INSIDE:
On The Web: More photos and video coverage of the Home Run Derby
SGA’s 15th annual Fall 5k, B4
The Auburn Plainsman A Spirit That Is Not Afraid
THURSDAY, October 22, 2009
Vol. 116, Issue 8 32 Pages
www.theplainsman.com
Ford, Auburn create GPS feature By BLAKE HAMILTON Associate Campus Editor
A car’s GPS is primarily known for getting one from point “A” to point “B,” but it may be able to make sure one gets there alive. Ford Motor Company is working with Auburn’s Department of Mechanical Engineering to develop a system linking positioning satellites to a car’s stability controls. “Basically, Ford has a URP program where they
select universities to work with them on partnerships,” said David Bevly, professor of Auburn’s GPS and vehicle dynamics laboratory. “They wanted to see how they could integrate the current systems on their vehicles and they called us to see if we could come up with better algorithms for stability.” The program is financed by a $120,000 grant from Ford, part of a $4 million total investment for 2009. The satellites’ ability to
detect the precise speed, sideslip and inertial measurements of a vehicle will enable the stability system to prevent incidents such as rollovers. The measurement and correction of a car’s skid, even at minimal levels, will be used to prevent largerscale deviations from the road if the driver were to temporarily lose focus. “A satellite orbiting the Earth could someday prevent an auto accident,” said Gerhard Schmidt,
Ford's chief technical officer and vice president for research and advanced engineering. “We applaud the Auburn team for these advancements and look forward to working together on the next phase of this research, including developing prototype vehicles.” Though the research was presented last week at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ International Conference on Systems, Man and Cy-
bernetics in San Antonio, Texas, it is unclear how long it will be before these systems are available on the market. “We’re in year two of our partnership with Ford,” Bevly said. “The research takes a long time, and it’s not exactly up to us when the technology is implemented. It’s up to Ford to integrate it into vehicles, and that time line is sometimes quite long.” It will likely be several years before a usable pro-
totype is produced. Ford executives are confident the steps being taken at Auburn will significantly shape how the cars of the future are produced. “Stability control is one of the most important safety technologies of this decade,” said Jeff Rupp, manager of Ford Active Safety Systems Engineering. “Ford is committed to safety leadership, and research partnerships like our work with Auburn help us achieve success.”
BSU hosts Fish, Freestyle By DAVID CRAYTON Staff Writer
Blakeley Sisk / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Chris Todd completes a pass to wide receiver Terrell Zachery.
Tigers sink to Wildcats, 21-14 By PATRICK DEVER Assistant Sports Editor
Auburn football (5-2, 2-2 SEC) lost to the University of Kentucky (3-3, 1-3 SEC) 21-14, Saturday. This marks the second loss for the Tigers this season. “The kids played hard and they played right down to the end,” said head coach Gene Chizik. “We fell short.” Kentucky’s defense held Auburn to 315 yards of total offense, 220 yards on the ground and 95 through the air. “They played a lot of base defense and didn’t give up any big plays to us,” Chizik said. Auburn opened up the scoring on a 69-yard field goal block return for a touchdown by sophomore defensive back Neiko Thorpe, in the first quarter. The Wildcats answered in the second quarter with a rushing touchdown by freshman quarterback Morgan Newton. Auburn was able to score a touchdown before the first half ended on a rush by senior running back Ben Tate. Tate tallied 132 rush yards on 31 carries. He has rushed for more than 100
INDEX
yards in all four SEC games this season. The third quarter was quiet, but Auburn penalties in the fourth quarter led to two Kentucky touchdowns. “Most of the night, I thought we played really well on defense, but they hit us with a couple of big ones, and it really ended up being the difference,” Chizik said. Kentucky was able to score two touchdowns in the last seven minutes of the game on runs of two and four yards by junior quarterback Will Fidler and sophomore wide receiver/quarterback Randall Cobb. Senior Auburn quarterback Chris Todd was 10 for 24 for 80 yards, an interception and no touchdowns. “We had our chances to hit some open receivers on some different routes, and it just didn’t seem like we were clicking in the passing game like we needed to be for whatever reason,” Chizik said. Kentucky is first to hold Todd under 100 yards passing this season. “He is out there trying hard,” Chizik said. “Sometimes you have those type of games.”
News A3 Opinions A6
The Black Student Union and the National Pan-Hellenic Council hosted the Freestyle, Fish, and Fun event in the Auburn University Student Center Monday. This event hosted to a gathering of students who went to have fun and eat free food. “The purpose of the Freestyle, Fish, Fun and Stroll Off is basically a social thing that we do with NPHC for everyone to come together after midterms and just come have a nice time having food, and we also have a contest with the Greeks,” said Shaquoya Williams, administrative vice president of the BSU. “So they get to win a trophy for the best fraternity and sorority.” The participating Greek organizations included Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma,
Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta and Omega Psi Phi. These Greeks were involved in a stroll-off which saw the Omega Psi Phi as best fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta as best sorority. Stroll-off is another form of stepping, which is a form of dancing. The music was provided by Opelika resident DJ Holleywood. Hip-hop played while Aubie himself made an appearance at the event, dancing with the Greeks. Dinner included chicken, green peas, corn, fish, macaroni and cheese and apple pie. The drinks provided included coke and orange soda. Another major part of the event was the freestyle. Freestyle is a display of talent including dancing, singing and rapping. “It has always been an an> Turn to BSU, A2
Rod Guajardo / PHOTO EDITOR
DJ Holleywood provides music for the BSU Freestyle, Fish and Fun.
Reaccreditation causes dean to retire By BLAKE HAMILTON Associate Campus Editor
After nearly two decades at the helm of the College of Sciences and Mathematics, Dean Stewart Schneller is stepping down. New $40 million buildings, the securing of $10 million in research funding and a growth in the average of COSAM majors by approximately 11,000 since the year 2000 are among the changes in Schneller’s tenure. So why give it up? Auburn and COSAM will be undergoing reaccreditation over the
next four years, followed by a capi- tation and work with the campus tal campaign ending and SACS committees.” in 2016, involving the Schneller is a tenured securing of donations. professor of chemistry “One of the things and biochemistry who that came to mind was directs a research prothat I didn’t see myself gram of Ph.D. and postas being dean in 2016,” doctoral students. His Schneller said. “Dodesire is to spend time nors give to people bepursuing new education cause they recognize techniques and potential the confidence and research abroad. vision that you have. I “Over the past few STEWART thought that perhaps years it has become it would be a good time for a new more competitive to seek outside dean to come into COSAM and prepare themselves for the reaccredi> Turn to DEAN, A2
Campus B1 Intrigue C1 Arts & Entertainment C6 Wasting Time C8 Sports D1