While this is another form of legislation that points out and attempts to corral the irresponsibility of young folks, we’re on board with it.

Many of us have either personally fallen victim to the “I’ll get a credit card when I go to college” plan gone awry, or know someone who has had the same misfortune.

The problem is that 18-year-olds running around with credit cards, whether irresponsible or not, typically don’t have too much experience with credit, which often snowballs into the exponentially increasing interest fees and nightly calls from 1-800 numbers, demanding more money.

Credit card companies know this chain of events, and prey off it.

When freshmen flock to Auburn or any other university, they find credit card companies staked out, waiting like alligators at the watering hole.

Though instead of a gazelle being turned into the day’s main course, these students become the proud owners of a glimmering credit card, and soon thereafter, not-so-shiny

debt to pay off.

We understand that picking up a credit card to help with some of the financial burdens of entering college is a common and often smart plan, because several of us had the same notion.

However, settling into the college life while balancing schoolwork and a job to pay off those credit card charges is often a situation that leaves people struggling to make payments.

This is why we feel like pushing back the age of credit card acquirement, sans parents, to 21 is a good idea. These few years allow for the growth of maturity and comprehension key in effectively being a card wielder.

We also agree that the required “Econ” high school courses could help soon-to-be college students harness the temptations of a brand new credit card with heightened credit card education.

The largest downfall to the Credit CARD Act of 2009 is that it will delay the process of people beginning their credit, which is checked for signing leases or buying cars. This could make it difficult when leaving college with minimal credit.

Then again, we don’t agree with the whole “credit is credit” attitude.

It’s certainly better to be delayed a few years and limit the fallout then to fall into a credit pit-trap early in the going.

Our Policy The opinions of The Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to these pages. These unsigned editorials are the majority opinion of the eight-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 Auburn University students, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.

Thursday, JUNE 25, 2009

Thank you social media

The Editorial Board Allison Clark

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NATALIE WADE editor@theplainsman.com

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ocial media has now taken a step in the right direction to become a more credible and informative tool.

Sadly this step is at the cost of people’s lives and freedom.

In the last week the whole world has seen the few glimpses being spread about the riots in Iran over the recent disputed election process.

As a journalist I hold a strong belief in the ability to share knowledge with the public. Most

often the knowledge, or truth, is divulged only because a person works with a respected publication of some sort.

It’s sad to say that now the roles have reversed in this incident and any ties with a publication will now grant a person an answer of “no comment” to any burning question they may have.

The Iranian government is being incredibly tight-lipped about the situation, not to mention the inability of journalists to infiltrate the region, and the truth has not been made available.

But through social media such as Facebook and Twitter, cell phone photos and videos bystanders are taking and recording can now be available to take the place of AP photos.

The greatest thing about these advances in technology is the immediacy that accompanies the uploaded pics and videos. Most of the news values we are learning

as aspiring journalists at Auburn University are being covered: Timeliness, relevance, impact, prominence and conflict.

Thanks to these bystanders the world is being updated on the true horror Iran is going through, simply over the right to a just election. I daresay most journalists wouldn’t risk their lives to upload a photo like these people are.

The next time you upload an emo picture of yourself think about the risk these people are under for exposing the truth.

For those who condem social media as worthless and counterproductive, let these few examples shine as how social media can be used to its greatest extent.

This is the future of breaking news and I’m a fan.

Natalie Wade is the editor of The Auburn Plainsman. You can reach her at 844-9021.

Chivalry is not dead in South

ANNA SCHIERHOLZ anna.schierholz@theplainsman.com

Before my enrollment at Auburn, the South was mysterious, uncharted territory for this city girl. Though St. Louis is technically below the Mason-Dixon line, I surely didn’t feel Southern.

I’d heard all the stereotypes. My fellow Midwesterners warned me of the irresistible charm of boys with a Southern twang, the prissy Southern belles, the fried food that might assist in my gaining of the freshman 15.

I came prepared to fend off these typecasts, but Auburn quickly won me over. Now, after two years here, I like to think of myself as an adopted Southerner.

Looking back, I’m not sure if it was the sweet tea, the fratty short

shorts, the 2007 Iron Bowl or the toilet paper that trimmed the trees of Toomer’s Corner for the week that followed.

But, one thing that I know helped the south win me over was the graciousness and politeness of the Auburn men around me. Much to my surprise, chivalry is not dead down south.

In my bustling, mid-sized city, businessmen and women scamper the streets, desperately searching for their next dollar.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my hometown, but I would never expect to hear a friendly “hello” from a stranger or have my car door opened by a date.

All along, I thought these actions were antiquated and extinct in modern America. I couldn’t have been happier to be proven wrong.

At the beginning of my fall semester freshman year, I was power walking up the steps toward the Haley Center, trying to remember how to navigate the quadrant system, when I spotted an endangered species of man, one only found in the south.

He was holding the door open

for me, though I was a good 20 steps behind him. When I reached the door, he nodded politely, and I nodded back, slightly shocked.

This experience was the first of many.

Sadly, I can’t help but realize that women have assisted in the demise of chivalry. We are accomplices to the murder, demanding equality in a male dominated society. Though I absolutely believe a woman can do anything a man can do, I do appreciate the perks that a chivalrous guy can provide.

I like to have my car door opened for me, to not worry about who is going to pick up the check at dinner on a first date, to be walked to my front door at the end of an evening.

Maybe the desire for chivalry is a trivial, girlish naivete, but I think there is more to the traditional Southern mating ritual.

Chivalry keeps the girls happy and the guys trying. So please, protect the endangered species.

Anna Schierholz is the associate sports editor of The Auburn Plainsman. You can reach her at 844-9109.

Wasting excessive time online

CHRISTIAN BECRAFT christian.becraft@theplainsman.com

I don’t have many hobbies, but when it comes to procrastination, and with the Internet as my guide, you can just call me an expert.

The Internet is a helpful tool for procrastination, one that everyone tinkers with. If you say you don’t you are either lying or you just honestly are not fascinated with the Internet like I am, living without the care to figure out its black hole nature, and for that I applaud you.

Whether I am looking up movie times on moviefone.com or looking up a word on dictionary.com with every intention of it being a quick browse, I soon am lost in the millions of Web sites in the cyber world.

The extras on Google always get me, and when I am looking up movie showings on moviefone. com I always want to search the reviews which then leads me to

imdb.com which sucks me in for at least an hour as I browse trailers and upcoming releases.

Google is also a black hole by force. One little search for an article on “Wuthering Heights” and Emily Bronte’s underlying theme of love’s destruction for a World Lit paper (or just for curiosity) could turn into numerous hours on Amazon.com looking at what other users purchased when they bought Emily Bronte’s only novel.

Or, when searching for tickets for a Vampire Weekend concert could lead to my realization that I need a new concert outfit leading to lost time on neetmagazine. com’s “A to Z Stockists’” page.

It’s procrastination at its finest.

It is the reason why I write most of my articles’ rough drafts first on paper or on my computer with my wireless connection turned off.

The Internet is taking over, just as forgetting your cell phone at home puts you in a frenzy when fifteen years ago, I assume, cell phones were superfluous. When wireless networks cannot be found most users will inconvenience themselves to a different location to stay connected.

The Internet is convenient.

A friend of mine told me (on Facebook chat, a conversation that turned into 30 minutes when I was just getting on to see the

details of an event invitation) that she’ll look up the weather on weather.com before opening the door to see how hot it is.

Everything can be found online. Newspapers, articles, books, music, clothes, food. Did you know you can now order food online? Restaurants such as Papa John’s or Roly Poly can take orders online while still giving the pick-up or delivery option as well.

As much as I enjoy my ridiculous infatuation with the Internet and staying connected, I realize the need to stay connected with people should be much more important. I love the tangibility of a newspaper. I love the sound of a Beatle’s record in my record player. I love trying on clothes in the store. I love clarifying my order at Roly Poly when I am certain the person on the other end of the phone thinks I am crazy for wanting a grilled cheese with honey mustard.

I will always have a love-hate relationship with the Internet its several resources at my fingertips and ability to lose time in its infinite world. However, I realize the need for distance between this cyber companion for the sake of time,Christian friendships and my Becraft is wallet. the associate intrigue editor of The Auburn Plainsman. You can reach him at 844-9109.

The Auburn Plainsman

NEWS

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009

A5

Community gathers for art walk

Austin Nelson / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR

Left: Local children run and hula hoop in the artfilled streets of downtown Friday evening during the annual SummerNight art walk. Residents felt the art walk was a success and more popular than past years.

Above: Always there to help, Aubie shows a local kid how to properly hula hoop with four hoops.

By JENNIFER BECKETT Staff Writer

Hula hooping, face painting, dough tossing, scavenger hunting – a mere glimpse of the array of activities and attractions at the 2009 SummerNight downtown art walk held Friday, June 19 on College Street and Magnolia Avenue.

Started by the Auburn Arts Association, SummerNight features artists from Auburn and surrounding areas gathered downtown to display and sell paintings, pottery, quilts, jewelry and other artistic wares to students and families of the Auburn community.

“This is an opportunity for the entire community to support the arts,” said Sarah Hand, art specialist and cultural director of the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department.

“People can experience innovative performances and can shop local downtown businesses after hours.”

Artists lined the streets with their creations displayed in front of the shops.

“I’ve dabbled in crafts all my life,” said Carolyn Lord, an artist and member of the Renaissance Artists’ Society. “I started pastel painting classes about five years ago.”

The Renaissance Artists’ Society meets regularly to organize art shows and to have fun, Lord said.

The intense June heat did not deter Auburn’s avid art supporters – or many others, for that matter.

“We had a wonderful turnout and record attendance this year,” Hand said.

About 45 artists participated, which is double the number who came last year, Hand said.

Surrounded by his paintings of landscapes and portraits on easels outside of Bizilia’s Café, artist Phillip Zenor said he started painting because he thinks it is fun.

“I’ve painted off and on all my life,” he said, “but I started really playing with it when I spent the winter in Naples, Florida.”

A returning participant of the art walk, Zenor has focused on painting only six months, he said.

He said his long-term goal as an artist is just to enjoy himself.

Around the corner in front of Little Italy Pizzeria stood Sam Pittinos and Mary Collins up to their elbows in flour tossing dough for a crowd of children.

“We just show them how to roll it and let them play with it,” said Collins, a senior in anthropology and pizzeria employee.

Neither Collins nor Pittinos has participated in the art walk until this year.

“I have been here for four years, and I don’t know how I missed it,” Collins said.

Also new to the downtown art scene, Kristina Azar laughed as she watched the kids playing with dough.

“I think it’s awesome that we actually get to see families,” said Azar, a sophomore in biomedical sciences. “As a university town, we see so many student faces; it’s fun to get to see families, also.”

Auburn provides a hometown atmosphere to many people, even those not originally from the area, Azar said.

Students of ART 3010 at Auburn University

assisted in the children’s area, Hand said.

“The students were a huge part of SummerNights,” Hand said.

Azar appreciates art, but does not partake, she said.

“I look at all of these paintings and wish I had the finesse,” she said.

Breaking free of the confines of paper and canvas, Laura Banks explores artistic endeavors on wheels.

The back of her jersey reads “Lucy Ferocious” and displays her team number.

Dressed in a black tulle skirt, fishnets and roller skates, Banks described her involvement in the Burn City Rollers, Auburn’s fullcontact female roller derby.

The skaters participate in “bouts,” a mixture of soccer, hockey and skating, she said.

“Two teams come together, five girls on each team,” Banks said, “and the goal is to get the ‘jammer’ through the ‘pack’ to get points.”

Anything goes as far as clothing, she said.

“We wear different colored jerseys, tutus, fishnets,” Banks said. “It’s really just personal preference and how much you want to get

New airport terminal underway

By JORDAN BRANTLEY Staff Writer

Ashlea Draa / PHOTO EDITOR

Cumberland is one of the two companies to undergo expansion.

Local companies expand, add jobs

By JORDAN BRANTLEY Staff Writer

Two Auburn manufacturers are planning to expand their production and employee base.

Cumberland Plastic Systems LLC and Donaldson Company Inc. will be adding additional employees within the next two years.

Alison Petersen, human resources representative for Cumberland, said Cumber-

land plans to hire at least 51 employees over the next two years.

Jim Noreault, plant manager for Donaldson, said Donaldson Company plans to hire 25 employees starting in January 2010.

Petersen said it is not an immediate physical expansion, but a production expansion where the company will buy new machines and hire > Turn to EXPAND, A6

Last Thursday was the ground-breaking for a new terminal at the AuburnOpelika Robert G. Pitts Airport.

The airport has been operational since 1930 and has been in need of repair since the 1980s, said Bill Hutto, airport director.

He said planning for the new addition started in 2002, but once construction begins, the terminal should be completed within one year.

“The building is too small to accommodate the demands that we have today in personnel and the people in the community,” said Hutto. “It has many maintenance issues that are ongoing, including roofs and walls that leak, and it’s too close to the runway to meet the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards.”

The guest list for the ceremony included members of the Auburn University Board of Trustees, the city councils of Auburn and Opelika, Lee County commissioners, city and county officials and the FAA. The airport is used by the University for aviation students and also serves the community as a public airport.

Hutto said with more than 65,000 aircraft operations each year, the airport’s size would not be able to support their

mission.

“Many of our corporations that are based in Auburn, Opelika and Lee County fly into the airport,” Hutto said.

“The local government sees having a nice, efficient functioning airport as an economic tool.”

Hutto said the new terminal will include a conference room which will better serve their customers.

They will be able to fly into the airport, meet, then fly out from the same location.

“Once it’s completed and customers land, they will know that they have landed in a modern, progressive community,” Hutto said.

Mayor Bill Ham said it is a necessary economic development tool.

He also said the new terminal will have a positive effect on the Auburn community.

“It’s the first thing companies want to know about,” Ham said. “The locale of the airport, the number feet of runway, how accessible it is and whether they can get their corporate planes in and out with ease. That’s the primary reason the two cities and the county put in almost $5 million to make it happen.”

State Rep. Mike Hubbard said he has been interested in seeing improvements in the airport terminal for some time.

“There is no doubt that we are under served in this community,” Hubbard said. “We are one of the most progressive communities, but we unfortunately have one of the worst airports. That is not the impression we want to give people when they first arrive in Auburn.”

Hubbard said the fast-growing community deserves to have a first-class airport that will encourage progress in the region.

“It’s a catalyst for economic development, needed for the University, aviation management, flight training programs and also for the community,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard has been working closely with the education trust fund and the Department of Transportation to secure funds for the terminal. Hutto said Hubbard has been a real champion for the airport.

“I’ve been able to secure $4.7 million, and I know the cities and counties are committed to putting money up,” he said.

Hubbard said he commended the region for working together and supporting the community.

“This is a classic example of how the two cities, the county, the university and the state are all working in concert together to make this plan a reality,” he said.

The Auburn Plainsman

NEWS, A6

EXPAND >From A5

more employees “We are a new company, and we’ve been working hard the past few years to get business,” Petersen said. “We are dependent on our customers for when they release projects, so our decisions to hire are an immediate effect.”

Cumberland is investing $2 million and Donaldson $3.5 million to add more to production lines.

Mayor Bill Ham Jr. made the announcement about the companies’ expansion at the last city council meeting.

“Obviously in these stressful times, jobs are being lost more than gained,” Ham said. “We do have a lot of unemployed people, but Lee County is one of the lowest unemployment areas in the state and having people gain employment is a good thing for the community.”

Mike Grier, manager of the Alabama Career Center Auburn-Opelika office, said the companies go through the career center to help with the hiring process.

“When the companies get ready to do something, they get with us and give us specific times, dates and job descriptions,” Grier said. “They ask us to prescreen, and we begin recruiting for them.”

He said the community was hit hard by the closing of Pace Industries, accounting for a loss of 157 jobs.

“Job creation is a vital part of our economy,” Ham said. “Not only do we immediately benefit from new jobs in the form of business licenses and occupational fees, but also through payroll injection into our local economy.”

Philip Dunlap, Auburn’s economic development director, said the new jobs give Auburn an optimistic future.

“I think anytime you add new positions that’s a positive,” he said.

He said the technology-based, valueadded manufacturers will create solid employment opportunities for our citizens.

“Cumberland is an outstanding example of one of the many partnerships that exist among our industries,” he said. “We have been fortunate to have Donaldson in Auburn for 10 years. Their products are well-

600 Webster Road Tiger Chevron Auburn 821-9996

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009

Congress signed on new credit card law for 2010

The Auburn Plainsman NEWS STAFF

ALLISON CLARK Editor SARAH HANSEN Associate Editor

To reach the staff, call (334) 844-9109.

By SARAH CRAFT Associate Copy Editor

Students under the age of 21 who hope to soon be paying with plastic may have to wait a little longer.

Congress signed the Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act of 2009 into law, which will go into effect February 2010.

H.R. 627-15, section (B)(i-ii) of the bill states that “an application to open a credit card by a consumer who has not attained the age of 21 … shall require signature of a cosigner … or submission by the consumer of financial information … indicating an independent means of repaying.”

In a nutshell, people under 21 who want to apply for a credit card cannot own a credit card in their own name.

They must either have their parent or spouse over the age of 21 co-sign, or the person must prove that he or she has sufficient income to repay the debt. The law states that the new, more stringent measures are meant to protect potential card applicants.

The section pertaining to applicants under 21 is titled “Protection of Young Consumers.”

“I think the current economic situation has reminded everyone money doesn’t grow on trees,” said Gov. Bob Riley’s press secretary Todd Stacy.

One other notable clause in the bill (H.R. 627-6, section (B)(k)(1)) states that customers must “opt in” for an over-the-limit fee.

This means that when a customer reaches his or her credit limit, the card will be declined unless the customer opts to pay a fee for overages.

One of the major goals of the bill is to cut down on these fines. Banks have issued optimistic statements regarding the new legislation.

“We support the efforts of Congress

Photo by Emma Robertshaw

A new credit card law was signed by Congress forbidding people under 21 from owning a credit card.

to protect consumers and can appreciate the rationale for the mandated changes,” said Jamie Grady, a representative for Wells Fargo.

Mike Rogers is Alabama’s District 3 Representative to Congress.

According to a statement on his Web site he said, “The bill should help level the playing field between credit card companies and consumers, and mandates that credit card companies provide consumers at least 45 days of written notice before any rate increases in clear English.”

Jenny Zuniga, a 20-year-old senior Spanish major, said she has had two credit cards since middle school.

“It was used for gas, but now I use it for expensive emergency things,” Zuniga said. “It seems (the bill) is trying to help younger people stay out of debt. I think it is a good thing.”

For pros and cons of owning a credit card, turn to B1.

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The Auburn Plainsman

INTRIGUE

Reel Review

B C

Thursday, JUNE 25, 2009

CERT offers emergency aid lessons

By JACLYN DUNN Staff Writer

tag light.

“I was like any other student thinking I could get away with it (drinking and driving),” Leger, said. “No one thinks they’ll get caught.”

Leger passed the sobriety field test and his blood alcohol content was under the legal limit.

“I got lucky and since then, I’ve learned not to think twice, and I always find an alternate way to get home,” Leger said.

Stofer said the best form of prevention for drinking and driving

Auburn University Public Safety and Lee County Emergency Management have implemented a new program to help victims in emergency situations.

The Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, is a group of individuals who have completed training hours in specific areas that allow them to be better prepared for emergencies.

“The emergency training prepares you for the aftermath of maybe a tornado or any kind of community emergency,” said Johnny Langley. department director of emergency management for Lee County.

The county offers a 21-hour course that takes place over several weeks and teaches participants about how to react in disaster-type situations.

“The course is in case first responders can’t get to you,” Langley said. “We try to teach citizens to be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours.”

The course covers every element of an emergency from disaster preparedness to search and rescue operations.

Langley said the biggest issue they try to stress to the citizens is that they need to have a plan for every possible event.

A similar CERT course is also available for faculty members on the Auburn University campus.

“The objective is to prepare each building,” said Susan McCallister, associate director of public safety information.

Faculty members from several buildings such as Haley Center and R.B. Draughon Library have already gone through the training course, and training will begin soon for the Student Center and Lowder.

McCallister said the vet school offers a course for students that specializes in how to care for one’s self as well as animals during disasters.

McCallister also said the course for Auburn faculty members is similar to the training course offered by the county.

Both courses prepare participants for

> Turn to DRIVING, B2

> Turn to CERT, B2

Photo illustration by Austin Nelson / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR

In the past five years, the number of drunken drivers in Auburn has risen, with the highest percentage being within the age group of 18 to 24-year olds.

Police see rise in drunken driving The Auburn Police Department says drunken driving, particularly among the college-aged demographic, has risen in Auburn during the past five years.

By JACLYN DUNN Staff Writer

Many different things mix well with alcohol, but driving is not one of them.

The number of drunken drivers in Auburn has risen steadily over the past five years; the highest percentage being within the age group of 18 to 24-year-olds.

This age group made up more than 67 percent of all DUI arrests during the past five years, according to the Auburn Police Department.

“Our numbers might be skewed

because we are in a college town,” Police Capt. Tom Stofer said.

Of the 67 percent of DUI arrests, around 30 percent were under the age of 21.

“It doesn’t matter if the legal age was 15 or 30, the issue is to stay out from behind the wheel,” Stofer said.

In 2008, the Auburn Police Department shows that of the 348 DUI arrests, 103 of them were made because of a traffic accident.

Stofer said drinking and driving is at the top of the department’s priority list.

“We don’t cut any slack,” Stofer said. “It is for safety.”

An alternative to getting behind the wheel after a night out is to call a taxi.

“I learned you don’t realize just how dangerous it is until it’s too late,” said Eli McCrory, a junior in building science. “You’re out having a good time and then things just escalate so quickly that you get behind a wheel without even thinking.”

Adam Leger, a junior in landscape horticulture, said he admitted to having a few drinks after being pulled over for a busted

Credit in college debatable

By STEPHANIE ENGLAND Staff Writer

Once away from the security of home, many college students have to make their own financial decisions.

Credit cards are popular and can offer many benefits, but they also can have incredible downfalls.

“College students, like adults, deserve access to credit cards,” said Jamie Grady, a Wachovia spokesperson. “Having a credit card has almost become a necessity in order to make travel arrangements, rent a car or purchase services over the phone and online.”

Credit cards have many benefits The right time to get a credit if they are used wisely, said Ed- card may depend solely on the inward Tonini, director of educa- dividual. tion for Alliance Credit Counsel“For most, the right time to get ing, Inc. a credit T h e y c a r d o f f e r would creditbe when The danger of using a building t h e y credit card, of course, is that is so m o v e assistance, convetempting to whip out that card at out and nience, become every purchasing opportunity.” protecfinanSven Thommesen, economic professor c i a l l y tion and w a y s indepento keep d e n t ,” track of spending. said Sven Thommesen, an eco “But a credit card is not a necessity,” Tonini said. > Turn to CREDIT, B2

Organization Highlight Every week this semester, The Plainsman will highlight a campus organization.

Check back next week to read about the Sailing Club.

“

Emma Robertshaw / PHOTO STAFF

Though credit cards are appealing, the debate continues over whether they should be a available to college students.

Auburn houses Mariners national headquarters

By STEPHANIE ENGLAND Staff Writer

Many students arrive at college with a desire to get involved on campus and give back to the community.

The Mariners, a service organization that supports Auburn University’s Naval ROTC, does just that.

Formed in 1977 by a group of women who saw that the NROTC needed support, Auburn’s chapter is the National Headquarters for the Mariners, as it was the first in the country to be estab-

lished.

The all-female group participates and helps with the NROTC drills, Junior ROTC drill meets and intramural sports, said Lt. James Dickey, the adviser for the Mariners.

They also help out the local community through various service projects throughout the year.

“We attend a few functions with the NROTC members every year,” said Morgan Bridges, the Mariners co-president. “We also work at the food bank, participate in Relay for Life, and volunteer at the human society and

Printed on Recycled Paper

community nursing homes.”

Twice a semester the Mariners help with the NROTC physical fitness training by giving out refreshments and food, making it a great way to interact on campus and get involved.

“The Mariners provide a unique service opportunity for students at Auburn while creating an easy atmosphere to get connected with students who have similar interests,” Bridges said.

Aside from service, the group also hosts several social activities allowing its members to get to know the men and women in

the unit better.

“In the past we have done things like themed movie nights, game nights and a Thanksgiving dinner,” Bridges said. “But I’m hoping to try some new things this year like maybe a casino night.”

An annual fall screening is held where potential members are interviewed.

Members of the Mariners pride themselves on supporting those who are doing so much for the country.

> Turn to MARINERS, B2

The Auburn Plainsman

Intrigue, B2

Scholarships offer relief to economic woes

By JUSTIN DORMAN Staff Writer

With the economy on the fritz and tuition prices on the rise, it is becoming ever more difficult to afford a college education.

Fortunately, Auburn University students have available to them a plethora of scholarship opportunities, ranging from general university scholarships to department, freshman and transfer scholarships.

Every year Auburn awards approximately 6,000 scholarships through the Office of University Scholarships.

In addition to the general scholarships awarded at the university level, Auburn also offers scholarships individually through the departments of each one of the 12 schools and colleges.

The money for these scholarships typically comes from donors and the Board of Trustees.

Ryan Villarreal, an undeclared sophomore in science

DRIVING >From B1

is education and enforcement.

According to the Insti-

CERT >From B1

disasters such as hurricanes, fires and power outages, but the on-campus course also covers a section specifically on terrorism.

After completing the 21 hours, citizens in the Lee County CERT are put through a disaster scenario exercise where the trainees report what they see to the instructors via radio commu-

CREDIT >From B1

nomics professor. “Like it or not, our society lives on credit and you need to build your credit score. Having a source of emergency cash is extremely useful until you can save enough to build an emergency fund.”

According to a press release by the Office of the Press Sec-

MARINERS >From B1

“They’re offering a lot for our country and it makes me feel good to know that I can give back to them even if it’s in just a small way,” Ashley Mund, co-president of the Mariners, said. “I just want to

and mathematics, thinks the scholarships are a blessing to families who may be suffering because of the rapidly declining economy.

“There are plenty of ways that Auburn helps it’s students,” Villareal said. “Financial aid, individual scholarships. The people who meet the right requirements go to school for next to nothing.”

Every year there are around 2,000 recipients of individual general scholarships, according to the Office of University Scholarships.

Auburn offers about 300 of these such scholarships and awards them during the spring semester between the months of February and April.

The Office of Scholarships are in charge of setting the criteria that current and prospective students must abide by to qualify.

There are specific minimum GPA requirements in order to be considered.

Incoming Freshman and transfer students must be

accepted for admission and have either a 3.0 high school GPA or a 3.0 transfer GPA. Students currently enrolled at Auburn must have a minimum 3.0 unadjusted GPA. Some colleges have differences in the criteria they require students to meet.

For example, in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, the primary determinant for awarding scholarships to freshmen is the prospective student’s SAT or ACT score.

Other colleges allow more breathing room with their requirements.

The School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, which awards around $100,000 annually, requires only that a student have an unadjusted cumulative GPA of 2.75 to be considered for departmental scholarships.

Also, the student must complete 12 credit hours in the semesters during and prior to the scholarship with a GPA of 2.5 and a grade no lower than a C in those class-

es.

Carolyn Smith, Scholarship Coordinator for the Building Science department thinks that although Auburn does have many opportunities to aid its students financially, the numbers are lower than ever because of the impact of an economy in recession.

Smith also said that her particular department gave out 67 scholarships to the tune of $116,763.

“It was lower this year because of the economy,” Smith said. “We do an online application usually based on financial need. Sometimes we do an academic award.”

Preston Fulghum, a senior in Health Administration, understands the burden of paying for one’s own education.

“I’ll bet there are hundreds of students at Auburn that would not be here were it not for scholarships,” Fulghum said. “It sure beats having to work two or three jobs and go to school at the same time.”

tute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, each year approximately 16,000 people are killed in alcohol related crashes, alcohol is a factor in almost half of all traffic fatali-

ties and every other minute a person is seriously injured in an alcohol related crash. “(Drunken driving) is irresponsible, and if you can’t make somewhat safe and

smart decisions while drinking or know your cut-off point, then you shouldn’t be drinking at all,” Paige Reiber, a senior in health administration for nursing, said.

nication.

The scenario puts them through a power outage, fake fires and other possible emergency situations, Langley said.

Both courses give participants who complete the course a backpack safety kit that includes a first aide kit, a wrench, medical gloves, a hard hat, and other emergency supplies.

However, McCallister said the one provided to faculty

members must remain on campus at all times.

“I think the emergency training is a great program,” Blair Stansell, a recent Auburn nutrition graduate, said. “It is a good way to make sure everyone is better prepared for anything that could happen.”

Lee County is offering CERT courses Sept. 12 through Nov. 12 for any citizen who wants to participate.

Langley said he recom-

mends having a group of 10 to 15 to get the most out of the experience.

The course is free and the directors are also willing to work out a training schedule that best works for the group.

The training offered at the University is funded by grants and donations.

McCallister said Auburn is hoping to provide more funding to expand the training to students.

retary for the White House, Americans pay $15 billion in credit card fees every year.

“It’s a big responsibility and you can get yourself into a lot of trouble misusing credit,” Tonini said. “We deal with thousands of people every year who are in that situation where they didn’t handle it responsibly and through circumstances they got into trouble with overspending

and costs.”

Tonini said companies give free reign when it comes to spending.

“The danger of using a credit card, of course, is that it is so tempting to whip out that card at every purchasing opportunity,” Thommesen said. “Then to not pay the full bill at month’s end is when the debt piles up. If you cannot discipline yourself, then

perhaps you should not have one.”

Thommeson suggests students get a fixed rate.

“If you plan to pay off the bill every month, then get a card with a low yearly fee,” Thommeson said.

give them a thanks for what they’re doing.”

The group meets once a week to discuss upcoming events and activities.

The group provides a great way for students to connect and interact.

Auburn’s Mariners have earned multiple service awards in the past, and other

universities are looking to them for help.

The University of Mississippi’s NROTC has called on Auburn to help them get their Mariners chapter up and running again, Bridges said.

The Mariners are planning a trip to visit Mississippi and help out the university in any way they can, Bridges said.

“They willingly volunteer their free time to help out the guys and girls that will go on after college in the service of their country and they willingly volunteer to help out on campus and around town,” Dickey said. “It’s great to be an adviser to a group of people that raise the standard for the rest of us.”

For information on the credit card law Congress signed for 2010, turn to A6.

Thursday, JUNE 25, 2009

The Auburn Plainsman INTRIGUE STAFF

NATALIE NETTLES Editor

CHRISTIAN BECRAFT Associate Editor

To reach the staff, call (334) 844-9112.

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Intrigue, B3

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Intrigue, B4

The Auburn Plainsman

REEL REVIEW ‘Year One’ Rating PG-13

H HOW WE RATE:

H - Dismal HH - Bearable HHH - Average HHHH - Good HHHHH- Excellent

Next Week’s Sequel Highlight: REEL REVIEW of

“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”

‘Year One’: a comedic miss “Year One,” Harold Ramis’ new, inaccurately titled comedy, that suggests the pairing of the neurotic, sensitive straight man and the fat, loud-mouthed schlub is as old as history itself.

Perhaps that’s why Jack Black and Michael Cera are playing to types so rigid they might as well be cast in stone.

If you’ve watched the trailer for the film then you already know the plot: Black’s Zed and Cera’s Oh live in a village in what is certainly not the first year of human existence.

The village is apparently in the Garden of Eden even though it’s clearly not, and Zed and Oh pine for Maya (June Raphael) and Eema (Juno Temple), respectively.

One day, Zed eats the forbidden fruit, and soon the two friends set out to explore the world as they pledge to return as heroes to win their loves.

Along the way they stumble from one Bible story to another, meeting Cain (David Cross) and eventually making their way to Sodom, where the people inexplicably speak with British accents.

Anyone going into this film expecting even a hint of the Ramis of old is in for a rude awakening, which is all the more bewildering given the wealth of comic talent both in front of and behind the camera.

How could he come up with this? Keep in mind: Harold Ramis is the person most responsible for the rise of chaos and revelry in comedy.

He introduced raunch to the mainstream with his script for “Animal House” and his partnerships with Bill Murray represent, for many, the standard of cynical, skewed comedy.

Judd Apatow in particular owes his career to Ramis, which might explain why he would finance such a terrible script.

Then again, maybe it exerted the same

strange influence over him as it apparently did the others.

It doesn’t help that Cera and Black are playing their old shtick: Cera is ironically detached, while Black doesn’t read his lines so much as shout them like a drunken William Shatner. Occasionally, he simply devolves into noises and funny faces.

Why not just jangle keys at us, too?

And as shoddy as the script is, Ramis’ direction fares no better: for some reason, he devotes most of the shots of this epically scaled comedy to close-ups, as if he was desperate to get a reaction, any reaction, out of the bored actors.

“Year One” is clearly shooting to be a piece of satirical blasphemy à la Monty Python’s “Life of Brian,” but it can’t even hit the simpler parody of “History of the World Part I.” It’s filled to the ceiling of its PG-13 rating with sodomy, circumcision and gay jokes – Oliver Platt’s turn as a high priest makes Ken Jeong’s mincing mobster look like a character from “The Wire” – yet Ramis is just wary enough of incurring any protests that he plays it frustratingly safe.

Yes, for all its gross-out gags, the only bold aspect of the entire film was the decision to include a blooper reel, as the thought of watching the crew having a good time with this after torturing us for 97 minutes is just insulting.

At least the cast has the decency to look as uncomfortable in these candid moments as they do in the final product.

Make no mistake: “Year One” is among the worst films of recent years, and the nadir of Ramis’ career.

Cross those fingers for “Ghostbusters III,” everyone.

— Review by Jake Cole Opinions Staff

Thursday, JUNE 25, 2009

The Plainsman welcomes Ainsley Carry, Auburn’s new Vice President of Student Affairs

The Auburn Plainsman

SPORTS

B5 Thursday, JUNE 25, 2009 2009 OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD NATIONAL CHAMP Joanna Atkins won the 400 meter title at the NCAA Division I National Championships. With a personal-best time of 50.39 ATKINS seconds, Atkins ranks second in the world in her event this year.

She shaved nearly a second and a half off her previous record time This was Atkins’ first national title.

“I was a little nervous, so I told myself to just run, and I did and I’m so thankful,” Atkins said. “I decided if they wanted to beat me they had to come get me.”

PLAINSMAN ARCHIVES

Sophomore Katy Frierson keeps the ball from a defender in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Frierson had nine goals in 2008.

Soccer kicks it into gear

By HOLLY HERETH Staff Writer

As the summer heats up, the Auburn Women’s Soccer team prepares for the season kickoff in August. Last season, Auburn tied Louisiana State University for the SEC West Championship, placed 2nd in the SEC Tournament and played in the NCAA Tournament. This season, the coaches and players are hoping to go even further.

“We are looking forward to bringing home 1st place in the SEC Tournament next year, but we have to take the season one game at a time and focus on a victory in every single match,” said forward Lydia Townsend, an undeclared sophomore in liberal arts.

This summer, the team members are training individually to get ready for their first game against Samford on Aug. 23.

“If we are prepared individually, then we can begin building as a team during preseason,” said midfielder Monica Afanador, a senior in public relations.

The team will start practicing together on Aug. 7, giving them two weeks to work together as a team before the first game.

“Soccer is a sport of physicality and endurance, and returning in top notch shape is the most important thing as we start off our season,” Townsend said.

“There is always the challenge of being able to gel together on the field within such a short period of time between our

first practice and our first match.”

Karen Hoppa, head coach of the Tigers, said she is confident in the team’s discipline for the summer as they are training on their own.

“We’ve got such a great group of rising seniors that we aren’t worried about the team at all,” she said. “They will stay on top of everybody and make sure every body is ready to go.”

The nine freshmen that Auburn is welcoming will be given the challenge of playing with the team for the first time after only a few weeks of practice, but Afanador is confident in their abilities.

“I am very excited about the nine incoming freshmen for next year,” she said. > Turn to SOCCER, B6

A bump with coach Benson

By GRACE HENDERSON Staff Writer

Wade Benson has been coaching volleyball for more than 20 years. As head coach of the women’s volleyball team at Auburn, he and his staff bring a lot of experience and passion to the game.

“Speaking for everybody, I can tell you that we really enjoy Auburn as a school and as an area to live and raise a family,” Benson said. “I’ve enjoyed the different sports that I’ve been able to go out and support, and the volleyball program, I believe, is making its next step forward.”

Growing up in Southern California sparked his interest in volleyball, he said, because he was around it all the time. Benson attended the University of Oregon where he played both beach and indoor volleyball and he began coaching high school teams in the Portland area. He came to Auburn as an assistant coach after working as head coach at Eastern Washington University.

Assistant coach Chris Campbell said he would describe coach Benson as

passionate, intense and would’ve been a counselor driven. because the two professions “He’s always looking are similar,” he said. “There’s for ways to improve, alteaching involved in coaching ways looking for an edge, obviously, but there’s also a lot for a way to get better, for of growth training.” a way to gain an advanIt’s important, he said, to tage,” Campbell said. have someone around to help Benson said one thing make the tough decisions that makes Auburn great that come with being in colBENSON is its extremely supportlege. ive community.

Benson said he is confi“(Auburn) has a lot dent in the team’s future. of pride in the University, both on the “We’re bringing in eight or nine freshacademic side and the athletic side,” he men, which is over half the team,” he said. “It’s a place that has the ability to said. “We have no seniors, so 2009 is gosupport its programs well, which allows ing to be a year where we’re really getthe coaches to have a chance to be suc- ting used to each other and getting our cessful. Those two areas are very strong, younger players involved in the SEC.” and they are things that coaches appreCampbell said he is excited to see ciate.” what the next season will bring.

He said that the recruiting in the area “We’ve got a great recruiting class is strong. coming in, and we’ve got a great group of Counseling, teaching and competi- returning players,” he said. “We feel like tion are the three best aspects of coach- this is the first step in rebuilding Auburn ing, Benson said. volleyball.” > Turn to BENSON, B6 “If I wasn’t going to be a coach, I

Fall 2009 home volleyball schedule War Eagle Invitational (August 28 - 29) Aug. 28 Alabama A&M 7 p.m.

Aug. 29 Iona 10 a.m.

Aug. 29 Alabama-Birmingham 4 p.m.

Sept. 2 Troy. 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 Jacksonville State 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 Alabama 6 p.m.

Sept. 25 LSU 6 p.m.

Oct. 25 Mississippi State 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 Ole Miss 6 p.m.

Oct. 4 Arkansas 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 16 Florida. 6 p.m.

Oct. 18 USC 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 13 Tennessee 6 p.m.

Nov. 15 Kentucky 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 25 Georgia 6 p.m.

Tiger Tweets

By COURTNEY JOHNSON Staff Writer

Auburn’s athletic department is keeping up with fans across the country by utilizing social networking Web sites. Sites like Twitter, MySpace and Facebook have become a new and easy way for fans to receive the latest information about their favorite teams.

Twitter is a way for the football department to keep in touch with fans.

The football team has their own Twitter account, FootballAU, that it use to countdown until kick off, post articles published in newspapers all over the country about the team and update fans on the team’s hard work.

There are also unofficial Auburn athletic Twitter accounts, created by fans, which are a great way to be informed about what all of Auburn’s teams are doing.

These Twitter user’s post about upcoming events, ticket purchasing information, schedule updates and season recaps.

For fans already on Twitter, simply “following” the Auburn athletic teams is an easy way to stay in touch.

“I graduated from Auburn a couple of years ago and live in Atlanta, so I like to stay on top of any information about football games and Auburn events so that I can plan to come in town,” said Evyan Mischke, an Auburn alumni. “I already have a Twitter for work and personal use, so it makes it much easier to just follow the sports team’s accounts.

It helps me keep up with everything going on in Auburn.”

Facebook is also a popular way for fans to keep in touch. Groups like “The Auburn Ticket Exchange” and “Auburn Football” serve as forums and chat rooms for

fans to discuss upcoming events and to buy and sell tickets.

“Freshmen year, I didn’t get a full season of tickets, so using Facebook helped me out a lot,” said Lana Alessio, a senior in marketing. “It made it much easier to get in touch with people selling some of their tickets and I ended up going to most of the games.”

David Finch runs a Web site called “Social Media Explorer” and explains ways to utilize technology.

“Facebook is a great place for video and photos to be uploaded,” Finch said. “Not only is it ideal for up-to-date content where fans can participate with the ability to facilitate discussion boards but also to receive the latest information on games and team related events. Twitter can be the ultimate communication tool for last minute changes. “ Finch also addresses the benefits of a team blog as a conversation piece that is easily updated with pictures and video that are easily shared and current schedules and player profiles that can be updated.

Brad Gust, Auburn Associate Media Relations Director, explained that the only official social media network he was aware of was the Auburn football team’s Twitter account.

“There will be one specifically for Coach Chizik in the future but for now, FootballAU is the only one,” Gust said. He advised that, like anything else on the Internet, use some caution when reading third party sites, not officially associated with the University.

“Hopefully, the information put out by others is accurate but it isn’t necessarily,” Gust said.

The Auburn Plainsman

Sports, B6

SOCCER >From B5

“They are ranked the top recruiting class in the SEC West by TopDrawerSoccer.com. I can’t wait to see the skills and personalities they will bring to our team.”

One of those freshman will be the team’s new goalkeeper.

“Our biggest challenge probably is going to be having a freshman in goal,” Hoppa said. “Everybody making that adjustment to a new keeper is going to be tough because it’s such a crucial position, but we are very excited about this class.”

Hoppa thinks they will gel well.

“They bring in a ton of depth to the team and they will be a great compliment to a returning group of players,”

Hoppa said.

Even with nine new players and a new goalkeeper, the team is setting high goals.

“Each year our team creates a list of goals we want to achieve before the season ends,” Afanador said.

“Some of our goals include winning the SEC West, the ‘Iron Bowl’ of soccer, placing first in the SEC, winning the SEC Tournament and making it to NCAAs.” Florida, the defending SEC champion, is going to be among the toughest for the team to rival.

Afanador said while they are hopeful for a Florida win, it’s not the focus.

“Even though I’d like to see us beat Florida, our team never looks ahead in our season,” Afanador said. “We focus on one game at a time.”

BENSON >From B5

Benson said he feels no pressure being ranked 26th in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com because the teams knows what it is capable of doing, especially in the 2010 season.

“We really believe that 2010 is going to be the year that we’re really going to strike,” Benson said. “2009 we’ll be growing, and 2010 we’ll be showing.”

Improvements on the student activities building has really helped boost attendance during the season, Benson said, but hopes people will continue to come out and support the team in the future.

Fans like Sara Beth Terry, a senior in human development and family studies, are eager for next season. “I love watching Auburn volleyball because you can really see their unity on the court,” Terry said.

Todd Van Emst/ MEDIA RELATIONS

Auburn receivers Tim Hawthorne (top left), Terrell Zachery (top right), Harry Adams (bottom left) and Derek Winter (bottom right) evade defenders after catching the ball.

Catching up with AU’s 2009 receiving corps

By NICK VAN DER LINDEN Staff Writer

The time of Ben Obomanu, Devin Aromashodu, and Courtney Taylor, has long come and gone, and it’s time for Auburn to forget about past struggles.

Players said they were excited about the arrival of wide receiver coach Trooper Taylor, who they said instilled new life into the wide receiver group.

“It is not important what was said or done last season, it is all about what we have now., Taylor said.

The assistant coach said he is excited to say the least about the upcoming season.

He said he thinks he made the right decision in coming to Auburn.

“We’re all family here,” Taylor said. “We had a lot of time to get to know each other even better and share our ideas.”

Although there is no proven leader on the team yet, Taylor consistently praised Hawthorne throughout the spring for his maturation and said he could emerge as the team’s top receiving threat.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 214-pound receiver is fast, confident and bound to make big plays.

He will likely be accompanied by Alabama native Terrell Zachery.

The 6-foot-1-inch, 195- pound receiver said he is looking to improve even more from last

year as well as secure a starting spot.

“This year’s team is a lot better,” Zachery said. “The chemistry has improved and the team is a lot closer now.”

Zachery also said the aspect the players love about Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn’s offense is that the team never knows what to expect.

This aspect of his coaching always keeps the defense guessing.

To add on to the receiver group, Harry Adams has moved back to the wide receiver position from the secondary and said he is happy with the move.

Taylor said he had been after the 6-foot 185-pound Adams for quite some time.

“Even when he was at DB, I was still recruiting him,” Taylor said. “I think he likes the idea of getting his hands on the ball and making some plays.”

At the end of the day, Chizik said Auburn will be a run-first team.

But he added he will still need playmakers to step up in the passing game.

This year could be that year with the help of former five-star recruit DeAngelo Benton and signing day-addition Emory Blake.

Zachery is confident the wide receivers will do their part in the run-based offense in the coming year.

“The wide receivers are now the best part of the offense,” Zachery said.

Thursday, JUNE 25, 2009

The Auburn Plainsman SPORTS STAFF

PATRICK DEVER Editor

ANNA SCHIERHOLZ Associate Editor

To reach the staff, call (334) 844-9112.