SOUTH CAROLINA GAME DAY SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE
The Auburn Plainsman
A Spirit That Is Not Afraid
First copy is free. Additional copies 50 cents.
Thursday, October 23, 2014 Vol. 122, Issue 19, 14 Pages Online
Case closed
politics
campus
Two SGA members admit to taking student newspapers ThePlainsman.com Check out football coverage Saturdays
Becky Hardy Editor-in-Chief
inside campus
kenny moss / photographer
Hubbard indicted Mike Hubbard and his wife, Susan, answer questions at the press confernece,Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Page A3
Day in the Life of a Teaching Assistant
Speaker of the House charged with 23 counts of ethics violations
community
Jim Little
Community Reporter
State Rep. Mike Hubbard, speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives and representative from Auburn, was indicted by a Lee County grand jury and charged with 23 class B felonies, including four counts of using his office for personal gain. Hubbard helped lead the Republican Party to a majority position in the Alabama State Legislature in 2010. He was first elected to the Alabama State House of Representatives from Auburn in 1998. Hubbard denied any claims of wrongdoing, calling the grand jury a “political witch hunt.” The seven-page indictment alleges Hubbard violated Alabama law when he used his position as head of the Alabama Republican Party in 2010 to spend party money with the Auburn Network, Craftmaster Printers and other businesses he owns. If convicted, Hubbard could face up to 20 years in jail for each count, according to a statement released by special prosecutor W. Van Davis. Davis was appointed to oversee the investigation after Attorney General Luther Strange recused himself in January 2013.
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Architecture holds pumpkin carve
sports
Page A9
Cheerleader keeps family tradition
» See hubbard a2
Man arrested for shooting at The Hub apartment complex Ashtyne Cole
Community Editor
Page A11
Students build electric race car index A1 A6 A7 A9 A12
All Sales Final - As Is. *Layaways available with 20% down. (Some giftware not included.) Must be picked up by Dec. 24. Marquirette’s complimentary services,i.e. sizing, appraisals,etc. will be a modest extra charge during sale. No returns or exchanges during sale.Store credits and gift cards NOT accepted during sale.
Aug. 28 Pages were stolen, police report filed
crime
intrigue
Campus Opinion Community Sports Intrigue
During a press conference at the Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center held Tuesday, Oct. 21, Hubbard’s attorney Mark White told reporters the indictment was repugnant and an attack on the right of a private citizen to make a private investment. “Mike Hubbard will not resign,” White said. “Mike Hubbard will not step aside as speaker.” White also said his legal team would advance the case as quickly as possible. “I think it is only appropriate – being a graduate of the great institution that is across the street from me – to tell you that our team will be running a hurry-up offense,” White said. Hubbard, with his wife standing next to him and surrounded by other members of the Alabama Legislature wearing “I like Mike” stickers, briefly spoke to reporters, blaming the indictment on politics. “We have made monumental, substantive changes that is definitely shaking up the status quo,” Hubbard said. Congressman Mike Rogers was also at the press conference and insinuated Strange was trying to stop Hubbard from running for governor in 2018.
Two individuals were confirmed to be the culprits behind stealing more than 1,000 copies of The Plainsman from multiple locations on campus. Colson Smith, SGA executive vice president of programs, and Kohl Weir, SGA senator at large, admitted to Student Conduct they stole the papers from the Student Center, Lowder Hall, Shelby Center, Foy Hall and Broun Hall. Logan Powell, SGA president, as well as Smith and Weir, said the theft was an individual act and not committed as an organization. As stated in their apology letters, Smith and Weir said they stole the papers because they were upset by the editorial, “SGA puts the brakes on security,” which can be found on ThePlainsman.com. “That morning, I was particularly disappointed in an article that minimized the work of one my good friends seemingly without regard to the months of thought and effort he had invested on behalf of Auburn students,” Smith said in his letter. “In the subsequent decision, I neglected to put myself in the shoes of your editors and staff that work so hard to produce the paper for students to enjoy.” Smith declined to comment further. Weir said he also stole the papers as a reaction to the editorial. “I was emotionally upset about an article that was written about the work of one of my close friends,” Weir said. “I felt
At 2:11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21 the Auburn Police Division responded to “shots fired” at the apartment complex The Hub, located at the 600 block of Shug Jordan Parkway. Blake Alexander, 21, was arrested and charged with first-degree assault in the case. The victim, who is a 21-year-old male who was a maintenance worker at the apartment complex, was shot once in the chest.
“The victim, who was an acquaintance of Alexander, was shot after a verbal altercation between the two of them escalated,” stated the APD press release. “Detectives obtained an arrest warrant on Alexander charging him with assault first degree and he was taken into custody while still at the scene.” The victim was airlifted to the Mid-town Medical Center in Columbus where his condition is stable. Alexander was transported to the Lee County Detention Facility under a
alexander $50,000 bond and is not a student at the University. According to Captain Lorenza Dorsey, no other information is available at this time.
Sept. 17 Video request hand delivered to public safety by AUPD
Sept. 30 Student conduct starts investigation process
“
I felt that at the time it was the best I could do so that no one read it.That was emotional and impulsive. It wasn’t something that I felt was the right move looking back.” —Kohl Weir
SGA senator at large
that at the time that was the best thing I could do so that no one read it. That was emotional and impulsive. It wasn’t something that I felt was the right move looking back.” Weir said he realized he made a mistake two hours after he took the papers. “I probably could have approached this in a different way,” Weir said. “I didn’t really know what I was thinking. I thought, ‘I’m just going to take these and put them back after my classes and no one will read them.’” Weir claimed he turned himself into Student Affairs administration Aug. 28 after reading tweets about the incident from The Plainsman Twitter account. The adminstrator Weir mentioned he spoke to declined to comment on the case. The Auburn Police Division did not deem this incident a crime.
» See case a2
Sept. 8 Received an anonymous tip on suspects Sept. 19 Have two suspects in mind. City attorney Rick Davidson deemed stolen newspapers not a crime Oct. 15 Smith and Weir signed administative resolutions raye may / photo editor
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The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, October 23, 2014
student spotlight
DUI reports The following were arrested and charged with driving under the influence by the Auburn Police Division from October 16-20: October 16 - Maia Elizabeth Edwards Borowicz, 19 East Glenn Avenue October 17 - Carroll Travis Tolar, 26 141 North Ross Street - John Thomas Price Jr., 27 North Gay Street and West Magnolia Avenue October 18 - Leonard Keith Barr, 41 Lee County Sheriff’s Office
crime reports The following crimes were reported by the Auburn Police Division from October 16-20: October 16 - Burglary with force at a non-residence was reported at the 3000 block of AL Highway 14 at 5:20 a.m. - First-degree criminal trespass was reported at the 200 block of West Longleaf Drive at 2:40 p.m. - Leaving the scene of an accident was reported at South Gay Street at West Magnolia Avenue at 1:20 a.m. - First-degree property theft was reported at the 900 block of West Veterans Boulevard at 4:33 p.m. October 17 - Shoplifting was reported at the 1700 block of South College Street at 1:31 p.m. - Second-degree criminal trespass was reported at the 100 block of South College Street at 1 a.m. - Third-degree burglary was reported at the 100 block of East Glenn Avenue at 4:58 p.m. - Simple assault harrassment was reported at the 100 block of West Magnolia Avenue at 1:48 a.m. October 18 - First-degree rape by an acquaintance was reported at 3:43 p.m. - Criminal mischief and damage to public property were reported at the 200 block of West Longleaf Drive - Disorderly conduct, simple assault harrassment and third-degree criminal trespass were reported at the 200 block of Opelika Road October 19 - Third-degree property theft was reported at the 300 block of East Samford Avenue at 7 p.m. - Menacing was reported at the 300 block of East Magnolia Avenue at 9:30 p.m. - Burglary of a residence with force was reported at the 200 block of Martin Avenue at 11 p.m. –Reports provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety
The Auburn Plainsman now accepting applications for spring. Located in the plainsman office, student center suite 1111 For more information email Becky Hardy, Editor-In-chief, at editor@theplainsman.com
Student uses Internet to announce sexuality Brian Stultz Campus Writer
Mason Briles felt he had nowhere to turn for support. Briles said he felt no one was in his situation and would understand. He anonymously turned to Twitter to see if there was anyone out there who knew what he was going through. He quickly found many people who have gone through the same thing he was experiencing. Briles, junior in business, announced he was gay last month on Outsports.com. Before that, he was only known by the Twitter handle Closeted Athlete. “I made the Twitter account because I really didn’t know where to look for support,” Briles said. “I thought I would put myself out there anonymously at first and see if I could find some guidance from people on the Internet.” A friendship between Cyd Zeigler, writer for Outsports and author in sexuality and sports, and Briles started to grow. Stating in his article that “Briles seemed desperately far from coming out” when they first met, Zeigler said meeting other people who were in the same situation made a huge difference for Briles. Briles agreed Outsports helped with the decision to publicly declare his sexuality. “I used Outsports as my platform for quite a few reasons,” Briles said. “Some of the main people who were helping me through this are athletes themselves, and they have either used Outsports or have connected to the people that run Outsports. I was connected through them to a support network as well.” A former fencer from suburban Atlanta, Briles said he wants to be a role model and guide for people who are in his situation. “There was no one that was in my exact situation,” Briles said. “Deep South, former athlete and in a fraternity. I want-
case
» From A1 The matter was investigated by Student Conduct starting Sept. 30. Smith and Weir were giv-
hubbard » From A1
“It’s not rocket science, but I’ll tell you what it is,” Rogers said. “It’s Chicago-style gutter politics, and it’s got no place in Lee County and the State of Alabama.” Later, White confirmed he was referring to Strange. “I cannot figure out when General Strange is the Attorney General and when he is
ed to put myself out there as the role model I never had so I could help out people who were in similar situations to me.” A brother of Alpha Sigma Phi, Briles also faced the daunting task of telling his fraternity brothers. His statement came in the form of a letter. “From the moment we are born, we are expected to conform to whatever norms society has for us,” said the statement. “Anytime someone happens to be different, they are automatically labeled as such. While at first, these labels can seem incredibly cruel or hurtful, with time I have found these labels can do no more harm than they are allowed to do. With that being said, I am about to put a label on myself. It is a label I am happy to have and it is a label I will wear with pride. I am gay.” The reactions from his fraternity brothers, family members and friends have been encouraging. “Everyone has reacted great,” Briles said. “I’ve had nothing negative come of it at all. My parents love and support me, and my friends support me. A lot of friendships have gotten even closer since I came out.” Briles’ friend Matthew Cook said he was surprised by the letter, but it does not change the way he looks at Briles. “Mason is one of the nicest and hardest-working guys that I know, and I can honestly say that I am proud to be his friend and brother,” Cook said. “He is one of those guys that I would trust with my life, and I would not be hesitant to help him with anything he needs help with.” As for advice for people who might be in his situation, Briles has a strong message for them. “If you can’t come out now or are questioning yourself, take your time,” Briles said. “It happens for everyone at their own pace. There’s no cut off. Live your life the way you want to live it and ultimately do what is best for you.”
contributed by Mason briles
Mason Briles fences in his spare time.
raye may / photo editor
Briles announced he was gay on OutSports.com.
en an option to approve or disagree with the sanctions presented by The Plainsman and Student Affairs. The sanctions Smith and Weir agreed to were to write a formal apology letter for
the print and online editions of The Plainsman and to pay back half of the total $1,660 lost from the theft. Also, as part of the sanctions, a representative of Student Conduct will make a rec-
ommendation to Powell to ask them to resign from SGA. Smith and Weir agreed to the sanctions Oct. 15. The their apology letters can be found on the Opinion page, A6.
not,” White said. Strange said in a statement he was not involved in the investigation. “I made the decision to recuse myself from the matter involving Speaker Hubbard several months ago,” Strange said. “I did so on recommendations of our career prosecutors and to completely remove any appearance of politics being involved in the matter.” After posting bond Mon-
day, Oct. 20, Hubbard attended a candidate forum in Auburn hosted by the League of Women Voters of East Alabama. No mention was made of Hubbard’s indictment. “This has been going on for two years, dragging on and on, and here they come two weeks before an election and make these allegations,” Hubbard said in a video posted to his Facebook. Hubbard is being chal-
lenged by Democrat Shirley Scott-Harris in the Nov. 4 election. Scott-Harris called the allegations against Hubbard serious, but she trust the judicial system will handle it. “People want government that’s honest, and they want government that’s truthful,” Scott-Harris said. “Alabama is ranked as a state with high corruption and that’s a bad tag to have.”
photos of the week
raye may / photo editor
Amanda Gunn, winner of the Southen Humanities Review poetry prize, reads at a special poetry reading honoring the late Jake Adam York, poet who graduated from Auburn and died in 2012.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Campus A3
The Auburn Plainsman
POLITICS
Auburn Family weighs in on midterm elections Derek Herscovici Campus Reporter
Midterm elections are when political parties vie to win a majority of the seats in government. With the first open presidential election just around the corner in 2016, winning a majority of the available positions would give either major political party control over the nation’s decision-making process. Despite historically low turnouts, campus representatives of both main political parties have been hard at work for their own local candidates and registering voters. “Vote what you feel in your heart and what you feel is most consistent with what you believe in,” said Morgan Giddens, chairman of the Auburn Campus Republicans and senior in accounting. “The main thing is just getting voter registration up. College-age kids don’t tend to vote in elections lately. For me, I just want people to have a chance to vote. I would rather someone vote for something opposing to me than not vote at all.” Giddens said members of Campus Republicans were invited to spend their fall break on an all-expenses-paid trip to Atlanta to assist on the David Perdue campaign for the Georgia Senate against Democratic nominee Michelle Nunn. In the past, Campus Republicans assisted in campaigns for Alabama senate nominee Tom Whatley, Attorney General Luther Strange and 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Giddens joined the Campus Republicans during the 2012 presidential race and said the outcome was “a pretty hard hit for the Republican Party.” “That was a very winnable election, and honestly, we should have hit the minority groups a lot harder,” Giddens said. “That’s one place that Republicans failed, in my opinion. The Republican Party needs to show that they care and
“
The big strategy is set up the rules so you can win.That’s what politics is all about, winning so you can write the rules to win again.” —Kathryn Hale
Political science professor
fight the perception that we’ve become elitists.” Despite political trends toward marriage equality, abortion rights and more liberal policies, Giddens said he still leans towards more conservative policies. “(Marriage equality) is one of the most important issues for me because of my faith in those areas,” Giddens said. According to Giddens, opinions are likely to change by generation. “With the younger generations coming, it’s a possibility that there will be a more relaxed stance on social issues in the future. Honestly, I can’t say for certain, but it’s a possibility that that could happen.” At the opposite end of the ballot, the Auburn Campus Democrats have been fighting what Alicia Valenti, president of the Auburn Campus Democrats and senior in public administration, calls an uphill battle. “Maybe not in this state, because it’s so conservative and you have the Republican super majority in the state senate, but at the national level, I think (this election) is going to make a big difference in terms of the composition of the Senate and the House,” Valenti said. “Say that the Senate becomes two-thirds Republican. If a Supreme Court justice leaves, they’re more likely to want a conservative justice to take
their place. That could make a big difference in the long run, moreso than any other member of Congress taking office.” While still the minority party in Alabama state legislature, Democrats embody the dissenting opinion on many social rights topics, making it more appealing to women and younger generations in the process, Valenti said. Though Democrats might enjoy a majority position in other parts of the country, Valenti said, in the South, Alabama specifically, it can be difficult to campaign on anything other than a Republican ticket. When she joined during the 2012 presidential election, Valenti said she and other members of the Auburn Campus Democrats raised money to support the Obama campaign in states where the incumbent was predicted to have a stronger following. Additionally, Democrats in Alabama have begun adopting Republican traits to make themselves and their policies more attractive to conservative voters. Valenti pointed to Democratic candidate for Attorney General Joe Hubbard as the latest example in blurring political lines. “He’s pro-family but also pro-gun, and that’s definitely not one of our platforms,” Valenti said. “Just locally, I think that’s a good example of the extremism that has made Democrats more centrist. There may be people who think that [Democrats] are leaning too far left, but in my personal opinion, I think the Republican Party has been pulling the nation, as a whole, more to the right.” Members of the Auburn Campus Democrats have been volunteering on the campaign of former Auburn professor and state representative candidate Shirley Scott-Harris. Harris is running on a platform of equal and affordable college education and fighting unemployment.
“The Democrats have an eventual goal of making college more affordable and accessible, creating greater equality, both economic and social, and to maintain a woman’s bodily autonomy,” Valenti said. The dominant election theory for both sides has been to regroup their bases while attracting new voters, but political victories this year might hinge on neither the candidates nor the policies, but the voting itself. The rules of the election vary state to state because of the 2013 outcome of Shelby County v. Holder. Because of the case, states no longer have to review changes to their local election practices with the Department of Justice. “[Now] states can change the election laws whenever they want, and many already have,” said Kathryn Hale, political science professor. “Many states have chosen to impose new rules about identification or changed restricted periods of early voting or the ability to register and vote on the same day. These are things that we could generally think of as making (elections) more convenient for voters.” In recent years, the Democratic Party has taken measures to expand access to elections, while Republicans have made efforts to restrict or limit elections, Hale said. Under new regulations passed in Alabama, Wisconsin, Kansas and Texas, among others, voters will need to provide additional identification and proof of citizenship, making the process more difficult for voters who don’t have access to those documents. With a predicted turnout expected to be lower than the midterm elections in 2006 and 2010, Hale said the rules of access and participation this year will matter even more. “The big strategy is set up the rules so you can win,” Hale said. “That’s what politics is all about, winning so you can write the rules to win again.”
Shelby Reister / assistant graphics editor
Graduate school
A day in the life of a graduate teaching assistant Ben Ruffin
Campus Reporter
Kenny MOSS / PHOTOGRAPHER
TOP: Sarah Anne Adamson said she likes to keep her classrooms relaxed. BOTTOM: Sarah Anne Adamson teaches a public speaking class.
Huddled below Tichenor Hall, in the back halls of the basement, you can find a group of teachers hard at work. However, these teachers are not your average college professors. They are also students. The day of a graduate teaching assistant is one filled with plenty of time for work and little time for play. Sarah Anne Adamson, GTA for communication 1000, or public speaking, said her day begins early and often with frustration because of the lack of on-campus parking. Adamson, whose first class begins at 8 a.m., said Auburn Parking Services does not give graduate students parking decals, leaving them with the same frustration as undergraduate students. “We don’t get parking decals, so we have to walk and have just as many parking problems as students even though we are teaching the classes,” Adamson said. Once Adamson arrives on campus, she teaches public speaking at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. in the same room in Lowder Hall. She has a break at 10 a.m. Adamson calls this hour the coffee hour, since she uses it to re-fuel with coffee for the class
“
It makes for a long day. Some days I’m on campus from 8 a.m., or maybe a little earlier, to 8 p.m. That is 12 hours, so it obviously can be exhausting.” —Sarah Anne Adamson
Graduate teaching assistant
she teaches at 11 a.m. Adamson’s responsibilities as a graduate teaching assistant include setting up the lectures for the day, getting the classroom in order and pulling up whatever visual aids are necessary. Adamson plays music before her classes to lighten the mood. She said she finds pre-class time to be awkward for everyone. “It’s just really awkward when it’s silent and everyone is really trying to not make eye contact with you, and I’m just standing there by myself,” Adamson said. Following the conclusion of their classes, Adamson and the other GTAs meet in a room in Tichenor Hall to host their office hours.
This typically lasts from 12-4 p.m. During this time, they either do work for their nighttime classes or help students. According to Adamson, this time is also used to have a little bit of fun. Adamson admitted the GTAs often have sing-alongs during their office hours. “We are a weird group of people,” Adamson said. “We usually tell students that the best way to find us is to go to the basement of Tichenor and listen for us because we have to leave the door open and we’re normally really loud, but it can be fun.” Students can find office hours to be intimidating when they walk into a room filled with older people, according to Adamson. Adamson said this is why they try and keep the mood relaxed. After the conclusion of the office hours, the GTAs for the School of Communication and Journalism prepare for their evening classes. The classes begin at 4 p.m. and can last until 5:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. “It makes for a long day,” Adamson said. “Some days I’m on campus from 8 a.m., or maybe a little earlier, to 8 p.m. That is 12 hours, so it obviously can be exhausting.”
Campus A4
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, October 23, 2014
academics
Are study guides guiding students too much? Ben Ruffin
Campus Reporter
Many classes available today have three or four tests to make up the final grade. Study tools can ease the pain of stressing over doing well on a test. Study guides are often utilized by students to prepare for upcoming quizzes or exams. Some study guides come in the form of specific questions, while some come in the form of bullet points and tend to point students toward some of the topics on the exam. Whether or not a teacher gives a study guide is completely up to that teacher. Johnathon Hefner, freshman in business, said transitioning from a place where study guides are the norm to a place where study sessions are popular is difficult because study sessions tend to be vague. According to Hefner, in his high school, study guides were common. “In high school, my teachers handed out study guides and it made things easier,” Hefner said. “Now, some of my professors here hold review sessions instead, and those can be vague, and people leave without knowing what to focus on.” Some teachers are in agreement that study guides help students prepare for tests. However, others said they believe study guides are more of a list of topics that will be on the exam, rather than a guide through topics covered in class. Susan Brinson, professor in the School of Communication and Journalism, said she will no longer be handing out
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What we’re teaching in the United States is what you’re going to be tested on.There is so much emphasis and pressure on standardized exams and schools are trying to perform at the highest levels.” —Susan Brinson
Communication and journalism professor
study guides to some of her classes after she researched study guides and the effects on students. “What I found was that a study guide was simply a list of things that will be on the exam,” Brinson said. Brinson said she believes study guides do more harm than good. “From what I’ve found, a study guide excludes other things taught during the class that are still important to know down the road,” Brinson said. According to Brinson, everything she teaches serves a purpose. “It would be a huge waste of time, so obviously there is some importance behind me teaching everything I teach,” Brinson said. Study guides, which Brinson acknowledged have been around for many years, have harmed students ability to learn as students gained knowledge that what was on the study guide was going to be on the exam, Brinson said. “In some ways, yes, I think they have hurt students,” Brin-
son said. “Since you guys were in middle school and all the way up, you were probably given study guides and you probably learned that what’s on the study guide is what’s going to be on the exam. Now, in college, the assumption is what’s going to be on the study guide is going to be on the exam and in my class that’s not accurate.” Brinson said she believes study guides that point too much toward what will be on the exam is the fault of the United States educational system. “This I think is just a general failure of the educational system in the United States,” Brinson said. “What we’re teaching in the United States is what you’re going to be tested on. There is so much emphasis and pressure on standardized exams and schools are trying to perform at the highest levels.”
Charlotte Kelly / graphics editor
Emily Enfinger / assistant photo editor
It is up to each professor to decide whether they will distribute study guides.
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Campus A5
The Auburn Plainsman
Student government
SGA senate council approves diversity learning community Derek Herscovici Campus Reporter
The SGA senate council meeting voted unanimously Monday, Oct. 20, to approve the creation of a diversity learning community on Auburn’s campus. First-year students interested in culture, religion, race and inclusion will have the opportunity to learn alongside peers with similar interests and identities. The learning community is not a livinglearning community yet, but College of Liberal Arts senator and senior in political science Dillon Nettles said he believes it’s a step in the right direction. “As a senator, I thought it was important the First Year Experience Office knew that this was something that was in the interest of students,” Nettles said. “I hope as a member of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Diversity that SGA can expand upon issues of diversity, LGBT rights, issues of race, gender, even class on this campus. Those are all things that our commit-
tee wants to promote throughout the rest of our term, and I hope that more legislation like this will come to the floor.” Nettles said he was happy to bring the issue of a diversity learning community to the attention of the SGA, but he said he felt it wasn’t his responsibility to mandate a timetable for its completion. “It’s really a framework to work within, and it doesn’t actually implement a specific date,” Nettles said. “It was important not to do that because I felt that administrators tasked with carrying out the learning-community process can do it in the way that they feel will be most beneficial for students.” Members of Spectrum, Auburn’s on-campus gay-straight alliance, were in attendance to offer support and gratitude. Max Zinner, Spectrum political affairs director and senior in anthropology, said the establishment of the learning community was a big step in correcting Auburn’s LGBT image problem.
you do not understand the NCAA rules. Didion said he has worked for the NCAA for 25 years himself. The Athletic Department asked that the student body and community not give student athletes any extra benefits, make special arrangements in restaurants or at businesses for them or to contact future athletic prospects outside of approved Athletic Department communications. Even paying for a student’s lunch could put Auburn and the team in jeopardy, Didion said. “If you are friends with someone who is being recruited by Auburn and they send you texts, leave it to the coaches, unless you’re a lifelong friend,” Didion said. “In any case, you should contact the compliance department first to make sure you’re OK. You’re helping to protect their eligibility to play college sports.” Next week, a resolution to extend the amount of time between the formal end of the school semester and the beginning of exam week, known as dead week, will be up for vote.
“Auburn’s been listed as one of the most LGBT-unfriendly colleges by The Princeton Review,” Zinner said. “Anything that the University can do to get off that list is great. Anything that can be done to make an underrepresented community, especially the LGBT community, more visible would be very welcome by Spectrum.” In other SGA business: There was a brief presentation from the Office of Compliance from within the Athletic Department regarding NCAA infractions at Auburn. Though there are currently no malpractice claims filed by the NCAA against Auburn, the Athletic Department wants to nip any future infractions in the bud. “There are two things in the Athletic Department we try to live by,” said Dave Didion, associate athletic director. “Tell the truth, no matter how painful, and if you see something, say something.” Didion said it is easy to get in trouble when
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USC GAME DAY
Sudoku
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
ACROSS 1 Dressage gear 5 Sound of warning 9 Repel, with “off” 14 Member of a ’60s quartet 15 Competitive blade 16 Projecting window 17 Like an insufficient account 19 Best-dressed goal? 20 Start of an optical illusion quip 22 Agnus __ 23 Film dog’s first name? 24 Quip, part 2 31 “A little __ the mightiest Julius fell”: Horatio 32 Rocket retired in 2011 33 Cry for help 35 “The Scream” artist 38 One in a cage 40 Drive erratically 41 Like the thing not to do 43 Zip 45 Org. with an elephant in its logo 46 Quip, part 3 50 “No more seats” letters 51 Cross shape 52 End of the quip 60 Small songbird 61 Customers 63 Not showing much life 64 Masseur’s selection 65 Project 66 New beginnings 67 Stout grain 68 Rip violently DOWN 1 USN rank 2 Sitar master Shankar 3 Gp. that includes Venezuela 4 Ridicule
5 Ed who was the longtime voice of Kraft Foods 6 FaceTime device 7 Needled? 8 Nissan model 9 Duke of Albany, to Lear 10 Subj. with many functions 11 Indigenous Japanese 12 Avoid a suddenly stopped car, say 13 End of a threat 18 Righteous Brothers hit, e.g. 21 Record, in a way 24 Squeezed 25 From now 26 Spot for a stud 27 Spring sound 28 River to the Severn 29 Saw 30 Relish 31 Flightless zoo bird 34 “Okey-doke!” 36 “M*A*S*H” set piece
37 Up-and-comers with egos 39 Catcher behind a plate? 42 Old Italian capital 44 Most supple 47 1-Down, for one 48 Profit 49 Water catcher 52 Enthusiastic 53 1492 caravel
54 Took from the deck 55 Gull-like bird 56 Pelvic bones 57 Spot for ten-spots 58 Fast-spreading Internet phenomenon 59 Nordegren who married Tiger Woods in 2004 62 Flight board abbr.
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
10/10/14
xwordeditor@aol.com
By Jeb Bennett ©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
Sudoku
By The Mepham Group
10/10/14
Level: 1 2 3 4
By The Mepham Group
Level: 1 2 3 4
Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle
Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle
10/19/14
Complete the grid so each row, column and
10/26/14
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders)
Opinion
A6
Thursday, October 9, 2014
ThePlainsman.com
Opinion
Our view
Are they leading by example? Topic: stolen newspapers lead to bigger problems
Viewpoint: There are unnecessary roadblocks for student media On Aug. 28, more than 1,000 copies of The Plainsman were stolen from bins across campus. The total cost of the stolen newspapers, including production fees and ads sales in both the game day tab and broadsheet newspaper was $1,660. The Plainsman filed a police report within hours of realizing the papers were stolen Aug. 28. The police started to view the tapes more than three weeks later Sept. 17. Student Conduct did not look into the matter until Sept. 30. What could have been handled within a couple weeks turned into an eight-week ordeal. The Auburn Police Division only investigated this matter after Maddie Yerant, managing editor, and myself, Becky Hardy, editor-in-chief, spoke with Randal Cerovsky, associate director of Public Safety and Security Services, if Public Safety had found any suspects yet. Cerovsky said the delay was because of miscommunication between the officer who took the police report and Public Safety. There was no immediate danger to any students in this incident, so I understand this may not have been the police’s first priority. However, the only reason the investigation took so long to get started was because of this miscommunication. It’s scary to think this kind of miscommunication could affect more serious student cases. Whether it’s because of one officer or the system as a whole, communication between the two needs work. The Plainsman filed a Freedom of Information Act request form to Public Safety and APD. Both denied our request to view security footage.
We also sent an appeal to Public Safety about their denial of our request, which was also denied. Even after the investigation was closed, we still were not able to view the stills. In no way did I think the police would hand over every piece of information during its investigation, but we continued to hit road blocks because of poor communication and limited access to certain information throughout the process. We started our own investigation and simply wanted to view the stills handed over to the police and Student Conduct. We did not intend to publish the stills. We could have helped identify those individuals in the stills because Maddie and I gave the police all of the suspects’ names after receiving an anonymous tip. Some people have questioned whether stealing free newspapers is even a crime. Although police did not deem it a crime in Alabama, other states, such as Maryland and Colorado, said newspaper theft is a crime on account of property theft and censorship. At the University of California Berkley in 2003, Mayor Tom Bates was found guilty of stealing more than 1,000 copies of the university’s newspapers because the newspaper printed an endorsement for his opponent. The Plainsman now includes a statement that additional copies cost 50 cents on the front page. Stealing large amounts of newspapers because someone did not like what was written is censorship. Colson Smith, SGA executive vice president, and Kohl Weir, SGA senator at large, said they stole the papers because they felt it unfairly portrayed their friend who worked on the transit initiative. Only after the police did not find stealing newspapers a crime, did Student Conduct step in. Student Conduct was allowed access to the stills. The only way The Plainsman could be invovled in the case was if we turned in the names ourselves. If we had not turned in the names, we could have been shut out of the entire process.
Colson smith apology I am writing this letter to apologize for any hurt I may have caused your organization on Aug. 28, 2014, by taking more copies of your newspaper than I intended to read. I cannot justify my actions, but I do feel that I owe you some kind of explanation. That morning, I was particularly disappointed in an article that minimized the work of one my good friends seemingly without regard to the months of thought and effort he had invested on behalf of Auburn students. In the subsequent decision, I neglected to put myself in the shoes of your editors and staff that work so hard to produce the paper for students to enjoy. While freely distributed, I recognize the paper to be a valuable campus resource. My decision was rash, immature and completely devoid of wisdom. The Bible says in Proverbs
charlotte kelly / graphics editor
Student Conduct allows the victims of the crime to set their own sanctions, rather than standardizing punishments. If the accused did not accept all the sanctions presented by the accusers, the case would have gone to trial, which could have taken several months to work out. Smith and Weir will pay off half of the monetary loss and write a formal apology. Student Conduct will also speak with Logan Powell, SGA president, personally to recommend the removal of Smith and Weir. Although $1,660 is a lot of money to lose, The Plainsman was more concerned about someone violating our First Amendment right; the right to free speech and freedom of the press. Smith and Weir said they did not act in the name of SGA, but stole them as a duty to their friend who they thought was unfairly criticized in our editorial, “SGA puts the brakes on security.” As members of SGA, both Smith and Weir represent this organization in whatever they do. SGA promotes what is best for the student body. Stealing newspapers to censor student media and depriving students of seeing certain angles of an issue is the opposite of acting in the best interests of the student body. It is in SGA’s best interest not to tolerate behavior such as this and let people know if they break the rules, there will be consequences. Smith and Weir could have written a Letter to
Smith I realize I have a responsibility as a student to represent Auburn at all times, and that I did not represent Auburn well on this day. I have learned an invaluable lesson about integrity and humility through this process. Again, I apologize to each and every person who may have been affected and ask for your forgiveness moving forward. Colson Smith is the executive vice president of programs for SGA. He can be reached at cts0011@auburn.edu.
Please allow me to apologize for my actions with respect to the Aug. 28 issue of The Plainsman. What I did was morally wrong, and I accept full responsibility for my offense against your organization. On Thursday, Aug. 28, I read your article regarding the work of one of my friends. I took it personally, and I let my emotions get the best of myself and my decision making. I realize now that this in no way served as an excuse for my reaction. The resulting behavior on that morning was impulsive, inappropriate, and immature. As I place myself in your shoes, I am fully aware of how tacky and disrespectful I must seem through this situation. My disservice to your ini-
Becky Hardy Editor-in-Chief
Corey Williams campus
Raye May Photo
Maddie Yerant Managing Editor
Ashtyne Cole community
Kris Sims multimedia
Jordan Hays Copy
Eric Wallace Sports
Charlotte Kelly Graphics
Cat Watson Online
megan barkdull Opinion
Kyle Nazario Intrigue
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.
No, they are free newspapers Vote online at ThePlainsman.com the Editor, which we would have published online and in the print edition. We also encourage anyone who doesn’t agree with our opinion to write a Letter to the Editor and so you may have your voice heard on a larger scale. Becky Hardy is the editor-in-chief of The Plainsman. She can be reached at editor@theplainsman.com.
Policy The opinions of The Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to these pages. 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.
tiatives, efforts and hard work has brought me great shame and embarrassment. What sickens me the most is the guilt I feel knowing that my poor behavior did not reflect the best interests of Auburn University. I can honestly say that I have grown up tremendously despite the mistakes I have made. Through consistency and diligence in prayer, the Lord has graced me with perspective and the humility that I deserve. I sincerely hope and firmly intend that my sanctions through the Student Conduct process can serve an appropriate penance for my trespasses. From this point on, I renounce my actions that day. I pray that your organization and anyone else I may
Weir have offended can find it in their hearts to forgive me. Hopefully, we can begin to put all this behind us and continue to work together for the betterment of Auburn. Kohl Weir is a senator at large for SGA. He can be reached at kaw0055@auburn.edu. Letters to the Editor regarding something written in The Plainsman can be sent to opinions@theplainsman. com.
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Editor-in-Chief - Becky Hardy
Managing Editor - Maddie Yerant
newsrOOm Campus editor - Corey williams reporter - Derek herscovici Reporter - Ben Ruffin writer - Brian stultz writer - nicole Fulkerson writer - patricia green writer- kris martins
COmmunity
Letters must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on Monday for publication.
Yes, it’s theft and censorship
The Auburn Plainsman
The Editorial Board
The Auburn Plainsman welcomes letters from students, as well as faculty, administrators, alumni and those not affiliated with the University.
Should Alabama change its policy on newspaper theft ?
kohl weir apology
11:14, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” By not seeking guidance from others and more importantly by not asking God for wisdom, I fell. After much reflection on this incident, I realize that this fall was in large part due to my pride. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” Although this has potential to be the most public example of times I’ve failed and fallen short, it is certainly not the only time. I hope it comes as no surprise that I am imperfect, but thankfully there is forgiveness for my imperfections. The Bible says in Romans 3:23-24, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Submissions
question of the week:
editor - ashtyne Cole reporter - nickolaus hines reporter - Jim little writer - kailey miller writer - rachel Davis
intrigue editor - kyle nazario Reporter - Kate Seckinger writer - grayson temple Writer - Lindsey Raygan writer - sarah robinson
spOrts editor - eric wallace asst. editor - kyle van Fechtmann reporter - David mckinney writer - pierce Quinn writer - andrew monson writer - Derek thompson writer- patrick lucas writer- C.J. holmes
aDvertising OpiniOn
Editor - Megan Barkdull
phOtO
editor - raye may Asst. Editor - Emily Enfinger Photographer - Sarah May Photographer - Kenny Moss Photographer - Charles Tatum
graphiCs anD Design
aD manager
gerritt keaton
aCCOunt eXeCutives Claire woodall sam Jackson
Designers
mallory glover alex lee
DistriButiOn
graphics editor - Charlotte kelly asst. graphics editor - shelby reister
austin haisten mitchell Dawson Derek land
Online
netwOrk manager
COpy Desk
alexis Brost Marisa Rodriguez Jamarius (stan) taylor elaina turley
editor - Cat watson associate - emily esleck associate - rachel sprouse editor - Jordan hays asst. editor - maria mcilwain associate - maya Ballard
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eDitOrial aDviser austin phillips (334) 844-9104 adviser@theplainsman.com
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OFFiCe manager kim rape (334) 844-4130 kelleka@auburn.edu
Community Thursday, October 23, 2014
A7 ThePlainsman.com
Community
campus
Architecture students host Annual Pumpkin Carve
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Kailey Miller
Community Writer
Many people can carve a pumpkin, but some people make it into art. Auburn’s chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students is hosting their 26th Annual Pumpkin Carve on Oct. 31, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. at Dudley Hall. The day will be full of activities for anyone from the community who wants to be involved. The event will begin with pumpkin carving at 9 a.m.T-shirts for the event will be sold for $20. Later, there will be a costume parade, and hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks will be served. The group has also organized a dessert cook-off. “Different members of our organization are just going to be bringing in different desserts, and we’re going to be voting on them to see which one is going to be the best,” said Sarah Wahlgren, co-planner of the event and senior in architecture. “We’re going to probably involve a cake walk as well.” Aubie will also be at the pumpkin carve. For participants who want to come to the later half of the event, food will be served again at 5 p.m., followed by another dessert cook-off. The pumpkin carving will end at approximately 6 p.m., when the pumpkins will be
Hands down, the coolest pumpkin I ever saw was someone made a pumpkin carriage like the one from Cinderella and carved horses out of another pumpkin.They made four individual horse that were carrying or dragging this pumpkin carriage behind it. It was really beautiful. ” —Sarah wahlgren Senior in architecture
lit. “We’ll illuminate all of the pumpkins,” said Saxon Gibbs, co-planner of the event and senior in architecture. “In years past, the designs have been amazing. Some of the pumpkins are actually breathtakingly designed.” The pumpkins will be judged by a few University professors. The winning pumpkins will be auctioned off, and the other carved pumpkins will go on sale for a minimum $5 donation.
The proceeds will go to the American Institute of Architecture Students. “Hands down, the coolest pumpkin I ever saw was someone made a pumpkin carriage like the one from Cinderella and carved horses out of another pumpkin,” Wahlgren said. “They made four individual horses that were carrying or dragging this pumpkin carriage behind it. It was beautiful.” Anyone can dress up, and there will be a children’s costume competition after the pumpkins are lit. Also included at the pumpkin carve will be a silent auction and carnival games.Halloween movies will be playing throughout the day. For anyone who’s ever wanted to throw something at a professor, there is a pie-aprofessor challenge. Ellise Gallagher, co-planner of the event and senior in architecture, said her favorite part of the event in the past was the chili cook-off. “A bunch of different people bring all these different types of chili,” Gallagher said. “We choose a winner, and they get a little award. It’s really nice to have all the different flavors of chili there.” Wahlgren said last year they raised more money than they ever have before. “I think we made upwards of about $2,000,” Wahlgren said.
businesses
Contributed by Sarah Wahlgren
The 26th Annual Pumpkin Carve will be held Oct. 31 at Dudley Hall.
Fundraising
Bars implement one in, one out policy Kailey Miller
Community Writer
On home game weekends, it’s not just Auburn students flooding the bars, but friends and family from home, along with fans from the opposing team. With the extra spirit pulsing through the campus, it can be tricky to get into the bars. The game against Louisiana Tech had fans going to the bars the lines spread way past the doorway both Friday and Saturday night. Moe’s Original Bar-B-Que and 17-16 were no exceptions. Ricky Carmack, general manager of Moe’s Original Bar-B-Que, said they are allowed to have 99 people inside and as many as they want on the back patio. “You have to stay at your occupancy,” Carmack said. “The fire marshal did come last weekend. You just have to hold people out until somebody comes out, so you pretty much just have to do one in, one out.” According to Carmack, the fire marshal will come in and count how many people are inside. If the bar is over-capacity they get an over capacity ticket, which is a misdemeanor and a fine. During the LSU game, Moe’s was far over capacity, they had to stop serving drinks until people left, according to Carmack. “Normally, once the game ends, people go out and roll Toomer’s, but with being such a late game and the blow-out, I feel like no one went to roll Toomer’s, so we just really had way too many people inside at that time,” Car-
mack said. “If you’re over, they literally can write you a ticket and shut you down for the remainder of the night, so being over is just not worth it because you could miss out on thousands [of people], versus upsetting a couple hundred that you don’t let in.” Brandon Sapp, general manager of 17-16, said they had to enforce one in, one out for the rest of the night after halftime of the LSU game. “We’ve been open for seven and a half years, so we’re pretty much well established to where we can handle situations like that,” Sapp said. “You just can’t get really nervous or anxious or anything like that.” The entire weekend is affected, not just the night of the game. Kimberlyn Webster, senior in social science education, went to Skybar Cafe on Friday after the LSU game. “It was absolutely insane, like packed, jam packed,” Webster said. “There was no cell phone service, so you couldn’t find anybody, and I ended up just leaving after an hour because I couldn’t find my friends.” Webster said she went at approximately 10:30 p.m. It took her 30 minutes to get into the bar, then she had to wait another 20 minutes in line before she could get a drink. The cover to get in was $10. Sapp said the best time to arrive before the crowds at the bar is before the game or during the game. As far as future home games, Sapp said he thinks South Carolina and Texas A&M weekends won’t be as crowded.
Emily Enfinger / assistant photo editor
Patron said it took more than 30 minutes to get into the bar and 20 minutes to get a drink.
city council
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Raye may / photo editor
Bruce Pearl’s Fore the Children Golf Tournament will take place Oct. 27 at Willow Point Golf Course.
Bruce Pearl hosts charity golf tournament Rachel King
Community Writer
Bruce Pearl, men’s basketball head coach, has partnered with Children’s Harbor to host Fore the Children Golf Tournament. The event will take place Oct. 27 at Willow Point Golf Course and Country Club in Alexander City. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Children’s Harbor is a non-profit dedicated to supporting children with serious illnesses. Fore the Children Golf Tournament is held completely through sponsorship. The Children’s Harbor facilities are maintained through donations and by patrons, such as Pearl. “My wife Brandy and I are excited about starting a new partnership with Children’s Harbor,” Pearl said in a press statement. “It is my hope that our Fore the Children Golf Tournament can help ease the burdens of many families in need.” Children’s Harbor has two locations: Lake Martin and the Family Center of Benjamin Russell Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. Children’s Harbor at Lake
Martin provides 66 acres of campgrounds at no cost to the families. More than 5,000 campers with illnesses, such as cancer, spina bifida, autism and those who have gone through transplants have visited the lake campus. In Birmingham, children are able to take part in counseling services, education and tutoring sessions, scheduled activities, enjoy an exercise room, library, salon and game room for free. Myrle Grate, chief operating officer for Children’s Harbor, oversees the operation and staffing of both the Birmingham and lake campuses. As a former pastor, he has the opportunity to help people through the news that their child is sick. It turns a family’s life upside-down and relieves the pressures of illness, Grate said. “A mom had three boys who were born with autism,” Grate said. “After visiting one of our specialized camps for autistic children, the mother approached our staff, and with tears in her eyes said our camp was the only place she felt her children were welcome.”
Grate said one of the things that inspired him was Pearl’s dedication to the project. He does not try to use his celebrity to get his players free things, instead he uses it to gain support for the program, Grate said. Jay Jacobs, Auburn athletic director, said seeing Auburn athletic coaches involved in non-profit work is something he loves Auburn staff to be a part of. “Bruce is a passionate and caring man, and Children’s Harbor could not have a better advocate for their great cause,” Jacobs said. “I am always excited to see our coaches get involved with community service, and Children’s Harbor is a terrific organization.” Sunday, Oct. 26, Pearl is also hosting a dinner and auction at his home to benefit Children’s Harbor. To participate in the game there is a $5,000 buy-in and $10,000 for sponsorship of the event. Anyone interested should contact Chad Prewett in the Auburn athletic offices at cgp0011@auburn.edu or call 334-844-9760.
Council announces city saved $2 million in bond debt at last meeting of term Jim Little
Community Reporter
A savings of more than $2 million in bond debt for the city of Auburn was approved by the Auburn City Council with a bond refinancing deal during the last meeting of the term Tuesday, Oct. 21. Four council members—Arthur Dowdell, Robin Kelley, Bob Norman and Tom Worden—will be leaving the City Council when the newly elected members are sworn in Nov.
3. In one of their last acts, the council unanimously approved the bond deal with The Frazer Lanier Company Inc., an investment banking firm. Not all council members were happy to be leaving. “Let the record show that Ward 1 is still on [going] with the election contest,” Dowdell said at the end of the meeting. Dowdell contested the election, claiming Clemon Byrd isn’t a resident of the ward. Byrd won the Aug. 26 elec-
I accept this (commendation), but I know I’m the only legitimate City councilman in Ward 1.” —Arthur Dowdell
Former City COuncilman
tion with a vote count of 246 to 147. Larry Taylor, Dowdell’s brother, has a lawsuit pending against Byrd, but it was filed
late, according to court documents. Judge Jacob A. Walker has given lawyers in the case until Oct. 27 to file briefs on if the lawsuit should proceed.
Dowdell also said he was pursuing other avenues to contest the election. “The FBI met with me,” Dowdell said. “I presented all of our evidence to the FBI, and he said he was going to present this case to the Attorney General because he felt it was warranted.” Mayor Bill Ham presented a commendation to the outgoing council members recognizing their service to the city. “I accept (the commenda-
tion), but I know I’m the only legitimate city councilman in Ward 1,” Dowdell said after the meeting. Other items discussed at the council meeting: • Approved a liquor license for a new restaurant called Duval’s located at 675 Opelika Road • Approved the purchase of 14 new vehicles for city departments, including one $99,000 garbage truck; the total cost for the vehicles was $531,701.36.
Community A8
The Auburn Plainsman
AUBURN’S PROFESSIONAL VETERINARY FRATERNITY
OMEGA TAU SIGMA’S
Paws for A Cause
Charity Dog Walk benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Fund
Friday, October 24 th Kiesel Dog Park in Auburn, AL $20 Registration ($10 with Student ID)
4:30 pm Registration begins 5:00 pm begins
Dog walk
First 100 registered receive a free gift Dog wash & refreshments available on site
gift basket and prizes sponsored by: Hill’s Science Diet Pet Food, Dechra Pet Care, Auburn Student Chapter of the Veterinary Medical Association, Purina Pet Food Search for OTS Paws for A Cause on Facebook
100% of the funds raised will be donated INSIDE TODAY’S
Plainsman
USC GAME DAY
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Local hauntings
Native American burial ground causes misfortune Nickolaus Hines Community Writer
Following the trail through the woods and over two hills past the grave of Penn Yonge, the ghost who allegedly haunts Spring Villa Mansion, Faith Serafin and her team of paranormal investigators walked onto an ancient Native American gravesite. They came armed with a collection of ancient Muscogee Native American words found in old history books. The Muscogee-Creek language has been nearly lost in the years following the tribe’s removal during the Trail of Tears. An estimated 5,000 people speak the language today, largely in the Muscogee Creek Nation in Oklahoma. Speaking these words, Serafin said she believes, invoked a string of bad luck on her and her team after they left the gravesite. The nearby lime and quartz quarries that built Yonge’s fortune in the 1850s are visable in the area. Small shards of quartz crystal can still be found scattered across the ground, shimmering in the sunlight. Minerals, especially lime, quartz and granite, store and release energy from the area, Serafin said. Concentrations of quartz are used in electronics to store energy, and one of Serafin’s theories is this same quality can store the energy of spirits. “One theory is an environmental one,” Serafin said. “If a spirit’s energy is contained in that quartz, naturally, it explains why all those things are happening there.” While walking towards the gravesite, Serafin and her team stumbled upon a stone in the terrain that Serafin estimates is 20 feet by 20 feet. “Up there, it was almost like a vortex,” Serafin said. “No sounds, no wind, no nighttime sound of chirping crickets or anything. But the minute we came off of it, it would just go back to normal and we could hear everything.” After spending approximately 20 minutes trying to learn why the sound had ceased when standing on the stone, the team continued toward the gravesite. The team used trigger words and asked questions in the Muscogee language while recording with their high-tech equipment. There were voices in a language they didn’t understand. They walked back, past the mysteriously quiet stone, and headed
Emily Enfinger / assistant photo editor
The trail through the woods leads to an ancient Native American gravesite.
home. Then, “All hell broke lose,” Serafin said. One investigator had legal trouble that was dropped, but the fees to resolve the issue financially drained her. Another investigator’s house burned down. Another went missing for two weeks. A fourth, who was a soldier, was killed in action within a month. Serafin’s daughter, who has health issues and problems overcoming disease, was hospitalized for a couple weeks after the Serafin household contracted a virus. “So we don’t go back up there,” Serafin said. “Not understanding cultures and languages, even though we had these books, we were just saying things like ‘Do you
like cake?’ ‘What are cows?’ and ‘What is your name?’ Things like that. But we don’t know to what degree we might have violated something sacred up there.” Serafin relates negative energy and seemingly malicious warnings with forceful energies doing everything they can to keep people out of their area. Despite her experience at the Native American gravesite, Serafin said she has not had a really bad experience. “As far as really bad, like demonic possessions or things like that, I’ve been investigating for about 25 years and have never had a case, not one all over the Southeast, bad enough where I felt I needed to contact the Vatican and tell them to come down here,” Serafin said.
Sports
A9
Thursday, October 23, 2014
scoreboard
ThePlainsman.com
Sports
In the family
Opinion
cheerleading
Soccer (8-5-3, 2-3-3)
LAST WEEK Loss at Texas A&M, 3-1 Win at Arkansas, 2-1 (2OT) THIS WEEK Oct. 23 vs. Mississippi State, 6 p.m. Oct. 26 vs. Alabama, 3 p.m.
Volleyball (9-11, 1-6) Raye May / photo editor
Carr (above) stands in front of Jordan-Hare Stadium. He is the son of a former Auburn All-American linebacker and a Tiger cheerleader. Charlotte kelly / graphics editor
Auburn’s men’s sports, such as basketball and baseball, consistently outdraw women’s sports.
Leveling the playing field LAST WEEK Loss at Missouri, 3-0 Loss at No. 13 Kentucky, 3-0 Loss vs. Ole Miss, 3-1
Derek Thompson Sports@theplainsman. com
THIS WEEK Oct. 22 vs. Alabama, 8 p.m.
Match on ESPNU
Swimming and diving
RECENT - Oct. 18 Win vs. Notre Dame 192-102 Win vs. Vanderbilt 201-75 UPCOMING - Nov. 1 Alabama and LSU
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Cross Country
RECENT (Men’s / Women’s) Oct. 17 Crimson Classic 2nd / 3rd
Tuscaloosa, Alabama UPCOMING - Oct. 31 SEC Cross Country Championships
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Three women of France’s national soccer team posed nude in a German tabloid newspaper for a campaign to promote women’s soccer in Europe in 2009. The women who participated in the campaign thought if they exposed themselves, it would make more people come watch them. Sex appeal is one of many techniques used in the mission to bring more attention to women’s sports, but viewership has still remained significantly lower than men’s sports. Look at Auburn athletics. The men’s basketball team averaged 5,823 fans through 18 home games last season, while women’s basketball averaged 2,250 through 16 games at home. The baseball team averaged 3,161 fans at home games last year, more than five times as many fans as softball averaged. Ask the first person you see on campus who won the Auburn football game. Not only will they most likely know, but they can probably tell you the score. Chances are they went to the game or watched it on television. Chances of receiving an answer are low if you ask that same person what the outcome was of any of Auburn’s women’s sports. Why are women’s sports less popular than men’s? Some people say it is because men are stronger and faster, which makes them more entertaining to watch. That is not what matters to all sports fans, though. While there are fans stuck on the fact that female athletes are not as fast, strong or physical as their male counterparts, other viewers want to watch sports at the highest professional standard, whether it is men or women in competition. Sponsors and media also want to be associated with the best athletes, male or female. If there were more sponsorship and media coverage for women’s sports, they would be more popular. So the real question is: Do women’s sports need more media coverage and sponsorship to be competitive with men’s sports? The answer is yes. Women in sports work just as hard as men do. They deserve the same attention.
“
Patrick Lucas Sports Writer
Without the same coverage and sponsorship as men’s sports, women’s sports do not have the same fan experience or popularity.” —Derek Thompson sports writer
Basketball is the most-covered collegiate women’s sport, according to a 2012 USA Today article. It is still difficult to find a game being broadcast in the regular season, though. The University of Connecticut has an impressive basketball program, and it is the women’s program that has excelled. Huskies women’s basketball has produced five championships and a higher overall winning percentage than the men’s team. Regardless of the program’s success, the men’s program continues to draw more attention from media, sponsors and fans. While sports fans are still building an appreciation for them, female athletes and sports organizations are suffering. Without the same coverage and sponsorship as men’s sports, women’s sports do not have the same fan experience or popularity. The media and sponsors argue if women’s sports attracted more interest in the first place, they would invest more time and money into coverage and sponsorship. A balance of consumers, media and sponsors is what women’s sports need to be as successful as men’s. People are currently more fascinated by male-dominant sports. A big part of their popularity is the attention they receive from media and sponsors. Women’s sports need to receive the same attention before we can see a change in their popularity. It is a vicious cycle. Sponsors and media want to be associated with the best athletes, while viewers want to watch sports at the highest professional standard. We need more women on television, in the newspaper and in the news to encourage the next generation of great female athletes. Derek Thompson is a sports writer for The Plainsman. He can be contacted at sports@theplainsman.com
Equestrian (1-1, 0-1)
Cheerleader builds a family tradition while on the Plains Generations of families have made Auburn University the home of many traditions. There are several students whose grandparents, parents and siblings have walked the same campus years before them. It’s something senior cheerleader Evans Carr has known for some time. Evans’ father, Gregg Carr, was an All-American linebacker for the Tigers in 1984, and his mother, Juli Ann Carr, was a cheerleader at Auburn during the same time. The Carr family has been present at Auburn home football games for as long as Evans can remember, so, according to Evans, it’s only natural he would find himself a student there 30 years after his parents. Despite his family’s strong ties to the University, Evans said he didn’t feel any pressure to attend his parents’ alma mater. “They just wanted me to go where I wanted, but naturally, this is the place I’ve been coming to, and it’s the place where I thought I fit,” Evans said. “It’s a place I feel comfortable.” Evans said he remembers coming for football games, and, although he grew up playing football, he knew that he had other interests. “When I was younger, (cheerleading) was something that crossed my mind,” Evans said. “I mean, I enjoyed football, but I knew it wasn’t my passion. I’m not saying that cheerleading is my passion, but it’s definitely something I’m more passionate about.” Evans said one of the best parts of being a cheerleader is the connection it formed between himself and his mother. “It’s something that I can share with my mom that no one else can ever have in my family,” Evans said. “My dad
knows about it, but he doesn’t understand, my brother doesn’t understand and my sisters don’t understand. My mother and I are the only two that know what it’s like.” When asked about whether she wishes it could be her running onto the field Saturdays instead of her son, Juli said she’s more than happy to watch her son experience it for himself. “There’s no jealousy,” Juli said. “I had my day and have awesome memories. The only thing better than that is knowing that Evans is having the time of his life, contributing and making great memories too.” As much as Evans enjoys cheering, he said it’s the people who make it as much fun as it is. “You know, I enjoy cheerleading for the sport part of it, but it’s the friends,” Evans said. “All the people are awesome, and you get know all of them on a very personal level.” In addition to a busy cheering schedule, Evans is majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in business. He said his interest in both subjects makes it manageable. “I’m definitely enthusiastic about engineering,” Evans said. “It’s something that I’ve known I really want to do.” Evans’ father, Gregg, was also an engineering major. Gregg then played in the NFL and became an orthopedic surgeon. “To major in engineering and do any kind of extracurricular activity that takes the kind of time commitment that cheerleading does, really, it tells that you’re focused and have good time management skills,” Gregg said. Auburn is a big part of the Carr household, but the football field is only a fraction of why Evans and his family keep coming back.
Men’s basketball
Pearl: ‘We haven’t won anything yet’ David McKinney Sports Reporter
RECENT Loss vs. South Carolina 10-9 UPCOMING
Texas A&M Auburn, Alabama Nov. 7, 3 p.m.
Raye May/ photo editor
Head coach Bruce Pearl has been “generally surprised” by his team, despite not feeling pleased after practice.
Men’s basketball head coach Bruce Pearl can’t decide what he thinks of his new team. “What has been happening pretty consistently, and I’m really not sure why, I go to practice, and I’m generally not pleased,” Pearl said. “Then I go back and watch the tape, and I’m generally surprised. It was a little better than I thought. I don’t know what that means.” So far, it’s been all fun and no games for Pearl and the Tigers. “I’m enjoying going to practice every day, and that’s a really good
sign,” Pearl said. “We haven’t had a terrific amount of adversity. Obviously, we’re still undefeated. We don’t know what it feels like to lose.” As for the team, Pearl said that right now, Sophomore guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen is the best player the Tigers have to offer. “I love to watch film, and I love to grade film,” Pearl said. “Pretty consistently, Tahj Shamsid-Deen has graded out as our best player. I told the team that right now he’s our best player as far as how he’s performing.” Shamsid-Deen said he appre-
ciated Pearl’s comments, but also knows this is just the pre-season. “It feels good,” Shamsid-Deen said. “It’s just practice and there has only been a couple scrimmages, so I know I’ll have to prove myself when the season actually does come around.” Pearl and the team have been having a good time practicing since his arrival, but without a successful season, it’ll be for naught. “I’m only going to be having fun if we win,” Pearl said. “I’m not going to be having any fun if we don’t win, and we haven’t won anything yet.”
Sports A10
Thursday, October 23, 2014
The Auburn Plainsman
Wade Rackley and Zach bland / Auburn Athletics
Matt Gilchrest (left) led the Tigers with a 2-under in the US Collegiate. Lukas Ollert (right) had a winning weekend at the ITA Southern Region Championships winning the singles championships and finishing runner-up in doubles.
This Week in Auburn Sports Men’s Tennis
Auburn senior Lukas Ollert is the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southern Region men’s tennis champion, wrapping up five days of action at the Yarbrough Tennis Center with his victory Monday, Oct. 20. The top-seeded Ollert defeated his Tiger teammate Max Hinnisdaels 6-4, 6-4 in the morning singles final. “It’s way harder playing a teammate in a championship like this,” Ollert said. “Anyone at this level would mean you are facing an excellent player, but in Max, it’s a hard challenge. He’s a good player, and we know how the other plays. It was a different challenge playing against my teammate.” Ollert and junior Marko Krickovic finished as the regional runners-up in doubles, dropping a close-fought match 7-6, 5-7; 1-0 (8) to secondseeded Florian Lakat and Julian Cash of Mississippi State on Monday, Oct. 20. The singles and doubles regional champions are guaranteed a spot in the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships. The Intercollegiate Championships will be held Nov. 6-9, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
Men’s Golf
The No. 8 Auburn men’s golf team finished sixth with a final round 2-under 286 for a 3-under 286-289-286—861 total, a shot behind No. 5 UCLA in the US Collegiate at the Golf Club of Georgia Lake Side Course on Sunday. Ten of the 15 teams were ranked in the top 25. Sophomore Matt Gilchrest led the Tigers tying for 17th with a 2-under 214 with a final round 72 while junior Michael Johnson (71-218) and sophomore Will Long (77-218) tied for 32nd. Senior Dan Stringfellow tied for 39th at 74-219, a shot ahead of freshman Matthew Perrine, who tied for 46th with a 69-220. No. 9 Texas (277-843) edged out No. 25 Virginia (277-844) by a stroke at 21-under par. No. 11 LSU (282-857) was third followed by No. 13 Wake Forest (286-858), No. 5 UCLA (279-860), No. 8 Auburn (286-861), No. 15 Georgia Tech (281-862), No. 20 Washington 282-862), Texas A&M (293-863) and Clemson (284-868). Iowa (289-869) finished 11th ahead of No. 24 East Tennessee State (297-875), No. 6 Stanford (300-876), Oklahoma State (304-880) and Kent State (292-892). University of Virginia’s Derek Bard fired a final round 8-under 64 to claim medalist honors at 15-under 201.
DR. LEON BOTSTEIN, PRESIDENT OF BARD COLLEGE Speech and Action: The Arts, the Humanities, and Technology in American Political Life
Soccer
seven saves were not enough to keep the Tigers in the game. The Tigers bounced back against Arkansas, keeping them in the hunt for their 13th-straight conference tournament appearance. Two minutes into the game, the Razorbacks opened the scoring, as Tyler Allen scored from five yards out. In the second half, Alex Massey tied it up for Auburn with her first goal of the season. The two teams then headed into overtime, where the first period ended scoreless, and it looked as if the Tigers were headed for another tie. Junior Haley Gerken sealed it for Auburn, scoring from a volley 30 yards out, floating the ball over the keeper who had come off of her line early. Auburn moves to 8-5-3 overall and 2-3-3 in conference play. The Tigers play in their final home stand this weekend, starting Thursday, Oct. 23, against Mississippi State at 6 p.m. and finishing against Alabama Sunday, Oct. 26.
Auburn soccer lost 3-1 Friday, Oct. 17, at No. 8 Texas A&M, but answered with a 2-1 win over Arkansas on Sunday, Oct. 19, in double overtime. Though they played well in the second half against A&M, the Tigers fell into a hole in the first half that was too much to overcome, as the Aggies scored the opening three goals of the match. The first goal came in the 18th minute from a throw-in that deflected off the crossbar and fell to A&M’s Annie Kunz for her fourth goal of the season. Nine minutes later, the Auburn defense was unable to clear an errant shot from Bianca Brinson, allowing the ball to find its way into the corner of the net. The Tigers’ final blow came in the 35th minute, as an Aggie free kick was chipped into the box and headed in by Janae Cousineau for her third goal of the season. Brooke Ramsier was able to convert a penalty kick in the 41st minute for the Tigers for her team-leading fourth goal of the season, but Auburn struggled to create many offensive opportunities afterward. Auburn was out-shot 20-9, and Alyse Scott’s
Compiled by Eric Wallace and Andrew Monson
Senior Airman
RYAN HOLLEY HOURS SPENT FIGHTING CYBER TERROR:
91
Monday, Oct. 27, at 5:00 p.m. Refreshments to follow Free and open to the public The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center Auditorium 241 South College Street
72
This lecture will explore the shape of our public space and the influence of technology in relationship to how we think about practice, scholarship, and teaching in the arts and humanities. Leon Botstein has been the president of Bard College since 1975, where he is also the Leon Levy Professor in the Arts and Humanities. Botstein has also been music director of the American Symphony Orchestra since 1992. Dr. Botstein’s accomplishments at Bard College speak to his long time advocacy for the reform of education and the right of disadvantaged populations to its access.
month
HOURS PER MONTH SPENT AT PRACTICE
21
HOURS PER MONTH SPENT STUDYING
HOURS SPENT WORRYING ABOUT COLLEGE TUITION:
0
Contact us to learn how part-time service in the Air National Guard can help you pay for college.
Visit www.clacelebrates.com for more information on the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University Arts and Humanities Month October 1–31, 2014. 14236 ANG AL College Newspaper Ad for Auburn University Plainsman 4.88x10.indd 1
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Thursday, October 23, 2014
The Auburn Plainsman
Sports A11
Intrigue
A12
Thursday, October 23, 2014
ThePlainsman.com
Intrigue
engineering
Building the electric car of the future
Kyle Nazario Intrigue Editor
The way Calvin Wagner tells it, cars of the future won’t run primarily on gas. They’ll mostly be hybrids or entirely electric. Wagner, senior in electrical engineering, is captain of Auburn’s Formula Society of Automotive Engineers Electric Car Team. The Formula SAE Electric Team is 20 students, mostly engineers, who are building Auburn’s first student-made electric drag racing car. The program is one of two in the SEC, according to Peter Jones, War Eagle Motor Sports professor. The club began with preliminary meetings in December 2013. David Sweet, team member and senior in mechanical engineering, said the first official meeting was not until January. The 2014-15 school year will be the club’s first time working on a car. Wagner said he was drawn to the Formula Electric team because of training sessions he received while working as a Ford mechanic warning him about the danger of working with electric vehicles. “They gave us all these danger sessions, like, ‘This will kill you, do not touch the orange wires while it’s live,’” Wanger said. “I thought, ‘That sounds cool. I like that.’”
Working with electric cars poses challenges compared to conventional motor vehicles, the most dangerous being the current that powers the engine. “You will die if you mess up with these batteries,” Wagner said. However, electric-powered engines offer advantages over their gas-powered counterparts. Where a combustion engine might take a small amount of time to accelerate to a set speed, electric engines can reach that level even quicker, Wagner said, citing different amounts of torque. This quality is vital in a drag racer. Wagner said the team doesn’t worry as much about their car’s top speed as much as its ability to accelerate as quickly as possible. Wagner also said the team plans to build its car by spring for the 2015 Formula SAE Electric race in Lincoln, Nebraska. For their first car, Auburn’s Formula Electric team is focusing on gathering sponsors and designing a working car. “Our whole premise for the first year is simplicity,” Wagner said. “No bullcrap, no fancy stuff, just a simple car that passes technical inspection [at the Lincoln race].” Stuart Coats, chief chassis engineer and sophomore in mechanical engineering, said the project has gone well so far, with only a few issues.
“A lot of challenges are issues with lack of knowledge,” Coats said. “We’re a newer team, so we don’t have that much knowledge. The way we’ve gotten past those is by asking our neighbors in the shop, our sister team, [Formula SAE] combustion. They’ve been very, very helpful to us.” Coats said the Formula Electric Team’s biggest issues stem from its new status. The team had to order its own tools and engine parts from all over the world in order to start building the car. Race car-quality tools and engine parts are expensive. Sweet said the Formula Electric team is looking for sponsors to fund its project. “The car in total each year is estimated around $60,000,” Sweet said. “We’re trying to keep it simple this year, but because we have to build up our own infrastructure — tools, toolbox, all the other power supplies that are a big deal — it’s gonna cost us around $60,000 to 80,000 for this first year, maybe even more.” Despite the challenges, Sweet said he enjoys his work on the Formula Electric team. “I’ve always had an interest in vehicles,” Sweet said. “The electric vehicle market has grown a lot in the previous years, and I think it will only continue to do so. (Working on the car) is exciting and it’s practical.”
contributed by calvin wagner
The team has made virtual renders of their design. Team captain Calvin Wagner said they hope to have a rolling chassis by November.
raye may / photo editor
Chief chassis engineer Stuart Coats welds a piece of metal piping. Bending the pipes is Coats’ least favorite part of building the car.
agriculture
Students get down and dirty for soil judging competition Kate Seckinger Intrigue Reporter
contributed by joey shaw
raye may / photo editor
Formula SAE Electric shares a garage with the Combustion team.
Soil is never just dirt, and the Soil Judging Team will be the first to vouch for that. Last week, the team sent seven students to the regional soil judging competition in Clemson, South Carolina, Oct. 9. After three days of practice judging and a day of serious competing, Auburn was declared the regional champion out of 12 universities. Jenna Platt, senior in crop soil and environmental sciences, placed sixth out of 76 students competing in the region. “Soil judging is exciting,” Platt said. “It’s made my college experience infinitely better, and the field work is really fun. I spend time with my professors and classmates actually doing field science and get to apply what I’ve learned.” Platt said learning to classify soil can be life-changing, even if it doesn’t play a role in future career plans. “Everything interacts with the soil, from the building you’re in to the road you’re driving on,” Platt said. “Some is better for farming and others for building. Soil affects everyone in some way, and soils are an integral part of understanding nature and the environment.” Platt said she and her teammates meet as a class once per week, and spend several hours studying different soil concepts to prepare for regionals. A different university hosts the regional contest each year, which gives the team new soil to classify at each competition, most of which they’ve never seen before. “We get three days to practice judging the soil at regionals,” Platt said. “All of a sudden, there’s added concepts you have to learn because you’re in a foreign place handling foreign soil. It can be nerve wracking, but that’s what those three days are for. You practice to understand what you’re dealing with.” This year, the team won its second regional championship in the last four years. The top five teams in the region head to nationals, which will be held at the University of Arkansas in the spring.
“
Soil judging is exciting. It’s made my college experience infinitely better.” —Jenna Platt
senior in crop soil and environmental sciences
As a senior, Platt said she’s excited to compete in her last nationals contest and give it her all alongside the team. Kristen Pegues, senior in crop soil and environmental sciences, placed third out of 76 participants at the regional competition. Pegues said she was ecstatic to place in the top 10, but even with the success, there’s nothing like the relationships she’s made through the Soil Judging Team. “We’re with each other throughout the week, and then at competitions we’re with each other all day long for almost a week,” Pegues said. “When you’re working together like that, you form this special bond.” Pegues said she knows the relationships strengthen how the team performs in the field. “Soil judging with teammates that are also my close friends allows for less stress,” Pegues said. Pegues said being part of the team has made her confident she’s in the right field. “The team has allowed me to be out in the field, see it firsthand, touch it and feel it,” Pegues said. “Most of the time we have our noses in textbooks, but this has been a great way to be out doing it — not just reading about it in theory.” The team is taking a break for the remainder of the semester, but will reconvene in January to prepare for nationals in the spring. “I still can’t believe we’re champions, and while we feel good about our success, our work is far from over,” Pegues said. “We beat the other four schools in our region that are going to nationals once, but now there’s a clean slate. They’ll step it up, and that’s extra pressure on us and Dr. Shaw, our coach, to do the same.”
contributed by joey shaw
The team has three days to learn the local soil during contests.
contributed by joey shaw
Kristen Pegues records data as Abigail Johnston, sophomore in agronomy and soils production, tests the soil.
Joey Shaw, professor of soil science, has been leading the Soil Judging Team for 17 years. Shaw said while he’s been there to guide them, the students worked hard on their own merit. “I wasn’t surprised when we got champions because the students worked for it,” Shaw said. Shaw said Auburn has a long tradition of soil judging and has been a leader in the science for more than 50 years. Most participants are crop soil majors, but the team is open to all students.
“We welcome any student that wants to be involved,” Shaw said. “While it’s not common to get students from other departments, we’ll teach them everything they need to know because soil is critical to every facet of life.” Shaw said teaching soil judging to students of all ages is vital for the future. “Soil is our most precious natural resource, and we need to be stewards of the land,” Shaw said. “Soils transcend all land uses, and I believe as a team, we understand that.”
Thursday, October 23, 2014
film
‘Hedda Gabler’ lead leaves school to act, star in Syfy original movie ‘Cobragator’ Kate Seckinger Intrigue Reporter
Intrigue A13
The Auburn Plainsman
From the time she was a little girl, Savannah Goldsmith loved to sing. She would ride in the car with her mother singing “Amazing Grace” and let the lyrics play across her lips with a smile. Years later, the lyrics hold a deeper meaning as she sings and acts on stage. The words have become encouragement as Goldsmith, former sophomore in musical theatre, arrived at Auburn and took the theatre department by storm. As a freshman, she snagged the lead role in the fall production of the literary classic “Hedda Gabler” – her first show with the University. Goldsmith took her final bow as Hedda Gabler on Friday, Oct. 3, and one week later, packed up her dorm room and walked as a student on Auburn’s campus for the last time. Oct. 10 was Goldsmith’s last day enrolled as a musical theatre major. With the support of her family, friends and talent agent, she left to pursue her acting career – but not in musical theatre. “I love theatre, and I’ve done it for many years, but now that I’ve majored in it, I realize that film acting is where I want to be,” Goldsmith said. “I’d also like to record a music album, but being in films is what I’d love to do.” At 19 years old, Goldsmith already has her foot in the door of the film industry. In the past few years, she was an extra in
TV shows such as “Devious Maids,” and “Necessary Roughness,” and films, such as “The Watch,” but this summer, her career took a promising step forward. In June, Goldsmith starred as the female lead in “Cobragator,” a horror sci-fi movie set to air on Syfy in January. In “Cobragator,” Goldsmith plays Aubrey, a member of a punk rock band who goes to a swamp to film a music video and encounters a genetically mutated reptile – the cobragator. “Reservoir Dogs” star Michael Madsen was also part of the sci-fi action and worked with Goldsmith throughout the film. After “Cobragator” was complete, several talent agencies reached out to Goldsmith and asked her to participate in some movies and film projects. “Once these agencies began contacting me, I figured this would be a good time for me to go to Atlanta for a few years and see what can become of it,” Goldsmith said. “I want to try and build my résumé and see if I can move to L.A. from there.” After “Cobragator,” Goldsmith said she really caught the fever to be on screen. “It was the best experience of my life,” Goldsmith said. “I know without a doubt it’s what I want to do.” Within the next few weeks, Goldsmith will film commercials to be aired in the Southeast and audition for roles in several films. Goldsmith said she’s happy to finally be doing what she loves. “I’ve always struggled being happy with myself from a really young age,” Goldsmith said. “Acting gives me a way to be somebody else for a little while and not have to think about me and my life.” Goldsmith said her talent agent, Donna Hovey, owner of Rare Quality Models and Talent, has opened many doors for her and helped her career take off. Hovey said she only submits Goldsmith’s résumé, and the actresses’ hard work and talent does the rest. “I expect her to be well on her way to a successful acting career in three years because she works for it,” Hovey said. “She has this star quality – this rare talent you just can’t teach.” Hovey said she felt Goldsmith’s talent when she met her when she was 14. Hovey has represented Goldsmith ever since. “I love Donna because her agency is smaller, and she’s very personable,” Goldraye may / photo editor
smith said. “She came on set when I was filming ‘Cobragator,’ and even talked to the director. The best part is, she shares my Christian faith and understands my morals.” Goldsmith said while she’d be part of a non-Christian agency, she plans to hold strong to her conservative beliefs in a liberal industry. “It’s getting harder and harder to keep the bad out,” Hovey said. “But even so, there’s enough out there that we’ll be able to skip the projects that wouldn’t work for us and still make it work.” When Hovey heard her client was dropping out of school, she said she thought it was for the best. “It will make her more available for auditions, and at this point, that’s what matters,” Hovey said. “She’s going with her gut, and that’s what’s important. Ultimately, this was Savannah’s decision, and because it’s in her heart, that’s what’s going to make it work.” A few days after dropping out, Goldsmith said there’s not a doubt in her mind she made the right choice. “I’m so relieved to be gone,” Goldsmith said. “I definitely made the right decision because I’m ready to go head-first into my dream.” While many parents would balk at their child dropping out to follow an acting career, Goldsmith’s mother, Kelli Hunt, has been nothing but supportive. “I support her decision 100 percent,” Hunt said without pause. “You have to get out there while you’re in your prime. You have your whole life to go back to school if you need to. I just want her to get out there and make a go of it.” Like Hovey, Hunt said her daughter has the drive and talent to make a living from her passions of acting and singing. “Savannah played the Wicked Witch in a fifth grade play ‘The Road to Oz,’ and I knew it was her calling ever since,” Hunt said. “When she hits the stage, she just becomes someone else, and I know it’s what she’s meant to do. That’s why I want her to be happy and follow her heart.” Hovey said she’s confident Goldsmith has the support and talent she needs to make it, and advises those who share her dreams to follow a similar path. “You just have to go for it,” Hovey said. “This is Savannah’s gift. You have to find out if this is yours. You have to follow your dreams no matter how crazy or angry it makes your parents.” Goldsmith said she’s overjoyed with how far things are looking up for her future. “I’m so excited about this new chapter in my life,” Goldsmith said. “I can’t wait to see where it’s going to take me. Fame would be great, but as long as I’m happy and doing what I love, that’s all I can ask for.”
contributed by savannah goldsmith
LEFT TO RIGHT: Aaron Groben, Lauren Parkinson Kruze, Savannah Goldsmith and Grace Caroline film ‘Cobragator’ in Florida.
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Pope’s Haunted Farm FEATURING FOUR EVENTS
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Plainsman
Zombie Paintball Safari
Haunted hAyride hAuNtEd BaRn HaUnT ed Forest
House United Building Project Dec. 14-18, 2014, Tuscaloosa, AL
Applications now being accepted! Volunteers from the University of Alabama will team up with volunteers from Auburn University to build a house. Limited number of spaces remaining. For additional information and application visit, www.auburn.edu/houseunited or contact Joyce Thomas-Vinson, thomaj5@auburn.edu, (334)844-5117.
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Intrigue A14
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, October 23, 2014
the plainsman picks playlist: this week, the plainsman editors chose their favorite
creepy songs to prepare for halloween. to listen to their picks, follow the auburn plainsman at spotify.com.
“I FINK U FREAKY” by die antwoord kyle nazario, intrigue editor
“watch the video. i dare you.”
“LETTER HOME” by childish gambino kris sims, multimedia editor
“this is one of the creepiest songs because random love letters are creepy.”
“HAPPY TOGETHER” by filter maddie yerant, managing editor
“filter’s take on the original spins a classic into something dark, strange and twisted. if your mind isn’t feeling a little screwy by the time you’re done listening, power to you.”
“UNFINISHED BUSINESS” by white lies ashtyne cole, community editor
“while this is probably my favorite song of all time, it’s more than a little eerie. it’s about a dead boyfriend talking to his girlfriend who murdered him. doesn’t get much spookier than that. ”
“FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND” by elton john eric wallace, sports editor
“my dad used to loop the organ at the beginning of the song to make eerie walk-up music for trick or treaters on halloween.”
“LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD” by sam the sham and the pharaohs cat watson, online editor
“a creepy classic you just can’t help singing along to.”
“GRAVEYARD” by grayson capps corey williams, campus editor
“capps, a new orleans native, never fails to capture the city’s creepy vibe.”
“GALLOWS” by cocorosie raye may, photo editor
Game updates Saturday night @TheAUPlainsman
“gallows is a cool, creepy song not just for the melancholy, otherworldly music, but also the lyrics. i’m pretty sure it’s about a trio of friends or lovers who are all hanged for being or consorting with witches. ”
“STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (BACKWARDS)” by led zeppelin jordan hays, copy editor
“.ebyam ,lived eht nommus ton lliw drawkcab gnos siht gniyalp.”
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For a copy of our Outcomes Reports, please see www.vcom.edu/outcomes. ©2014 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. All rights reserved. VCOM is certified by the State Council of Higher Education to operate in Virginia.