The Auburn Plainsman 03.24.16 Issue

Haley Fagan undeterred by knee injury Page 8

The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID

Thursday, March 24, 2016 Vol. 123, Issue 24, 12 Pages

First copy is free. Additional copies 50 cents per issue.

CAMPUS

Faculty says no to campus carry

COMMUNITY

JIM LITTLE / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The City Council discussing new zoning on March 22.

City Council approves zoning plan after 3-year process Jim Little

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DAKOTA SUMPTER / PHOTO EDITOR

University senate votes to oppose bill to allow guns on campus Corey Williams CAMPUS EDITOR

The Auburn University senate voted to oppose Alabama House Bill 12, a bill that would allow concealed pistol permit holders to carry concealed pistols on campus, at its March 22 meeting.

Alabama Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, is sponsoring the constitutional amendment. The bill was read to the state Legislature on Feb. 2 and referred to the Education Policy Committee.

“Very possibly a concealed carry first responder could have changed the outcome [of some mass murders,]” Butler said.

The University’s current gun policy prohibits the possession or use of any dangerous or potentially dangerous weapons, including all forms of firearms.

The introduction of concealed handguns into classrooms, laboratories, workshops, librar-

ies and other facilities will “create a climate of fear and intimidation that results in a hostile working environment inimical to the open and free exchange of ideas necessary to advance academic learning and achievement,” according to the senate resolution against HB12.

James Goldstein, senate chair-elect and English professor, wrote and presented the resolution.

“I’m sure many of you share my concerns about this bill,” Goldstein said. “I personally would feel less safe in a classroom with concealed handguns.”

A new Texas law will allow students 21 and older to carry guns on campus, provided the firearms are fully concealed. This law has sparked a nationwide discussion, Goldstein said, and the University senate must act quickly to oppose the bill.

Colorado, Idaho and Utah also have laws that allow people with concealed carry permits

to bring guns on to campuses of public colleges and universities, according to ArmedCampuses.com, a website created to lobby against allowing guns on campuses. Mississippi also allows guns on campus, but only by individuals who have “enhanced” training.

Jung Won Hur, educational foundations, leadership and technology senator, spoke on behalf of the education department.

“Several faculty members came to me this morning and shared great concern about this gun policy,” Hur said. “On behalf of our department, we would like to express that we believe allowing guns on campus would create hostile and unsafe learning and working environments. We strongly support this resolution.”

The resolution passed with 89 percent of the vote. Senate officers will now discuss how to effectively voice the faculty’s concerns to the state Legislature, Goldstein said.

Auburn has a new downtown master plan.

The process to develop and approve the plan that began in 2013, which drew sharp scrutiny from Auburn residents after the construction of 160 Ross in 2015, was approved Tuesday, March 22, at the Auburn City Council meeting.

The new plan creates a new category of multiple unit developments built for students called private dormitories in the master plan documents.

Auburn residents formed Keep Auburn Lovely to lobby the City Council to stop large studenthousing developments from being built such as the six-story building currently under construction on Wright Street and a planned seven-story building slated to be built at the corner of College Street and Glenn Avenue.

Under the new rules, those projects are grandfathered in, but private dormitories not already under development are prohibited in the Urban Core district, the traditional downtown area next to campus, north of Samford Avenue, south of the railroad tracks and stretching east to west from Burton Street to the middle of the block between Wright and Toomer streets.

Private dormitories may be built in the other zoning districts surrounding the Urban Core, but must be first approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment, and new regulations will restrict the size developments.

“A lot of people would say the genesis of all of this was the project across the street,” said Forrest

» See PLAN, 2

STATE

Fired ALEA chief says governor had affair with top aide, Bentley denies Maria McIlwain COMMUNITY EDITOR

Spencer Collier, former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency secretary, accused Gov. Robert Bentley of having an affair.

The accusation came after Bentley announced he had fired Collier on March 22 in a news release issued by the governor’s office.

“After an internal review, the ALEA Integrity Unit found a number of issues, including possible misuse of state funds,” Bentley said in the release. “I am disappointed to learn these facts, and today, I relieved Spencer Collier of his duties as ALEA Secretary.”

Collier had been on medical leave to recover from back surgery, according to the release.

“I was on a surgeon’s table when the governor and Stan Stabler were plotting this together,” Collier said at a press conference in Montgomery on March 23 streamed online by several state media outlets.

Stabler, who was acting secretary of ALEA, will remain in that position.

He denied Collier’s allegations, at a joint press conference with Bentley on march 23, saying the accusations were “completely false and without merit.”

Collier denied he ever misused

funds and said he found out about his termination via social media.

Collier said Bentley had an affair with Rebekah Caldwell Mason, his top adviser, and she had so much influence over him she was the “de facto governor.”

“From August 2014 to the present, it has become apparent to me that Rebekah Mason has wielded a level of influence over both the governor and state government that I have never seen in all my years of public service,” Collier said. “I have received complaints about her actions from law enforcement, government officials, other cabinet members and members of the Bentley family.”

Collier said Mason was involved in budget-cutting talks, and was “deeply involved” in the decision to close some driver’s license offices.

Collier said the first evidence of the affair came up in August 2014 when Stabler, then one of Bentley’s security officers, saw a text message from Mason to Bentley.

“On the cellphone there was a text that was sexual in nature,” Collier said.

Stabler told his then-supervisor, Ray Lewis, according to Collier.

Three days after Stabler saw the text, Lewis played Collier a tape of conversations between Mason and

VIA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Spencer Collier and Gov. Robert Bentley discuss security at football games in November 2015. Bentley fired Collier on March 22.

Bentley, where they were having an “inappropriate sexual conversation.”

That day, while he was accompanying Bentley to Greenville, Collier confronted him.

“I told Gov. Bentley that I loved him like a father, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him, except lie to a grand jury,” Collier said. “I made Gov. Bentley aware of the recording that I heard ... it was very obvious that it was sexual in nature. Gov. Bentley simply hung his head, and asked for advice of

how to get out of it.”

Collier told Bentley it is a crime to use state resources or campaign funds to carry out the relationship, which Bentley denied.

“At that point, Gov. Bentley gave me his word that he would terminate the relationship immediately,” Collier said.

However, Collier said Bentley called him the next morning and said he couldn’t end the relationship.

“Less than a month ago, the gover-

nor told me that he was still madly in love with Rebekah Mason, but he was a man of honor and wouldn’t ask her to divorce her husband,” Collier said.

Mason’s husband is Jon Mason, director of Serve Alabama, the governor’s office of faith-based volunteer service.

Collier said the affair was known in the governor’s office and legislature, and he apologized to Bentley’s

» See AFFAIR, 2

The Auburn Plainsman’s social media

INDEX

Campus...............3

Opinion...............5

Intrigue..............11

Community.......6

Sports..................8

ThePlainsman.com

TheAuburnPlainsman on Instagram

@TheAUPlainsman on Twitter

Visit our Facebook page

News 2

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, March 24, 2016

SGA

DUI REPORTS The following were arrested and charged with driving under the influence by the Auburn Police Division from March 8-21: March 8 - Colben Tyler Freeman, 23 Martin Luther King Drive at 2:50 a.m.

- Kimberly Dawn Stephens, 42 Highway 14 at Shug Jordan Parkway at 6:36 p.m.

March 9 - Alfonzo Bernard Harper, 31 East Glenn Avenue at South Ryan Street at 8:59 p.m.

March 10 - Fahad Mohammed Alzamel, 25 West Glenn Avenue at 2:53 a.m.

- Meghan Elizabeth Horton Bowen, 26 North Ross Street at 8:16 p.m.

March 11 - Walter Holden Viers, 20 Lem Morrison Drive at 1:52 a.m.

Sen.Warner seeks to promotes diversity Claire Tully CAMPUS WRITER

As SGA senators and executive officers get settled into their new positions, each student begins to set a precedent for the role they will play in senate and within their committees.

Kayla Warner, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Committee chair, said she wants to educate her fellow senators on diversity and for people to walk away from each meeting knowing something they didn’t before.

“I just want to let you all know that I’m taking this very seriously, and it’s something I’m really passionate about,” Warner said.

Warner said she wants to teach the senate about topics such as thinking styles, lan-

guage, gender, race and religion, as well as teaching senators to respect everyone and what they’re saying.

“Every week for up to two minutes, I’m going to show a little diversity,” Warner said. “Facts or something about gender, education or women’s rights … and everything that encompasses diversity.”

Brad Smith, SGA adviser, also took a moment to thank Kevin Coonrod, Auburn ombudsperson.

“Someone that is consistently in this room each week supporting SGA and the student body as a whole,” Smith said.

Coonrod said he works as a coach and a mediator to help students effectively problem solve.

“Most of what I do is coaching people,” Coonrod said. “I get people that come in,

they’ve got a problem, we sit there, we brainstorm and hopefully that person will then leave with a strategy in place to address that problem.”

Coonrod said he helps with problems relating to roommates, faculty, Greek Life and more.

“I’m invested in your success,” Coonrod said. “And so, when I’m here, I hope you realize I’m here to help you.”

Trey Fields, executive vice president of initiatives, then informed the senate that cabinet selections would be made soon.

“We’re in the process of interviewing folks for cabinet right now … I really encourage you to reach out to them and work on your stuff together this year,” Fields said. “Just make sure you’re communicating well.”

March 12 - Christopher Kraig Taylor, 25 Lee Road 53 at 5:36 a.m.

- Name withheld because of drug charge, 24 West Longleaf Drive at 9:12 p.m.

March 13 - Ricardo Mendez Velasquez, 22 Martin Avenue at 9:13 p.m.

March 15 - Robert William Taber, Jr., 21 West Samford Avenue at South Donahue Drive at 2:29 a.m.

March 16 - Devonte Jamario Harris, 20 Greentree Terrace at North Donahue Drive at 2:21 p.m.

March 18 - Joshua James Johnston, 34 East Magnolia Avenue at1:43 a.m.

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN

March 19 - Matthew Douglas Saxon, 20 Hollins Road at 7:09 p.m.

The Downtown Master Plan map as proposed in January 2016 was approved with two changes at the City Council meeting on March 22.

March 20 - Angel Rigoberto Morales Lopez, 27 Opelika Road at 3:27 a.m.

March 21 - Derek Tyler Smith, 19 East University Drive at 2:11 a.m.

A full crime report provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety is available online at ThePlainsman.com.

–Reports provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety

PLAN » From 1

Cotten, director of the Auburn Planning Department, referring to the 160 Ross development.

Cotten said the new regulations are now based on an 85 beds per acre size limit. The 160 Ross complex has 117 beds per acre, according to Cotten.

Several residents who spoke at the meeting were not happy nothing had been done to lower the height limit in the Urban Core from 75 feet.

“As far as I know, (the building height) had not even been reconsidered,” said Susie Thomas, Auburn resident. “I’d like to just remind you, whether you’re paid or a volunteer, and I know you’ve worked really hard for the citizens of Auburn, but you do work for us. And the vast majority of citizens want to preserve our town. We don’t want it to look like the Parker building.”

Councilman Tommy Dawson proposed an amendment that would restrict building height to 65 feet in the areas closest to campus on College Street and Magnolia Avenue.

“Y’all know how I am,” Dawson said.

“I’m just plain-spoken. When we had the

AFFAIR » From 1

(334) 329-7777 2059 S College St, Auburn

ex-wife, Diane Bentley, and their family. “(Diane) is the victim in this, and his sons are the victim in this,” Collier said.

Collier said he was also fired for disobeying an order from Bentley forbidding him from getting involved in the ongoing Mike Hubbard case, where the Alabama speaker and Auburn representative was charged with using his office for personal gain. Collier

discussion a couple months ago, we told the folks we were going to do 65 feet or we left that impression — whether we said it or not. … If I tell you something, then I’m going to do.”

Dawson’s amendment passed 6-2 with Councilwoman Lynda Tremaine abstaining from voting on anything related to the plan because she owns property in the affected districts.

Another contentious issue during the meeting was Mike and Ed’s Bar-B-Q being removed from the Auburn Historic District and placed into the Urban Core District.

Although the building is not historic, residents didn’t like the idea that one day a 75-foot building could occupy the lot under new rules.

“I ask you what possible reason for zoning one single property north of the railroad tracks to build a 75-foot building — what could possibly be the reason?” Thomas said. “Well there’s only one that I can think of, and we can’t talk about it today.”

Auburn Realty owner Ray Huff spoke to the council after Thomas and brought up the same issue.

Huff was interrupted by Councilman Roy Anders after Huff mentioned Thomas’ comment but said he wouldn’t go into it.

“Why won’t you go into it Ray, and I

signed an affidavit in that case stating ALEA had concluded an investigation into the attorney general’s office and found no wrongdoing, which he said angered Mason and Bentley.

“To say (Mason) was furious would be an understatement,” Collier said. “She had a level of anger I had rarely seen as a law enforcement officer.”

Bentley apologized to his family, Mason and her family and the people of Alabama in a press conference.

“Two years ago, I made a mistake,” Bentley said. “I have

want to know what (Thomas) meant too,” Anders said.

Huff replied and said he thinks residents are upset the zoning has been changed and there’s a chance a 75-foot building could be built next door to their homes.

Anders wasn’t satisfied with Huff’s response and asked him again about the reason.

“OK, I don’t think I want to go into that in public, Ron,” Huff said. “And I’m probably totally wrong.”

Huff said he thinks the properties were added to allow development in those areas.

Anders proposed an amendment removing the Mike and Ed’s Bar-B-Q property from the Urban Core District, which passed with Tremaine abstaining.

Stone Ray, freshman in architecture, has spoken out in favor of downtown development at several City Council meetings.

“When I’m looking at the map of Auburn, I see potential everywhere,” Ray said.

Ray said the development should be focused in the Urban Core.

“There’s nothing I could say that could possibly overstate the deliberation that has gone into this by the number of public input meetings, planning commission, the hours and hours and so forth,” Cotten said.

rectified that, I have dealt with that and I have moved on.”

Bentley said Mason was his closest aide, and they had an inappropriate relationship, but never a physical one. He also said Mason never asked him to stop making suggestive comments.

“I have never had a physical affair with Mrs. Mason,” Bentley said.

Bentley said he felt affection toward his staff.

“I love many members of my staff, in fact, all of the members of my staff. ... Some

more than others? Absolutely,” Bentley said.

Bentley also denied doing anything illegal.

Collier said he was willing to testify about the situation in court.

Collier said four other people in his office were fired because of the affidavit, however Stabler said their positions were eliminated in a cost-saving effort.

“These men and women did not deserve this, and the people of Alabama do not deserve this,” Collier said.

EVENTS

College of Agriculture will celebrate Ag Week March 28–April 1 Staff Report

Auburn University College of Agriculture will host its annual Ag Week on March 28–April 1, according to a press release. All events are free and open to Auburn students.

• On Monday, March 28, Auburn’s Block and Bridle and Young Farmers clubs will sponsor a petting zoo from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. on the Student Center Greenspace. Several farm animals will be present, including cows and sheep.

• On Tuesday, March 29, Auburn’s Ag Council will host a carnival at Ag Heritage Park from 5–7 p.m. This event will feature an inflatable slide, a bounce house, a mechanical bull, a baking contest and an eating contest.

“There will be a ton of booths for kids to play carnival-style games and free cotton candy,” Tyler Miller, Ag Student Council vice president, said. There will also be free cotton candy and other foods and beverages available

for sale.

• On Wednesday, March 30, Sigma Alpha will sponsor a picnic on the Comer Hall lawn from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Chicken and catfish plates will be available for purchase for $7 and will include fries, cole slaw, hush puppies, a brownie and a drink.

Also on Wednesday, Block and Bridle will sponsor a blood drive in memory of agricultural communications senior Michelle Bufkin’s father, David Bufkin. The LifeSouth blood-

mobile will be in front of Comer Hall from 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

• Thursday, March 31, will be Ag Awareness Day on Auburn’s campus. College of Agriculture clubs and organizations will be on the Haley Center Concourse from 10 a.m.– 12 p.m. giving out goods and educating students about agriculture.

Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m., Robert Bertram, chief scientist in the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Food Secu-

rity, will be speaking on The End of Hunger – From Vision to Reality as part of the E.T. York lecture series. The lecture will take place in The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center auditorium.

• Friday, April 1, will round out Ag Week with the Auburn Ag Ambassadors’ Get Ag-tive event at Ham Wilson Livestock Arena. Get Ag-tive is a field day for local elementary students, who play games and learn about various aspects of agriculture from Auburn stu-

dents.

“This is our 11th year hosting a week dedicated to all things agriculture at Auburn,” said Ag Student Council President Chandler Mulvaney.

“From the Ag Carnival to our first ever Ag Awareness Day, Ag Week offers a multitude of events and activities for everyone in the Auburn Family to be involved in and enjoy.”

For more information regarding Ag Week, contact the Auburn College of Agriculture’s Student Services Office at (334) 844-4768.

Campus

3

Thursday, March 24, 2016

ThePlainsman.com

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

‘Sushi Guy’ serves up fun

A ndria M oore CAMPUS REPORTER

Along with Aubie, almost any student you ask at Auburn University can answer to who the “sushi guy” is. The master of edible art has been on campus for nearly 10 years after opening Olo Sushi in 2007.

But beyond his well-known fried Tiger Tails and build-your-own sushi rolls, Chris Lin is a man with a dream.

“I worked in Los Angeles for a while hoping to start my own business,” Lin said. “I got into sushi because it’s like art. You can create whatever you feel like.”

Lin has traveled all over the world living in many regions, each for only a short period of time. Originally from Myanmar, Lin went to school in Singapore for graphic design.

“I had no clue what I wanted to do in school,” Lin said. “But I was spending all of my tuition and not going to make enough money with graphic design.”

He then moved to Australia for a year before coming to the U.S. and working as a waiter in Tampa, Florida.

There he learned how to make sushi.

“I didn’t know how to make sushi at all before that,” Lin said. “But then I moved around for about two years learning how to make different kinds.”

Lin has lived in seven different countries including Thailand and Malaysia. He said when he moved to California hoping to start his own business he quickly found that was a much easier feat in the South.

“I love Auburn,” Lin said. “When you live on the West Coast and you smile at people, they ask why you are smiling, but here people smile back.”

Olo Sushi has multiple locations: Foy, Village Dining, Terrell, Lowder and Outtakes, as well as the pop-up stand on Mondays and Wednesdays that sells fried Tiger Tail sushi.

Samuel Holt, marketing manager for Tiger Dining, said he believes Lin’s personality plays a large part in his success.

“He’s a good man,” Holt said. “He’s passionate and driven about what he does and really connects with the students.”

Lin is a busy man. The pop-up cart alone serves about 300 people a day.

He also prepares 500 boxes of readymade sushi each day to place in the different stores across campus.

“I want to grow,” Lin said. “I want to own my own franchise. Whatever tastes good, looks good, that’s what I plan on. Hopefully, I can expand by August.”

Lin is currently in the process of opening a Thai ice cream parlor on campus in Village Dining.

“I think right now it’s mostly just an equipment problem because Thai ice cream is difficult to make,” Holt said.

“So I’m not sure when that’s going to be working, but once it is, I’ll help him get the word out.”

Along with the campus stores, Lin operates Olo stores on Columbus State University’s campus, as well as one at Auburn University at Montgomery.

in 10 people lack access to safe water.

One-third of the global population lives without access to a toilet.

Globally, one-third of all schools lack access to safe water and adequate sanitation.

INFORMATION VIA WATER.ORG

ARMAND DE LAUREAL / PHOTOGRAPHER

Chris Lin makes a roll of sushi at Village Dining on Tuesday, March 22.

However, owning and operating a business still requires him to get his hands dirty occasionally. Lin can often be found washing dishes, making sushi or anything else they need.

“I started as a poor, little place in Birmingham and now I’ve grown,” Lin said. “I chose Auburn because Auburn is a fun place.”

University participates in Recyclemania CAMPUS REPORTER

The chance to promote recycling isn’t something the department of waste reduction and recycling is willing to throw away.

Auburn University is currently participating in the 2016 Recyclemania tournament featuring more than 600 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.

The competition is a chance for widespread promotion of recycling and waste reduction as well as education on how colleges and universities can improve their sustainability programs.

“Every time we have a competition like this it helps educate the population and promote interest in waste reduction,” said Victoreold Walker, building services operations manager.

Walker said events such as this are necessary for reminding the public of the importance of eliminating waste.

“We only have a few weeks of the competition left, but we are going to continue to promote recycling and waste reduction all year,” Walker said.

Recyclemania is judged based on several categories: the highest recycling rate, the least amount of trash per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables and the largest amount of recyclables per capita.

DAKOTA SUMPTER / PHOTO EDITOR

Recycling bins can be found in each campus building.

Joan Hicken, waste and recycling coordinator, said although a winner is announced, the competition is more fun than competitive.

“There are some schools that we know will be ahead of us in the game and some that will be behind us,” Hicken said. “That’s why we call this a friendly competition, because I can find a school that’s a little more advanced and ask them, ‘How did you do this?’”

Around campus, 150 hand-pickup

bins can be found near every trash can.

Inside each building lie blue recycling bins in the thousands.

Walker said he hopes the comparison in programs between schools will encourage more active participation in waste reduction at Auburn.

“The University of Alabama has a great program,” Walker said. “We can use that as incentive and say, ‘Hey, we want to be better than Alabama.’”

Walker said Auburn University has about a 15 percent waste rate, meaning 15 percent of everything coming off campus can be recycled.

“Have you ever seen a landfill?”

Walker said. “It’s not pretty. I just want for people to simply try and make the right choices, to think before they toss something.”

Hicken said winning isn’t the objective, but rather the knowledge and promotion of the recycling program.

“This tournament is a way for all the schools to rank or track their recycling for a period of time and then see how they compare to other schools,” Hicken said. “It’s a way for us to engage student bodies but also to engage ourselves as recycling coordinators.”

The Recyclemania tournament runs now through April 2.

The winners will be announced around April 18.

Auburn’s future of food sustainability Eric pereira CAMPUS WRITER

At least two groups on Auburn University’s campus are trying to do their part in minimizing food waste, resulting in thousands of pounds of food being saved.

“Programs like Tiger Dining and The Campus Kitchens Project saved 2,592 pounds of food last semester from repackaging 2,641 meals for the poor,” said former Campus Kitchens President Daniel Cason. “This semester, there have been 1,572 pounds saved and 1,260 meals repackaged so far.”

In the U.S., 30–40 percent of the food supply is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month, according to ​World Food Day. Auburn’s main food provider, Tiger Dining, has implemented programs such as Go TrayLess, The Perfect Circle and Clean Plate.

Tiger Dining has also part-

MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTOGRAPHER

An employee separates paper products and food waste for the Clean Plate Program at Village Dining.

nered with The Campus Kitchens Project, an on-campus organization that helps deliver food to the less fortunate.

Head chef of Tiger Dining Emil Topel said he is proud of watching the food sustainability efforts evolve every year on campus, but the state of Alabama still has some catching up to do when compared to the

OUTREACH

One

SUSTAINABILITY

Andria Moore

Campus

others.

However, since Topel and members of Campus Kitchen go to meetings and conventions, new ideas to save food are regularly being introduced.

“We are learning from other campuses across the country,” Topel said.

» See FOOD, 4

Water Week set for this month Claire Tully CAMPUS WRITER

James Smith, Auburn for Water president, is working with other Auburn for Water organization members to plan events to raise awareness about the scarcity of clean drinking water in the world as well as raise money for families in Cambodia. Water Week is set for March 28–April 1.

Smith said they are close to reaching their annual goal.

“Our goal for this year is to raise $15,000 to provide 100 families in Cambodia with clean drinking water,” Smith said. “After Water Week, we are sitting at $9,284.40.”

Smith said though they’ve hosted a couple of events, they still continue to work and campaign.

“This past fall, we hosted a 5k race, ‘Carry the Jerry,’” Smith said. “During Water Week, we decorated the concourse and hung out there Monday–Friday, educating our university about the water crisis, collecting donations and selling shirts and water bottles.”

Smith said some other things Auburn for Water plans on doing in the upcoming week are selling shirts, holding auctions and raising water crisis awareness.

“Last Thursday night, we held a benefit concert at 17-16 with Bailey and Madison Wolanek, Seth Baker and Adam Willis performing,” Smith said. “We will spend the next five weeks finishing our campaign with concourse activities and benefit nights each week.”

Too many people don’t know enough about the water crisis in the world, Smith said.

“As is with most problems in the world, overcoming ignorance is our biggest challenge,” Smith said. “Women and children spend hours each day collecting dirty drinking water, water they drink and become sick from, and our world lets this happen because most of us do not know about the problem.”

Smith said events such as Water Week, Carry the Jerry 5k and Auburn for Water Benefit Concourse help raise awareness.

“We try to inform every Auburn student about the scarcity of clean drinking water,” Smith said. “We do this through concourse billboards, campus events and an aggressive social media campaign.”

Smith said he thinks personal communication with students garners the best result when Auburn for Water campaigns.

“However, I believe the best way is to visit every campus organization we can, sharing our message with every member in the room,” Smith said.

Smith said he loves using their social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram to stay in touch with students and share information about upcoming events.

“My favorite part of Water Week is making our reveal video, which we have begun working on and will release after our entire yearlong campaign is over,” Smith said.

Campus 4

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, March 24, 2016

EVENTS

Lloyd Austin shares wisdom from 41-year career Rachel Sprouse CAMPUS WRITER

Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin shared his advice and experiences at the New Horizons Lecture on Monday, March 21 at Langdon Hall. Austin, commissioned as an infantry second lieutenant in 1975 after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, has a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Military Academy, a master’s degree in education from Auburn University and a master’s in business management from Webster University.

Reflecting on his 41 years of experience in the military, Austin shared five major pieces of advice to the crowd.

The first, according to Austin, is to “take care of your people” and lead them.

“If you earn their respect, they will move mountains for you,” Austin said. “That’s proven to be the most invaluable advice of my career.”

The next point Austin shared is to always endeavor to be competent and demonstrate confidence.

“Troops, or the folks that work for you, they will listen to every word that you say, but they will watch what you do even more closely,” Austin said. “Be willing to do the necessary reps and sets and strive to be the very best in

FOOD » From 3

One of the recently introduced ideas is a program called Clean Plate, which was put into action at Village Dining in 2010.

“We weigh the food leftover from consumers,” Topel said. “Because then we can examine how it has affecting the food cost. The average weight used to be over 1/2 per person. Now it’s cut down to 2 ounces.”

He believed part of that food saved is from serving food on plates.

“People tend to add more to trays,” Topel said.

Along with changing how the food is served, Tiger Dining has also implemented eco-friendly uses for the cooking oil. Perfect Circle Renewable Energy has partnered with all of the on-campus food venues.

“They come in every couple of weeks, and we sell them hundreds of gallons,”

the world at what you do, no matter what that is.”

Austin also advises enabling others in their goals to gain success.

“In the military we conduct operations, and we fight as a team,” Austin said. “The fact is that most professions place a premium on teamwork, so my advice to you is to seek to contribute your unique talents and your energies toward supporting and enabling the team’s objectives.”

Not being consumed with climbing the ladder is another point Austin shared.

“It’s good to have goals,” Austin said. “You must have goals. If you focus on taking care of your people and doing the job that you’ve been given while doing it better than anyone else has ever done it ... I promise you that you will be successful, enormously successful, but you need to be patient.”

Austin’s final point was to never compromise your values, which he said are the cornerstone of the Auburn Creed.

“The character of every individual is a reflection of his or her values,” Austin said.

“They are the bedrock upon which this great institution is built.”

Fahad Digankar, freshman in business, said he thought Austin’s five major points were in-

Topel said.

Hallie Nelson, the new Campus Kitchens president, said another recent addition to the sustainability effort is “gleaning.”

“Local farmers give the university fruits and vegetables that are ‘ugly’ or just not the right size,” Nelson said.

“And then we take those and either give it to the food bank or community market.”

Nelson said she wants to focus on rural areas.

“Campus Kitchens currently just gives away food to the Auburn community,” Nelson said.

Nelson said Auburn should continue to partner with Tuskegee in order to increase distribution.

“Earlier this semester we did a mobile food pantry, where we got a grant and bought food and produce and went out to Tuskegee,” Nelson said. “The people did a call chain in order to find out specifically who needed food where.”

FACULTY

spiring and insightful.

“As a cadet in the program and as a student and a guy growing up, it’s very insightful to have advice such as be confident [and] don’t hesitate,” Digankar said. “It’s a good foundation for myself for learning how to grow right now, and in the future I hope that I can reach that strategic level and help enforce the precepts he’s laid down today.”

Digankar said he thinks Austin’s advice can apply to students who are not involved with the military as well.

“I feel like anything he said can apply to a general student,” Digankar said. “The five major points aren’t just about leading people, but they’re about also leading yourself to become better.”

Austin said to take advantage of the great opportunities at Auburn University and to treasure the experience.

“You are building a tremendous foundation here at Auburn — a foundation that is based upon strong values, intellectual rigor and a wonderful, wonderful network of friends, mentors and fellow alumni,” Austin said. “If you do all those things, I believe that you can feel confident that the right opportunities will present themselves at the appropriate times, and you will be incredibly successful.”

JORDAN HAYS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Army Gen. Lloyd Austin speaks during the New Horizons Lecture at Langdon Hall on Monday, March 21.

MEDICINE

University veterinarians perform surgery on Kentucky Derby winner Staff Report

Two members of College of Veterinary Medicine faculty were part of a medical team that performed surgery last month on Kentucky Derby winning horse War Emblem, according to a University release.

Hui-Chu Lin, professor of large animal anesthesia, and Glen Sellers, clinical faculty member, were the anesthesia veterinarians participating in the surgery to geld the championship horse.

The 2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner came to Old Friends, a thoroughbred retirement home in Georgetown, Kentucky, in 2015, when he was returned to the U.S. by Japanese owners who purchased the horse in 2003 to stud, the release states.

He proved to be a reluctant breeder and was retired and returned to the U.S. to reside at Old Friends.

“When a stallion is imported to the United States, the USDA requires that they test breed two mares to be declared clear of CEM,” said Bryan Waldridge, an Old Friends veterinarian. “We tried everything and exhausted every option, but War Emblem refused to breed his mares, and so we were left with no choice but to geld him.”

CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY

War Emblem, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2002, enjoys retirement at Old Friends, a retirement home for thoroughbreds in Georgetown, Kentucky.

The surgery was performed by Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine alumnus Brad Tanner and Colt Daughtery, who owns Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, while Lin and Sellers administered anesthesia, the release states. Waldridge oversaw the operation.

“Glen and I were honored to be trusted and be part of this surgical procedure,” Lin said.

“It is not often that I am called upon to anes-

thetize a high-profile horse like War Emblem, him being a race horse and 17-year-old made anesthesia more challenging. But everything went according to the plan throughout the procedure. I am glad he is now happy and enjoys being just a horse.”

War Emblem is fully recovered and settled into his retirement at Old Friends, according to the release.

SUSTAINABILITY

No Impact Week promotes sustainability CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Virginia Davis is the 2015 recipient for the Auburn University Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach

Faculty outreach award winner impacts students Rachel Sprouse CAMPUS WRITER

Virginia Davis, professor in the department of chemical engineering, is the 2015 recipient for the Auburn University Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach. Davis said it was “quite an honor” to receive the award.

“This award is particularly meaningful because it indicates that I’m having an impact on people in the community and people outside of Auburn,” Davis said. “[It indicates] that I’m really having an influence.”

Davis has received other awards such as the 2014 Auburn University Alumni Professorship and the 2013 South’s BEST Jim Westmoreland Memorial Judges Award, but she said this award shows her peers and the University recognize and appreciate her efforts.

“The most rewarding thing about being a professor [is] those moments where you realize you really helped a student or someone get where they’re intended to go in life,” Davis said. “[You real-

ize you] really made an impact on their day and all of their future directions.”

With her research in nanotechnology, Davis said she is focused on taking nanomaterials and assembling them into larger structures to be useful in the areas of highstrength materials, antibacterial materials or things related to energy application.

“Nanotechnology and nanomaterials have actually always been there, [but] we just didn’t know it,” Davis said. “Even your DNA is a nanomaterial, and medieval artisans made those beautiful stained glass windows using nanotechnology.”

Davis said if she could have students and the University community know anything about her, it is her love of science.

“I see science and engineering as a way to impact people and people’s lives,” Davis said. “I think that the university environment provides such an excellent way to do that both directly through research and through teaching and mentoring.”

Claire Tully CAMPUS WRITER

No Impact Week will be at Auburn during the week of March 27 and will discuss topics such as trash, transportation, consumption, food, water, energy, giving back and Eco Sabbath.

Giovanna Summerfield, College of Liberal Arts professor and associate dean for educational affairs, said No Impact Week will feature different events each day.

“No Impact Week is an international initiative designed to promote sustainability by challenging people to live lifestyles

that are better for them and for the environment,” Summerfield said.

Summerfield said the week will be designed to inform a younger generation, making Auburn students the perfect audience.

“Generation Waking Up is a global campaign to ignite a generation of young people to bring forth a thriving, just, sustainable world,” Summerfield said.

The Generation Waking Up workshop will be held March 29, according to Summerfield.

“For us, this … special event is an opportunity to explore the role of social justice in creat-

Spring into

[

[

Pe t Fr i e n d ly On-site Management T i g e r Tra n s i t Water & Garbage Included 4 B l o c k s f ro m C a m p u s We Rent Apartments, N o t B e d ro o m s

w w w . l e m a n s s q u a re . c o m

ing a thriving, and sustainable world for all and to incentivize individuals to make a difference,” Summerfield said. “Led by trainers from the national social change organization Generation Waking Up, this workshop will provide an informative and interactive exploration into the nature of social justice today, the connections between issue areas and the role we each can play.”

Summerfield said this will be an interactive learning workshop, so students will be able to engage.

“There will be a short video and discussions led by the

FAB FINDS at

Angel’s will be closed Easter Sunday

trainers, but the rest of the time will be spent interacting within groups, sharing personal experiences and opinions, examining pressing challenges,” Summerfield said.

Summerfield said she is excited for this particular event during this week, especially because there is an opportunity to win a $50 Earth Fare gift certificate by submitting a drawing.

“I would not miss this event because it will generate opportunities for reflection and action,” Summerfield said. “It will be a good venue to meet and network, to discuss issues of great importance.”

ANGEL’S Happy Easter!

Open Everyday 10-7 • Sundays 1-5 www.angelsantiqueandfleamall.com

900 COLUMBUS PKWY. • OPELIKA, AL 36801

334-745-3221

Opinion

5

Thursday, March 24, 2016

ThePlainsman.com

Opinion

OUR VIEW

Protect ban on concealed carry

SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE PLAINS

Response to “Auburn professor’s book to be produced by Universal” Steven Vickers “Very proud of one of my favorite Auburn professors. If you have the opportunity, take his classes, especially the History of Space Travel. Great teacher and a great man.

This book was great, and I hope Hollywood does it justice.”

GURDEN SMITH / GRAPHICS EDITOR

Spring Editorial Board 2016

On March 22, Auburn’s University senate voted to condemn HB12. Proposed by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, HB12 would allow people with concealed carry pistol permits to carry on state college and university campuses.

In the wake of the high volume of mass shootings across the U.S., several states have already taken measures to uproot concealed weapon bans on college campuses.

Those states, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, may have good intentions, but we believe they are ill-founded.

We do not support Butler’s attempt to allow guns on campus.

One of the go-to arguments often offered by the anti-gun-control crowd is that the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is to have a good guy with a gun, and therefore, they argue, guns should be generally easier to get.

This argument ignores the fact that, while good people with guns could certainly mitigate or stop shooting tragedies, having more guns in general leads to far more shootings, both accidental and purposeful.

According to The American Journal of Medicine, there is a positive correlation be-

tween the number of firearms in a country and the number of gun-related deaths. So, on balance, this argument isn’t compelling because it defeats its own purpose.

With concealed carry being allowed, identifying the “bad guy” isn’t as simple as seeing one shooter. If many people have guns pulled out after a shooting takes place, would-be good people with their guns run the risk of being gunned down themselves by police or other good-willed, gun-wielding folks, causing the situation to escalate further.

Another argument put forth is that the greater amount of guns on campus would serve as a deterrent toward would-be shooters.

This potential deterrent does not seem to be a significant factor in the decision calculus of a would-be mass shooter. According to Peter Langman, an expert on the psychology of school shooters, many of the shooters who embark on these tragic missions intend to die.

Neither the armed guard at Columbine nor the armed campus police at Virginia Tech prevented those shootings from taking place.

The presence of guns on campus does not necessarily deter mass shooters and, con-

versely, the absence of guns does not necessarily attract shooters. It’s the abundance of potential victims in a relatively concentrated area that attracts shooters, and colleges typically happen to provide just that.

Our position isn’t derived merely from cynicism; it’s founded on statistical data.

According to a 2013 study conducted by a Boston University School of Public Health researcher, a 1 percent increase in gun ownership correlated with a 0.9 percent rise in the firearm homicide rate at the state level.

It’s important to note that we don’t claim that gun proliferation is the sole cause of higher rates of homicide. It is, however, a significant factor. More guns almost inevitably lead to more homicides, suicides and accidental shootings, according to a meta-analysis conducted by the Harvard Injury Control Research Center.

These patterns are consistent throughout states in America and in foreign nations even after controlling other potentially contributing factors such as poverty and general crime.

If Auburn were to allow concealed weapons to be carried on campus, we fear the tragedies we so often hear of on the news could become closer to a reality here on our lovely campus.

Faye Jones “Congrats, Professor Hansen!! I’m sure You have done AU proud with the Bio, just have to leave the pic up to Universa; amd pray for their best!!! WDE”

Response to “One of Auburn’s oldest fans celebrates 103rd birthday” Jennifer Patrick “I love this!!!Happy birthday and War Eagle.”

Jordan Jager “I wanted to like this post but I didn’t want to be the guy who ruins there being ‘103 likes’”

Response to “Duke Williams returns to Auburn for Pro Day” Suzanne E. Chapman “Been there. Done that.”

Shannon Arthur in response to Suzanne E. Chapman “No need to be mean. Everyone makes mistakes. Auburn is about family. Sometimes family member make mistakes, don’t appreciated their blessings, or behave badly but that doesn’t make them any less family. He is remorseful. Move on.”

HER VIEW

Law or not? For me, it’s life or not Emily Esleck MANAGING EDITOR

Gun-control laws have been a hot topic this year since Texas came out with a new law allowing students 21 years or older to carry a firearm fully concealed if they have the appropriate permit to do so.

I didn’t grow up in a gun-heavy household. In fact, I just found out this year my parents even owned guns. If more people were educated and trained to use guns to defend themselves in life or death situations, I feel people wouldn’t be so consumed with hysteria the moment they saw a gun.

There’s this fear when it comes to guns.

Instead of being scared of a gun, I want to know how to use one. If I am in a deadly situation, I want to protect myself, and if that means shooting someone who is going to endanger my life, then so be it.

Having firearms on campus can initially make some people cringe with fear, and if

you think about the what-ifs of any situation, they can potentially be scary.

Yes, there might be someone who doesn’t act responsibly with their weapon.

There might be some confusion in a mass shooting situation if everyone has a gun.

Social situations could be more intense if people knew someone was carrying a gun.

But you can’t change anyone’s actions but your own. Criminals are going to commit crimes, and bad people are going to do bad things. You can’t legislate horrible things out of society or humanity. Instead of sitting back and watching terrible things happen, I think people should be more proactive.

At least proactive enough to know how to defend your life if you were in a bad situation. If unstable people are allowed to obtain a concealed carry permit, providing they have a clean record, then I can too. If that person decides to come to a gun-free zone with their firearm and pull it out to shoot me, then I want to be able to defend my life.

Laws do not restrict some people’s decisions. People will break the law if they want to, and I want to be prepared if that happens.

School shootings happen, and it is abso-

lutely terrible that someone would want to take the life of vulnerable, innocent students, even small children.

I think the fact campuses are gun-free plays some role in how shooters are choosing their locations. If they know people are allowed to have guns to protect themselves, they may not be as gung-ho to shoot up a formerly vulnerable, defenseless area. Gun control is not an easy topic, and I think many conditions factor into everyone’s personal beliefs.

There are some cut-and-dry solutions, but I don’t think everyone will agree on such a controversial topic. And that’s OK. One solution I think would help is to make a psychological evaluation part of obtaining a concealed carry permit.

If you are carrying around a deadly weapon, you need to be stable.

This definitely won’t eliminate all problems surrounding this issue, but it may help, as well as being educated and trained to use a weapon.

Emily Esleck can be reached at managing.editor@ThePlainsman.com

Emily Esleck MANAGING EDITOR Kris Martins COPY Weston SimS OPINION

Corey Williams CAMPUS Maria McIlwain COMMUNITY Sam Butler SPORTS

Dakota Sumpter PHOTO

Anne Dawson INTRIGUE

Policy

The Auburn Plainsman welcomes letters from students, as well as faculty, administrators, alumni and those not affiliated with the University.

The opinions of The Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to these pages.

Letters must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on 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. Please submit no more than 400 words.

This editorial is the majority opinion of the Editorial Board and is the official opinion of the newspaper.

The opinions expressed in columns and letters represent the views and opinions of their individual authors.

These opinions do not necessarily reflect the Auburn University student body, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.

@BJRouillier “impressive. It’s Amazing how many great leaders have graduated from @AuburnU.”

Response to “Symphonic Band tours Italy” @GerimDavis2 “WAR EAGLE! These are the best years of your lives, kids! Act like a sponge!!!!”

Editor-in-Chief - Jim Little

Managing Editor - Emily Esleck

NEWSROOM

ADVERTISING

CAMPUS

OPINION

Editor - Corey Williams Reporter - Andria Moore Writer - Claire Tully Writer - Ameera Steward Writer - Rachel Sprouse Writer - Jake LeGrone

Editor - Weston Sims

COMMUNITY

Submissions

Response to “Army Gen. Lloyd Austin speaks to students, shares wisdom from his 41 year career”

255 Heisman Drive, Suite 1111, AU Student Center Auburn, AL 36849 Newsroom - (334) 844-9108 Advertising - (334) 844-9101

Kristen Keeter SOCIAL MEDIA Kris Sims MULTIMEDIA

@islandwingco “War Eagle!”

The Auburn Plainsman

The Editorial Board Jim Little EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Response to “A newly planted Toomer’s oak tree along the sidewalk in Samford park”

Editor - Maria McIlwain Reporter - Chip Brownlee Writer - Liz Maddux Writer - Lily Jackson

SPORTS Editor - Sam Butler Asst. Editor - Evan McCullers Reporter - Emily Shoffit Reporter - C.J. Holmes Writer - Nathan Deal Writer - Bailey Rogers Writer - Andrew Monson Writer - Jonathan Hefner

INTRIGUE Editor - Anne Dawson Writer - Marissa Luckie Writer - Amanda Myles Writer - Ben Ruffin Writer- Rachel Williams Writer - Grayson Temple

COPY DESK

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING ADVISER

PHOTO AND GRAPHICS

Elizabeth Snider advertising@auburn.edu

Editor - Kris Martins Photo Editor - Dakota Sumpter Staff Photographer - Adam Sparks Staff Photographer - Ellen Jackson Staff Photographer - Jordan Hays Photographer - Megan Endt Photographer - Armand de Laureal Photographer - Matthew Bishop Photographer - Madison Ogletree Graphics Editor - Gurden Smith Graphics Designer - Sterling Waits

SOCIAL MEDIA Editor - Kristen Keeter

MULTIMEDIA Editor - Kris Sims Reporter - Parker Aultman Reporter - John Lee

EDITORIAL ADVISER Alec Harvey adviser@ThePlainsman.com

ADVERTISING MANAGER Caitlin Griffith admanager@ThePlainsman.com

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Lacey Gossett Lauren Bagby

DESIGNERS

Grant Peterson Montana Cole

DISTRIBUTION Dakota Sumpter Jordan Hays Zack Clark

Community Thursday, March 24, 2016

6 ThePlainsman.com

Community

OUTREACH

Good Grief: Camp provides relief from loss for kids Lily Jackson

COMMUNITY WRITER

Death is an unpleasant subject to discuss. Losing a loved one is difficult for strong adults, and when considering the effects of loss on a vulnerable growing child, the results can be detrimental.

Camp Good Grief, a free day camp for children ages 5–18 who have lost a friend or family member, is a safe and welcoming place for children to have those tough discussions. The camp check-in begins at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, at the Opelika SportsPlex.

Jenny Filush, camp director, has worked to make the camp helpful to children of all backgrounds and interests. The camp’s first year was 2005, and the numbers of children and volunteers have increased every year since then. Typically, 120 volunteers go through training sessions and work with close to 200 students divided into small groups split by age and gender on the day of camp.

“We wanted to provide a therapeutic, safe place for kids to come, where they can have their feelings validated, learn how to express some of these feelings and do it in a safe way,” Filush said.

According to Filush, all manners of death are represented. Parents send their children for constructive discussion and help from someone outside of their normal circle. Parents and caregivers are given the opportunity to sit with counselors and discuss how to handle and accommodate their child’s grief.

Each year, a theme is chosen by staff that is the base for the camp activities. This year’s theme is “Into the Wild” and campers will be writing a nature journal, setting up tents, watching a clip from “Cast Away” and bonding through other group activities.

Filush said there are three games that stand out

every year.

On arrival, the groups split up to play “The Starburst Game.” Each child choses a color and when asked a question about their grief journey they are given a Starburst candy for answering.

Seeing others share gives shyer children the confidence to talk about the loss that they are dealing with. They receive a candy for being brave and divulging personal feelings, but also the opportunity to let go of built grief.

William Frye, graduate student in psychology, said The Starburst Game is his favorite game played the day of camp. Frye has been volunteering for five years and counsels the teenage boys.

He said they come in trying to be tough, clinging to their hard shells, but leave open to discussing the difficulties of losing someone they love.

“The boys go from, ‘I’m too cool for this,’ to ‘I can maybe get into this,’ and finally they chose to open up, and they have a great time doing it,” Frye said.

Not every child that comes to camp will be apt to speak in front of a group, so for those who are competitive and athletic, an obstacle course is set up by the Auburn Police Division. Campers scale walls, run relays and jump through tires to race other teams. While cooling down, camp volunteers ask participants about the obstacles they faced after the death of their loved ones.

For those who are creative, a puzzle is given to each group without a picture of the end result.

The children work to compose a finished puzzle only to find that pieces are missing. Counselors step in and explain that no matter how hard we work to put our lives back together after we lose someone we love, we will always be something missing.

“That’s the hardest part about our grief journey: No matter how many pieces we try to put back together, we can’t ever put them all back,”

CONTRIBUTED BY JENNY FILUSH

Aubie hugs campers at Camp Good Grief.

Filush said. “There is always going to be missing pieces. If you lose someone, there will be a hole.”

Filush said she came to the conclusion that a camp with this mission was needed in Lee County after conducting a small group with seven fifth-graders who had all lost parents in the span of a summer.

“Watching how they strengthened each other just by sharing their thoughts and feelings made me realize how much we need a program like Camp Good Grief,” Filush said. “I got the green light to start researching, and it has grown since then.”

Those students were some of the first to attend Camp Good Grief in 2005. Children come back yearly to benefit from the symbolic messages and

to be able to talk about the progression of their grief journey.

“It’s community,” Frye said. “It’s kids helping kids even more than the volunteers.”

The camp effects all of those involved, whether parent, caregiver, camper or volunteer. Filush said that the event is free and children leave with a lifetime of memories and a healing that is well worth it.

“It’s not just a family fun day where you drop off your kids for free food,” Filush said. “It’s a day to spend in memory of their love ones, to make something to take home and to talk about life. It’s a time for parents and children to work and learn about themselves and their grief journey.”

STATE

State plans four new prisons as debt nears $70 billion Chip Brownlee

COMMUNITY REPORTER

Total outstanding debt for the state of Alabama exceeds $68 billion, according to a report by the nonpartisan think tank State Budget Solutions. Alabama’s debt of nearly $70 billion accounts for only a small portion of more than $5 trillion in total debt owed by states across the nation.

Gov. Robert Bentley plans to rehabilitate Alabama’s struggling prison system with the construction of four new corrections institutions. The new prisons will cost the state more than $800 million.

The $800 million cost would be covered by the issuance of bonds, which must be paid back over a 30year period. The bonds would add to Alabama’s existing outstanding debt.

Outstanding debt amounts to $1.8 billion, according to State Budget Solutions’ most recent report.

On March 15, Bentley announced the Alabama Prison Transformation Initiative Act, which will provide legislative approval for the Department of Corrections to begin the project.

Three of the four new prisons would replace 13 of Alabama’s existing 15 men’s prisons. The fourth new prison would serve as a women’s prison.

According to James Barth, Lowder Eminent Scholar in Finance at the University, state debt is not necessarily bad if issued to fund infrastructure spending and investment.

“It makes sense if you’re going to redo the prison system to provide for

better prisons,” Barth said. “Any infrastructure project is a big project, so you don’t want to use current revenue to fund a big infrastructure-type project. What you want to do is issue debt, and then you pay off debt over time.”

Barth is also a senior fellow at the Milken Institute and a fellow at the Wharton Financial Institution Center.

Barth was an appointee of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush as chief economist of the Office of Thrift Supervision.

“The problem you have, of course, is when the debt goes up you have to make interest and principal payments,” Barth said. “Right now, if you issue debt, the interest rates are relatively low because we’re in a low interest rate environment. If interest rates go up, you want to be concerned about issuing too much debt.”

According to Barth, states should ensure they can cover the costs of interest and principal payments. The costs of those payments are covered by current state revenue.

“That comes out of revenue, and what you don’t want to do is get in a situation in which next year or the year after there’s insufficient revenue to cover expenses, including principal and interest payments on debt,” Barth said. “Then you issue more debt, then eventually debt goes up, and then one is really in trouble.”

The state of Alabama has struggled to balance the budget for the past several years. Last year, legislators faced a budget shortfall of more than $200

million, which required two additional special sessions to mend.

This year, as the Legislature debates the budget for the 2017 fiscal year, the state faces a shortfall of more than $40 million.

“One would have to raise taxes or cut spending,” Barth said. “From politics today, that’s where there is big disagreement. At some point, if the debt goes up too much then the payments become too much of a burden on the

state unless it can grow.”

According to Barth, expanding the state’s economy is the best method to reduce debt.

The lower the state debt as a percentage of the state’s gross state product, or the total value of its economy, the better.

“The best way to eliminate the burden is for the state to grow, prosper and generate more revenue,” Barth said.

“It’s better to generate more revenue

than it is to cut expenditures because that’s very difficult to do.”

Alabama’s debt amounts to 37 percent of its gross state produce, according to the report.

“If the debt gets too high, relative to our GDP, the interest and principal payments become too much of a burden,” Barth said. “If the debt goes up too high relative to the GDP, then the country, or the city, or the state is in trouble.”

POLITICS

Hubbard ethics trial delayed again, date now set for April

Maria McIlwain COMMUNITY EDITOR

Mike Hubbard’s trial has been pushed back again.

Judge Jacob A. Walker III delayed the trial for two weeks, according to multiple reports.

The new start date is scheduled for April 11.

The Alabama speaker was indicted in 2014 for 23 counts of felony ethics violations, including four counts of using his office as speaker for personal gain. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison for each count.

The trial was initially scheduled to begin March 28, but there will now be a pretrial hearing set for that date.

Walker initially denied the defense’s request in January for the trial to be pushed back.

However, he said he was “inclined” to delay the trial at a March 3 hearing.

The initial motion for continuance was filed Feb. 16, with another request for a stay filed March 3.

The defense asks for a stay while a writ of mandamus, or appeal of previous rulings, is pending, according to court documents. The defense asked for the stay because of “fundamental constitutional issues.”

The defense has argued that the case should be thrown out because of prosecutorial misconduct by lead prosecutor

Matt Hart. They initially filed the motion March 30, 2015.

Hubbard’s defense team has also accused Hart of violating the Grand Jury Secrecy Act by sharing grand jury proceedings.

Several witnesses have testified about conversations with Hart about Hubbard. Baron Coleman, a political operative who worked on campaigns against Hubbard, filed an affidavit Feb. 2, where he said he had an “ongoing conversation” for two to three years with Hart about Hubbard.

However, the prosecution argued Hart had a confidential informant relationship with Coleman, so their conversations are privileged.

“Now that Coleman has testified, his credibility has been destroyed,” the prosecution stated in a filing from March 11. “Notwithstanding these facts, this court need not even reach these issues to deny Hubbard’s renewed motion because Hubbard offered no evidence showing that Coleman’s allegations, even if they were believable, had any impact on the rand jury’s decision to indict.”

Hubbard also has a new defense attorney. Bill Baxley and his firm, Baxley, Dillard, McKnight, James and McElroy, entered the case Feb. 16.

Hubbard’s initial lead attorneys, Mark White and Augusta Dowd, left the team Dec. 31.

DAKOTA SUMPTER / PHOTO EDITOR

Mike Hubbard walks into the courthouse with his wife.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Community 7

The Auburn Plainsman

STATE

Auburn’s unemployment rate increases in January Chip Brownlee

COMMUNITY REPORTER

Auburn saw its unemployment rate increase during the month of January, marking another month of unemployment rate increases.

According to new unemployment statistics released by the Alabama Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for the Auburn-Opelika metropolitan area increased to 5.3 percent — up 0.3 percentage points from December’s rate of 5 percent.

Most other major metropolitan areas in Alabama also saw their unemployment rates increase last month. However, Auburn-Opelika once again maintained the lowest unemployment rate for any of Alabama’s 12 major metropolitan statistical areas.

Since October 2015, Auburn-Opelika has seen its unemployment rate increase by 0.6 percentage points, from 4.7 percent in October to 5.3 percent in January.

According to the report, the January unemployment rate for the state of Alabama decreased by .1 percentage points to 6.2 percent after the department revised the December unemployment rate from 6.2 percent up to 6.3 percent.

The total number of unemployed work-

ers actively looking for employment in the state increased from 134,403 to 134,408.

However, the total number of employed workers also increased to 2,019,653 from December’s report of 2,011,475.

“January’s rate contains some interesting and positive data,” said Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington. “There is almost no change in the rate, mainly due to the fact that there were more people in the labor force and more people were employed. These are both good signs, because it means that people are continuing to display confidence in the economy and that they are able to find work. In fact, the number of people counted as employed in January is higher than it has been since October 2008.”

Civilian labor force participation, one of the most closely watched statistics, increased from 2,145,878 active workers to 2,154,061.

“The Civilian Labor Force [CLF] increased in January by 8,183 to 2,154,061,” reported the press release from the governor’s office. “The number of persons employed increased in January by 8,178 to 2,019,653. The last time this number was at or above this number was in October 2008, when it was 2,021,511.”

“

Since October 2015, Auburn-Opelika has seen its unemployment rate increase by 0.6 percentage points, from 4.7 percent in October to 5.3 percent in January.”

—Statistics released by the Alabama Department of Labor

February unemployment statistics for the United States were released March 4 at 8 a.m.

According to the report, the unemployment rate in the United States remained steady at 4.9 percent after dropping from 5 percent in November and December to 4.9 percent in January.

Average hourly earnings for private sector employees dropped slightly in February from $25.39 to $25.35. Hourly earnings have also increased 2.2 percent over the last year.

BUSINESS

Downtown Opelika continues recent economic growth L iz M addux

COMMUNITY WRITER

The quaint city of Opelika has been a part of Alabama history since the late 1800s. Throughout time, people have watched as what started as a swamp land became a booming city full of new development.

The majority of the growth seen in Opelika is occurring specifically downtown.

John Emerald Distilling Company recently opened its doors to the Opelika

community and specializes in serving locally made spirits.

“We named this company after our forefathers who ventured to America from Scotland,” said Jimmy Sharp, owner of John Emerald Distilling Company.

Sharp said his ancestors have lived lives of integrity, honoring God, their fellow man and their family.

“It is important to keep downtown Opelika on the rise,” Sharp said. “We have so much to offer downtown,

and so far the community has been really accepting of the new businesses opening up downtown.”

Tours of John Emerald Distilling Company are available to the public Thursday–Saturday.

Red Clay Brewing Company is also new to the downtown Opelika scene.

The brewery has its roots “firmly entrenched in the South” since the founders of the company were all raised in Opelika. The red clay that is well-known to the Ope-

lika area of the South became a natural name for the business.

The brewery serves its house made, Opelika-infused beers to the city and has been well-received since opening.

“The Opelika community is great,” said John Corbin, founder of Red Clay Brewing Company. “We are really trying to keep downtown Opelika growing. We have had a couple of new businesses open up in the downtown area, and so far we

have heard and seen nothing but good things. We just need to keep up the trend.”

O Town Ice Cream has been the newest addition to downtown Opelika. The ice cream parlor provides the community with a full scope of Opelika history.

A brightly painted wall mural tells the stories of Opelika, while the ice cream flavors highlight various historical landmarks sprinkled throughout the city, such as Bubba’s Medicine Shop, Opelika’s oldest

family-owned pharmacy.

Angela George, owner of O Town Ice Cream, said Opelika people are proud of their city.

“Opelika is just a very close community,” George said. “Opening up this shop has been great. The community has supported us since the doors opened, and we have stayed busy. It has been such a fun experience so far, and getting to see downtown Opelika grow the way it has is also such a blessing.”

NEW DIET? NO BREAD?

NO PROBLEM. Our Chopped Salads blend your favorite ingredients like tasty chicken, turkey and roast beef, with crisp garden veggies like crisp spinach and crunchy cucumbers.

TRY ONE TODAY!

PARTICIPATION MAY VARY. ©2015 Doctor’s Associates Inc. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor’s Associates Inc.

Sports Thursday, March 24, 2016

SCOREBOARD MEN’S BASKETBALL (11-20, 5-13)

8 ThePlainsman.com

Sports

SOFTBALL

Fagan undeterred by knee injury

AUBURN ATHLETICS

LAST WEEK SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tennessee vs. Tennessee (L, 97-59)

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (20-13, 8-8)

AUBURN ATHLETICS

LAST WEEK NCAA Tournament in Waco, Texas First round vs. (8) St. John’s (W, 68-57) Second round vs. (1) Baylor (L, 84-52)

BASEBALL (10-10, 1-2)

KEN LANGLEY / GT ATHLETICS

LAST WEEK at Georgia Tech (W, 14-3) vs. Texas A&M (W, 9-7; L, 12-8; L, 12-10) THIS WEEK March 22 vs. Alabama State (6 p.m.)

March 25-27 at Arkansas (6:35 p.m.; 6:05 p.m.; 1:05 p.m.)

SOFTBALL (26-4, 3-3)

DAKOTA SUMPTER / PHOTO EDITOR

“

Haley Fagan (center) celebrates with teammates after Auburn’s win in the 2015 NCAA Regional.

Nathan Deal SPORTS WRITER

It was an ordinary fall practice for Auburn softball.

The Tigers, coming off the best season in school history, knew they had the talent and experience to repeat their success and perhaps even surpass it.

Auburn was returning many of its key players, including infielder Haley Fagan.

Fagan was a key contributor to the 2015 team that made it to the school’s first Women's College World Series, as she started every game of the Tigers’ 56-11 campaign.

She had a .347 average with 58 runs, 69 hits, 56 RBIs and 13 home runs.

The redshirt junior from Florida was as excited as anyone about the prospects for 2016.

She had the opportunity to be one of the leaders of a national championship contender.

During that fateful practice, however, her excitement was dashed.

“We were running a play in practice, and when I turned a certain way to make a throw home, my cleat didn’t give and my knee just popped out,” Fagan said. “Coach (Clint Myers) ran up to me and asked if it was my ankle, and I yelled that it was my knee. I was so upset. ... I was really angry just because I knew exactly how it felt, since I did it to my right knee a few years earlier.”

Fagan’s worst fear was confirmed when she received the diagnosis: a torn ACL that would side-

I was really down and kept asking, ‘Why me?’ and I think a lot of athletes do that when they get injured. I had to find a way out of that mindset and focus all of my energy into my rehab instead of the negative thoughts.”

—Haley Fagan

AUBURN SHORTSTOP

line her for an uncertain amount of time. She would have to have her second ACL surgery in several years.

“I was really down and kept asking, ‘Why me?’ and I think a lot of athletes do that when they get injured,” Fagan said. “I had to find a way out of that mindset and focus all my energy into my rehab instead of the negative thoughts.”

Fagan was able to overcome those dark thoughts and push herself through recovery, although it was never easy, especially earlier in the process.

While she’s optimistic about her situation now, in the beginning she was anything but that.

“The hardest part was coming off the best season of my life and having that adrenaline rush ev-

Auburn signee diagnosed with cancer FOOTBALL

Sam Butler SPORTS EDITOR

FILE PHOTO

LAST WEEK at Samford (W, 18-1 (5)) at Mississippi State (W, 3-2 (14); L, 6-3; W, 2-0) THIS WEEK March 23 vs. Georgia State (4 p.m.)

March 25-27 vs. South Carolina (6 p.m.; 6 p.m.; 1 p.m.)

ery game to knowing I was just going to be sitting and not really a part of the team as much,” Fagan said.

An advantage Fagan had with this ACL recovery compared to her first, however, was experience.

“My past experience has definitely been helpful to me because I’m able to know how far I can push my knee and how much it can take,” Fagan said.

It was difficult for her to come to terms with watching from the bench while her highly ranked team was in action, but once she did, the recovery process began going more smoothly than she could have anticipated. She had once feared that much of the season could be lost, but now she feels like she’s close to returning relatively early in the season.

Fagan has been regularly participating in team activities for much of this season, and she said she feels close to being cleared to play. She credits this to Auburn’s medical resources.

“Working with the trainers at Auburn and being able to progress as fast as I have has really been a blessing,” Fagan said.

While her recovery was a hard process, her perseverance combined with Auburn's medical resources has made the process quicker than anyone expected.

There isn’t a specific timetable for her return, but one thing is for certain.

It’s going to be soon.

247SPORTS.COM

Coach Gus Malzahn offered nothing but support for Brodarious Hamm, who becomes the second member of the 2016 recruiting class to be diagnosed with the disease.

SHOE ROOM

After a week off of practice, Auburn returned to the field Tuesday with high spirits, but some heartbreaking news emerged the same day.

Brodarious Hamm, an incoming offensive lineman who signed with the Tigers in February, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer.

Coach Gus Malzahn confirmed the news regarding the 6-foot-5, 320-pound tackle.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family,” Mal-

zahn said. “He’s a young man with a fine family. He’s got a great attitude.”

Hamm was rated as a three-star prospect out of Griffin, Georgia, and was part of an Auburn recruiting class that was the No. 9-ranked class in the nation, according to 247sports.com.

“At first, I was scared,” Hamm told 247Sports. “But I talked with the doctor and he said I'd be alright. He was just like, ‘This is nothing to worry about.

Believe in the treatment and believe in God and everything will be all right.’”

Despite the circum-

stances, Malzahn ensured Hamm had Auburn’s full support.

“We’re going to be there for him, he’s going to get through this, and we expect him to be with us after a short period of time after he gets healthy,” Malzahn said.

Hamm becomes the second Auburn recruit in the class of 2016 to be diagnosed with cancer.

Tashawn Manning, a defensive tackle from Apopka, Florida, was diagnosed with leukemia in December and is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments in Orlando, Florida.

Voted #1 Great Brands & Best Prices Hundreds of Brands Thousands of Shoes $19.99 or Less Save 35% - 80% off of Dept Store Prices 941 Opelika Road, Auburn, AL 334.821.5367 w w w. t h e s h o e r o o m . c o m M-F 10-7 :: Sat 9-6 :: Sun 1-5

You’re Going to Love our New Shoe Brands

Thursday, March 24, 2016

The Auburn Plainsman

KEN LANGLEY / GEORGIA TECH ATHLETICS

Andrew Mitchell continues his strong start to the 2016 season with a solid performance in a win over Georgia Tech.

Sports 9

CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN ATHLETICS

Janiah McKay drives to the hoop in Auburn’s first-round win over St. John’s in the NCAA Tournament.

This Week in Auburn Sports Women’s Basketball March 18 vs St. John’s W, 68-57

Auburn had to wait a long 10 days to discover its fate in the NCAA Tournament.

After slipping into the field of 64 teams, it took less than a half for the Tigers to prove they belonged.

Auburn used a strong first half and a careerhigh 24 points from freshman Janiah McKay to defeat St. John's, 68-57, on Friday and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

“I can't even begin to tell you how excited and proud I am of my young ladies to come out and play defense as impressive as they did,” said Auburn coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. “It goes to show you how much they have bought into our defense and how they’ve continued to play it day in, day out and how we knew we had to get after St. John’s today.”

McKay's 24 points tied for the most in Auburn (20-12) history by a freshman in an NCAA Tournament game. Jazmine Jones and Brandy Montgomery added 13 and 11 points for the Tigers, respectively.

The Tigers raced out to a 25-6 lead in the first half behind the same stifling press defense that led them to the tournament.

St. John's (23-10) cut its deficit to as little as 3 in the second half but never reclaimed the lead.

The win gave Williams-Flournoy her first NCAA Tournament win in her four season on The Plains. It was the 30th NCAA Tournament victory in school history.

March 20 vs Baylor L, 84-52

Basketball season has come to a close on The Plains after Auburn’s 84-52 loss to the Baylor Bears Sunday afternoon in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Brandy Montgomery led the Tigers with 14 points, Katie Frerking added 11 and senior Tra’Cee Tanner scored 13 in her final game for Auburn.

No.1 seeded Baylor’s superior height proved troublesome for the Tigers, and the Bears led 6839 through three quarters and forced Auburn into 12 turnovers to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16.

For coach Terri Williams-Flournoy and the Tigers, they have nothing to hang their heads about.

Baylor — which has made 13 straight trips to the Big Dance — were far more experienced than this year’s Auburn team, which made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2009.

Auburn finished its season with a 20-13 record, and Baylor improved to 35-1.

Gymnastics

SEC Championships 6th Place After making the night session at the SEC Championships for the second-straight year, No. 6 Auburn gymnastics scored a 196.975 to finish fourth at the event behind No. 2 Florida (197.775), No. 4 Alabama (197.750) and No. 3 LSU (197.500) The 196.975 is a program record at the SEC

FOOTBALL

Leading tackler returns to practice

FILE PHOTO

Rudy Ford returned to practice on Tuesday after missing the first five of the spring with an undisclosed illness.

Sam Butler SPORTS EDITOR

Auburn’s leading returning tackler is back.

After sitting out the first five practices of spring, upcoming senior safety Rudy Ford returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since Auburn’s season ended at the Birmingham Bowl in December.

He had been suffering an undisclosed illness, but Ford was in full uniform as the Tigers practiced live with full tackling for the first time this spring.

“It’s good [to have him back],” said Auburn coach Gus Malzahn. “We have a lot of information on Rudy. Our coaches know what they’re getting with him. Even though he was out the first five practices, it gave those younger guys more reps, now he’s back out there.

That leadership — especially in our league — experience and leadership, they just mean so much. When you get a guy like that back on one side of the football, it helps in all areas.”

Ford racked up 118 tackles in 2015, 22 more than the second-leading tackler, now-departed linebacker Kris Frost.

The other four out of the

top five tacklers from that season — Frost, Cassanova McKinzy, Blake Countess and Jonathan Jones — have graduated and entered their names into the NFL Draft, leaving Ford to assume a load of leadership and responsibility in their steads.

But even something as relatively meaningless as suiting up for a spring practice has left an impact on the rest of the secondary.

“Just having that weapon back there for us and knowing that he’s progressively getting better each practice, that he’s getting back into the flow of things, it’s a reassuring feeling as well,” said safety Nick Ruffin.

Ruffin had been taking firstteam reps at safety along with Stephen Roberts, but he wasn’t left to his own devices. According to Ruffin, Ford was aching to get back on the field, but he did whatever he could to help his team without being in uniform.

“You can kinda see the tension on his face,” Ruffin said.

“He loves being with his teammates, he loves being around us, loves being on the field. It was hard watching him sit there

and have to sit out, to just kinda stand on the side, but he handled it well. He coached us up on the sideline and always made sure that we understood if he saw something that we needed to improve on, he was there to tell us. He was still very engaged.”

While Ford had to shake off the rust of not practicing in a while, the rest of the Tigers had to follow suit after taking a week off for spring break.

According to Malzahn, however, they did just fine.

“There was a little bit there probably midway through practice, but they were excited to practice, coming out there, and that’s what you look for,” Malzahn said. “Their attitude was good, but it’s to be expected anytime you’re off, what 11, 12 days, there’s going to be a little bit of rust. But our guys’ energy was good, and they were flying around.”

That includes the quarterbacks, who Malzahn noted were ‘crisp’ in the individual periods.

Auburn will begin scrimmages Saturday as Malzahn gradually begins to prepare his team for A-Day on April 9.

Championships in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Tigers will now move on to NCAA Regionals.

Also with that score, Auburn also raises its Regional Qualifying Score average to a 197.150, keeping steady at sixth nationally.

Auburn began the night on floor, scoring a 49.350. Senior Caitlin Atkinson scored a 9.900, followed by sophomore Abby Milliet and junior Kullen Hlawek, each of whom scored a 9.875.

Next was vault for the Tigers, where they scored a 49.050. Atkinson and senior Lexus Demers led Auburn, each scoring a 9.850. On bars, the Tigers scored a 49.325, led by senior Kait Kluz’s season-best 9.900.

Auburn finished the night on beam with a 49.250, led by Atkinson’s 9.925.

Baseball

March 15 vs Ga. Tech W, 14-3 The Auburn Tigers traveled to Atlanta on Tuesday, March 15, for a showdown against the No. 22 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. These teams met earlier this month in a game that ended with an Auburn loss by a score of 4-1. This time, however, was much different.

After a four-game offensive drought, the Tigers seemed to have found their rhythm again, using big offensive innings to win their last two games. Tonight’s win came after Auburn brought in nine runs at the top of the fourth. Auburn eventually walked out of Russ Chandler Stadium with

a 14-3 victory.

This game marks the seventh time Auburn has scored 10 or more runs through the first 17 games. In 2015, the Tigers only posted 10 or more runs six times through 62 games.

The offensive stars of the game were Niko Buentello, who went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a home run, and Joshua Palacios, who was 3-for5 with three runs scored, two RBIs and a home run. Buentello’s two RBIs pushed his season total to 29, which leads the SEC. Andrew Mitchell had another good showing on the mound with five innings pitched and nine strikeouts.

With the win, Mitchell moved to 3-0 on the season. Marc Fraizer and Daniel Sprinkle each made appearances and pitched scoreless innings to close out the game and seal the win for the Tigers.

Frazier also recorded a season-high five strikeouts during his three innings.

“The last four days have been consistent offense,” said Auburn coach Butch Thompson.

“Andrew Mitchell didn’t have his best stuff, but he just battled tonight. To give us a chance to go on the road to beat a team like Georgia Tech is positive. With our lineup, I could really talk about four or five guys, and that’s the way you want it. Everybody is passing up and down the lineup, and we are going to try and keep this going for as long as we possibly can.”

Compiled by C.J. Holmes, Andrew Monson and Nathan Deal

Sports 10

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Parking Services Presents!

War Eagle Bike Share

Try today at these current hubs!

Wellness Kitchen Terrell Dining South Quad Deck Roosevelt Concourse Cambridge

Student Center Lowder West 1 RO/C Village Dining College Veterinary Medicine

Learn more online at au.gotchabike.com, or by downloading our “social bicycles” app.

The War Eagle Bike Share ‘How To’ Guide

Intrigue

Thursday, March 24, 2016

11 ThePlainsman.com

Intrigue

LIFESTYLE

Auburn students trade Aubie for Mickey Marissa Luckie INTRIGUE WRITER

A few Auburn students are trading in Aubie for a giant, talking mouse with the Disney College Program.

The program brings college students to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, or Disneyland in Anaheim, California, for a paid internship that lasts the span of a semester.

Students are brought from colleges all over the country and abroad to work various jobs that range from manning the rides and attractions to merchandise to food service to performing in parades and shows.

When the students aren’t working, they can take one or more of the different classes Disney offers, which are not accepted for credit at Auburn, or take advantage of free admission and parking at any of Disney’s parks.

But before getting to spend days off riding roller coasters and eating Mickey Mouseshaped ice cream bars, students must make it through the application process which, according to Taylor Sivley, sophomore in music education who will be moving down to Orlando as a program participant in August, can be daunting.

Sivley said applicants must go through different levels of interviews, a questionnaire, an online interview and a phone interview before being selected to participate in the program.

“What I’ve heard from someone who was in the program a couple years ago is that they took 20 percent of their applicants, and so at first, that made me really nervous … And I actually had applied before and not gotten as far as the phone interview,” Sivley said.

And once a student has been accepted, it is not all play and no work.

CONTRIBUTED BY BAILEY KAMM

Kamm poses in front of Cinderella Castle with her Disney ID.

Savannah Smith, senior in mechanical engineering, who is currently in the middle of her semester in the Disney College Program, said some nights she is working, manning the outdoor food stations such as the pop-

corn or cotton candy stands until 4 a.m.

Bailey Kamm, sophomore in industrial and systems engineering who is also part of the Disney College Program, said the long hour she works as a driver for one of Animal

Kingdom’s main attractions, the Kilimanjaro Safari, combined with all the fun things to do after work, has made for a level of constant exhaustion she was not prepared for.

According to Kamm the hardest part of the program is pushing through this exhaustion when, after a 10 hour day pointing out animals to tourists, she comes home to roommates who are already ready to go out and enjoy the parks before she has even had dinner.

And on top of work and having a social life, both Kamm and Smith are taking classes while in Disney as well.

Kamm is taking online courses not offered through Disney, as well as an engineering class through Disney.

Smith is also taking one of Disney’s engineering classes, which she said has been a great opportunity to see Disney and mechanical engineering in a new light.

Smith said two of the Imagineers took them around Epcot and showed them all of the different things the park had to offer.

Smith said it was neat to be shown around by the head honchos, and she discovered then that she could have that job some day.

Kamm said that these classes offer a chance to network with the engineers who come in each week, which, while scary, can help get a foot in the door down the road.

But, as a longtime Disney fan, Kamm’s favorite thing about the program is being able to soak up life in the famously coined “Most Magical Place on Earth.”

“When you are here as a guest, you are paying for it, and rushing to do everything – but when you are here all the time, you can really enjoy the atmosphere and just like sit in front of the castle and just enjoy your day,” Kamm said. “It is a whole different experience, and it truly is magical.”

Apple announces the new iPhone SE TECH COLUMN

Rachel Williams INTRIGUE WRITER

Tablets and large phones are filling the digital market to the brim, leaving the small profile of smartphones past in the dust. One size does not fit all, though, and some still feel that there is a value in going back to or keeping around a smaller phone.

When I last upgraded my phone to the iPhone 5, I turned down the option for the larger and better iPhone 6 because it was going to be too large.

I had a slight hunch that I may have to take good care of it in order to avoid getting a huge phone.

In its latest Keynote product release this morn-

ing, Apple has revealed its solution to the outcry for a comfortably sized device. The latest product is the iPhone SE. Following the trend of the iPhone 4 and 4s, this is an upgrade, but it is also a replacement of the iPhone 5s.

This is interesting and seemingly backwards — extending a product line that is one behind the current one. The phone is keeping the same 4-inch screen dimension, but is upgrading to many features from the iPhone 6 Additional features, now available on both phones include a 12 megapixel camera with Live Photo, an NFC chip for Apple Pay, a front-facing flash and four color options. The phone will be available beginning March 31 at a more budgetfriendly price point.

Rachel can be reached at intrigue@ThePlainsman.com.

VIA APPLE.COM

The new iPhone SE combines the size of the iPhone 5 with the features of the iPhone 6.

ENTERTAINMENT

Professor’s book to be produced by Universal Ben Ruffin

INTRIGUE WRITER

Playing a round of golf at Clint Eastwood’s private golf club, Tehama Golf Club in Carmel, California, is a rare opportunity for some and not even an option for many.

However, playing a round of golf with Eastwood on his own golf course is even more rare.

For James Hansen, history professor at Auburn, both of the situations became a reality years back.

However, Hansen was not just teeing it up with Eastwood, as former NASA astronaut and the first man to land on the moon, Neil Armstrong, also joined the two.

In 1999, Hansen reached out to Armstrong in hopes Armstrong would allow him to write his biography.

At first, Armstrong told Hansen he was too busy and had already turned down several previous offers from renowned authors such as Stephen Ambrose and James Michener.

While Hansen admits he thought about quitting, he said he elected to send Armstrong what he described as a “goody box,” which included three of his books, including a biography called “From the Ground Up” about aircraft designer Fred Weick.

“He was known to be not a reclusive man but a private man,” Hansen said. “After I got the polite rejection letter, I thought that was it, but then I sent that box, and I thought I’ll just let him take a look at these books and maybe he will come around.”

Nearly two years later, in June 2002, Armstrong came around to the idea as he wrote Hansen a letter granting him access to write the bi-

CONTRIBUTED BY JAMES HANSEN

James Hansen is one step closer to seeing his biography on Neil Armstrong become a film.

ography.

Days later Hansen drew up a formal contract, and after a few months, Armstrong signed the letter, giving Hansen his full support and encouragement.

Published in 2005 by Simon & Schuster, “First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong” is the official biography of Armstrong.

In 2003, Hansen’s agent was approached by Eastwood and Warner Bros. about purchasing the

film, and after much thought, Hansen gave them the rights to make a movie out of Armstrong’s biography.

“I didn’t think about it [making it a movie] right at the very start,” Hansen said. “As soon as the word got out that I was going to do this book, and it was being done with one of the major New York City trade presses, and the fact the biography was being in done in itself made news, and almost immediately, Warner Bros. called.”

However, the production came to a halt after years of no production at all. Eastwood decided not to continue on with the production of “First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong,” as Hansen said Armstrong found himself immersed in too many projects at one time.

After Eastwood decided not to pursue producing the film, the timetable to their rights expired, giving Universal Studios the opportunity to purchase the film and actually produce it.

“There’s been two or three different attempts to get scripts written and get this project moving, and nothing has really come of it until now,” Hansen said. “The man who wrote the screenplay for ‘Spotlight,’ Josh Singer, has now written a script for the Armstrong movie, and Universal plans to start shooting sometime next year.”

Now that Universal has the rights to the film, and the script is nearly finished, Hansen said he still has his doubts about letting one of his “babies” out of his hands.

“I tried so hard to get the Armstrong story factual, and now my biggest fear now that it’s in Hollywood’s hands is that they have to fictionalize the story in order to make a dramatic movie, and I am concerned they could go too far with the fictionalization,” Hansen said.

Intrigue 12

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Indoor plants bring life to small spaces LIFESTYLE

Marissa Luckie INTRIGUE WRITER

Keeping plants indoors offers benefits outside of adding aesthetic appeal to a space.

Victoria Lewis, sophomore in theater who keeps plants in her apartment, said the aloe vera plant she grows can help heal cuts and burns.

Lewis said although she has not tried yet, she would like to grow an herb garden in her apartment.

When she lived in a dorm, Lewis tried to grow a mint plant after she could not find mint leaves in the grocery store, but it did not survive.

She believes the death of her mint plant could be attributed to a couple of factors – failing to water it correctly, and sitting it directly in front of the window, which was the only spot available in her dorm. However, she can not say for sure what actually killed it.

Jack Mullins, freshman in computer science who kept a succulent jade plant and a lithops plant in his dorm, had a similar story.

“When I first got them in my room, one of the jade stalks died from shock,” Mullins said. “It

wasn’t used to so much sunlight.”

Advice Carolyn Robinson, associate professor in horticulture, gives on growing plants in dorms confirms Lewis’ and Mullins’ belief that too much sunlight could be to blame for the death of their plants.

Too much or too little light can be harmful.

Robinson said that when considering what kind of plant to get, especially in smaller spaces like dorm rooms, it is important to consider how much light the plant will receive.

One way to determine what level of lighting plants will get in a dorm is to consider which direction the windows face, according to Robinson.

Robinson said if windows are east-facing, they are going to get morning sun that is not going to be too intense or hot.

He said if a window is on a south-facing side, the plants are probably going to get a lot of light all day long.

He also said the west side will get morning shade and afternoon sun, but it is going to be the hot, intense sun of the day. And if your window is on the north side, you are not going to get much

direct sunlight.

For those north-facing windows and other places that receive less direct sunlight, Robinson suggests plants such as Chinese evergreen, dracaena or philodendron, which require little light and are low maintenance.

For places with more light, Robinson said a plant such as the Boston fern would be a good addition.

Boston ferns are easy to grow and, according to Robinson, are near the top of the list as plants that act as an air filter.

Plants can be used to season food, heal burns and purify air, but according to Robinson, they can also be helpful in a less obvious way.

Studies have shown that keeping indoor plants can help improve the productivity and well-being of the people who live with them, Robinson said.

“I think that our basic needs as humans are towards nature, and being able to bring a little bit of nature into your environment,” Robinson said.”It just gives you that connection and a sense of peace.”

But not all plants are good to keep in all hous-

es, apartments or dorms, Robinson said.

Some plants can cause sickness or even death if ingested or have a sap that can cause a rash, according to Robinson.

However, if concerned about the ability to keep a plant alive, Lewis warns against getting a bonsai tree, which she attempted to grow after seeing them for sale for $15 on the side of the road while driving in Florida.

In order to keep the plant alive, it must be kept in a temperature between a small margin, and must stay moist but not drenched away from wind.

Lewis said even her mother, who is familiar with plants and gardening, could not keep the plant alive.

But despite a couple failures along the way, Lewis loves the plants she has now, including a panda succulent, a spider plant and aloe vera plant.

“Having [plants] is like letting in sunshine through the windows,” Lewis said. “It’s just something nice to distract you from the fact that you are inside.”

A guide on how to spring into a fresher diet Amanda Myles INTRIGUE WRITER

The spring season, which lasts from the beginning of March to the end of June, is considered the first season of the calendar year and marks the first noticeable shift in weather as days become longer and warmer.

Spring carries with it a feeling of rejuvenation and energy and an abundance of fresh produce.

Spring offers people the opportunity to refresh and lighten up their diets with healthier lifestyles.

According to lifestylefood.com, with more time spent outside under the sun, less time will be spent inside cooking.

So put away the slow cooker and use faster cooking tools such as salad bowls and steamers, and expirience the benefits of spring foods.

During spring, the liver and gall bladder are most sensitive, so it seems like the right time to

To Place an Ad, Call 334-844-9101 or E-mail admanager@theplainsman.com

ELLEN JACKSON / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Fresh fruits and vegetables offer many benefits to a student’s diet.

cleanse, according to lifestylefood.com.

The sour flavor found in fruits, such as lemons and limes, stimulates the liver and gall bladder.

Bitter-flavored foods such as rye, radicchio and chamomile are also beneficial, as they have a great effect on the liver.

Sweet flavor is abundant in the spring in sweeteners such as real maple syrup and raw honey.

Tigermarket

For Sale

Employment

Like new two years old Trailer 16 X 66 Trailer. Two bedrooms with two baths. Special Northern custom built has extra insulation, extra wall studs, and energy efficient windows. All electric home has low utility bills (under $150) year around. Great room/kitchen combination. Wood plank vinyl flooring. Bedrooms have beige carpet. Like new Furniture store furnishings available if needed.

2014 home was lived in less than two years.

Front porch, and two smaller stoop decks with stairs included.

Email lhicks@legacypropertiesselma.com

Spotless-Cleaning Position: Available Working Days: Mon-Fri Time Schedule: 11 AM - 2 PM Minimum Requirement.

To Apply: Contact (Lee) via email Email: leegold042@ gmail.com or text 602492-3144 Applicant Must Apply with: 1 Reference.

Wine Night Wednesday 4 pm - Close $2.50 / Glass $8 Bottles

Fresh fruits flourish in the spring, and local farmers markets start to pop up. According to cookinglight.com, fresh strawberries are in peak season from mid-April to early June.

According to lifestylefood.com, it is significant to know vegetable juices are much healthier to consume than fruit juices.

It is important to eat fruit whole in order to

The Auburn Plainsman

get fiber rather than just consuming the fructose, which can form internal fat around organs.

Spring is the perfect time for garden-fresh vegetables and fast growing plants, including asparagus, artichokes, rhubarb, sprouts, wheat grass and barley green.

According to lifestlylefood.com, dark leafy greens, cabbage and broccoli are valuable in the spring because they help the digestion of meat and fatty foods, which might have been consumed in large amounts during the winter season.

In exchange for heavy creamy sauces and dressings used during the winter season, use lighter ones with ingredients such as orange juice, raw honey, mustard and extra-virgin olive or flax oil.

Also, fresh herbs such nettle, dandelion, black pepper, parsley and rosemary are perfect to cook with for springtime health, according to dellaterrawellness.com.

Amanda can be reached at intrigue@ThePlainsman.com.

Print Deadline Noon three business days prior to publication