Newton is Scootin’ D1
UPC Block Party B6
Tiger-Sized Cravings C1
The Auburn Plainsman A Spirit That Is Not Afraid
THURSDAY, August 26, 2010
Vol. 117, Issue 1 32 Pages
www.theplainsman.com
Mandatory meal plan spurs student lawsuit BRENT GODWIN ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR
Using your Tiger Card to pay for a meal on campus may be mindless to some, but to others it is a hot-button issue. Three Auburn students filed a lawsuit Aug. 11 in Jefferson County against Chartwells, the company that handles dining on campus, claiming the Board of Trustees and Chartwell’s parent group, Compass, USA, have entered into an illegal conspiracy in restraint of intrastate commerce.
Also named is Board of Trustees President Pro Tem Sarah Newton. The lawsuit claims that the University’s policy to charge a mandatory dining fee in addition to the cost of tuition is unfair, violating Code of Alabama section 6-5-60. It states the mandatory dining plan at Auburn was implemented in July 2007 as a way to boost the University’s revenue. In 2007, the plan was known as “Dining Dollars,” which gave students the option whether they wanted to spend this mon-
ey, and only 991 students opted into the program, according to the lawsuit. The Tiger Card could be used to purchase meals on campus, but select places off-campus also would accept payment in this way, as it acted as a debit card of sorts—not a mandatory predetermined amount as it would later become. Beginning with the class of 2012, which started in Aug. 2008, the dining plan was made Emily Adams / PHOTO EDITOR
> Turn to MEAL PLAN, A2
Students wait in line to get food from the Chic-Fil-A in the Student Center.
* Votes rounded to nearest tenth of a percent
PERCENTAGE OFF VOTES TES P
1
Ham: 3.4% Thompson: .8%
2
Ham: 11.1% Thompson: 3%
3 4
Ham: 14.3% Thompson: 3.6%
&
5 6
Ham: 20.9% Thompson: 6.3%
7 8
Ham: 30% Thompson: 5.1%
&
&
TOTAL VOTES VOTES Infographic designed by Adam Bulgatz / Design Editor torr
Ham: 80.9% Thompson: 19.1%
Ham re-elected to fourth term DANIEL CHESSER NEWS EDITOR
Bill Ham sliced through the competition and is still Auburn’s mayor after Tuesday’s city election. Ham’s numbers in every ward far outweighed his opponent’s, SkyBar Cafe owner Paul Thompson, who was a noshow for the results at Auburn City Hall. “I’m glad the campaign is over with, and we can get back to work,” Ham said. “To be honest with you, I hate asking for money to run a campaign, but it is part of the political process.” Ham is entering his seventh term on Auburn’s City Council and his fourth as mayor. “We have a great city council,” Ham said. “I have not worked with a better group collectively than the one that
just got re-elected.” Gene Dulaney of 7th Ward and Brent Beard of 4th Ward were the only other council members being challenged for their seats. Their opponents were also not in attendance. “Everything seemed to go very smoothly,” said Charlie Duggan, city manager. “I always make it a habit for municipal elections to go by every polling place really just to thank the workers.” Duggan said there were no waiting lines at the polling stations because of the efficiency of the poll workers. “We have a lot of people working the polls that have done it many times before,” Duggan said. The results were expediated because only three of the nine slots on the council were challenged this term, including the position of mayor.
Auburn’s ‘Buddy Ball’ remembered JILLIAN CLAIR ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
After students finish a meal at Sewell Dining Hall, they take their dishes to a window, where someone they’ve never met scrubs it with soap and hot water. Many students don’t give the people who make their dining experience possible a THOMAS second glance. Isiah Thomas was one of the people on the other side of the window. While walking on campus after work Aug. 16, Thomas, 66, had a heart attack and later died at East Alabama Medical Center. Thomas worked in Sewell Dining Hall for 43 years. Affectionately nicknamed “Buddy Ball” by friends, family and coworkers, Isiah was loved by those who knew him, said Isiah’s brother Silas Thomas, an employee of Auburn Housing and Residence Life. “He was a very caring person,” Silas said. “He’d be willing to help anyone.” Silas said his brother was a responsible man who knew when to have fun and when to be serious. “He always said, ‘When it comes down to business, you don’t joke around—you be > Turn to THOMAS, A2
Under Armour showcases new sideline collection ALISON MCFERRIN STAFF WRITER
The Auburn University Bookstore held its first fashion show Tuesday afternoon to showcase fall fashions for both guys and girls. “We’ve talked about it before,” said Katie Lee, bookstore director. Lee said Haley Concourse would have been a great location, but amplified sound permits can’t be obtained until after 7 p.m. “We wanted to do it in the store because students don’t like to come back in the evening time,” Lee said. Jennifer Edwards, marketing and communication specialist for the bookstore, said planning started in July.
INDEX
The bookstore team got the idea from different professional associations. “Other bookstores have had a show and had good results,” Edwards said. Models for the event were members of the Greek community, including eight girls and seven guys. “Loved it,” said Drew Cullen, senior in accounting and an Interfraternity Council Executive. “It was great for the bookstore, and we thank them for having us.”
News A3 Opinions A6
The girls and guys agreed they did it “just for fun,” but as an added perk, models got a free item of clothing for participating. “We’re all about the Under Armour,” Cullen said. Under Armour was only one of the many clothing brands featured at the fashion show. Other fall fashions included clothing from Klutch Apparel, For the Glory, Russell Athletic, Victoria’s Secret, Press B o x and MY U. Carolyn Rush, sophomore in public relations and member of Alpha
Delta Pi, said her favorite outfits were the game day dresses. “It was so fun,” Rush said. Rebecca Hart, Miss Auburn University, served as the emcee for the event. Hart said she has emceed pageants before, but never a fashion show. “It was different because of the crowd interaction, but that just made it more fun,” Hart said. Edwards said this will likely become an annual event, or even semiannual. “We might do it again in the spring,” Edwards said. Edwards said even if the bookstore doesn’t see increased sales, it was a success. “If we can do fun stuff for the students, that’s just a bonus,” Edwards said.
Campus B1 Intrigue C1 Arts & Entertainment C3 Wasting Time C8 Sports D1