Auburn named ‘green college,' only University in the state
Auburn University was named one of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 353 Green Colleges.
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Auburn University was named one of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 353 Green Colleges.
Thousands turned out for Auburn Airwaves on Saturday, April 18, but not all left happy.
The Auburn Planning Commission met Thursday, Feb. 12, at 5 p.m. to discuss changes to the Auburn area. Among the new proposals a review of the proposed site for a new Auburn Highs School was presented. The new location, at 1701 East Samford Ave. will comprise 101 acres and will have three entrances including, East Samford, East University and Glenn. The campus will include a new fine arts building, various sports and practice fields, as well a main academic building surrounded by open courtyards. Parker Lewis, representatives for the owners as well as the Auburn City Schools, said the academic building will be three floors, including an underground basement for weather emergencies. A motion to allow the project was passed. Among the school improvement proposals, the commission also passed the expansion of Lee-Scott Academy, located at 1601 Academy Drive. Additional projects included the relocation of T.R presented by Mulford Waldrop on behalf of MJW Real Estate, LLC. Located on 615 Opelika Road, the commission voted to keep the item on the table for the March 2015 meeting in the hopes of further reviewing the proposed plan. The Agenda was to include the discussion of a new multi family housing facility called Spring Lake, however the project was removed. "I'm not sure why the project was removed," said Mayor Bill Ham. "Perhaps the owners wanted more time to present a building plan." No more information was given, and the Spring Lake complex is not on the agenda for next month.
The Sigma Chi fraternity will not return to Auburn's campus this semester as previously planned, according to Hank DeSanti, junior in accounting and chapter editor. The International Fraternity's charter was suspended in Nov. 2013 after hazing allegations reported by members of the community through the national hazing hotline. DeSanti said the charter was to be suspended until Jan. 2015, but the chapter has collectively decided to not return until at least 2017. According to DeSanti, the fraternity has been in contact with nationals since the charter was suspended. "We met face-to-face one time, but I have been in contact with them a few times a month," DeSanti said. "We would talk about what [national's] process and plan to bring us back on campus was going to be." However, after several months of conversation, Auburn's chapter of Sigma Chi declined national's offer to return to campus. "They were just trying to see how committed we were to it and make sure that we would be on board for the process (of coming back to campus)," said Adam Bettis, member of Sigma Chi and junior in business administration. "They were very nice about it, but we were on different pages of what we wanted to do and what they wanted to do." Nationals only offered 10 brothers to return to the fraternity. Last fall, nationals conducted a review of all active brothers. DeSanti said chapter members were unsure of the standards that were set in order to decide what brothers would return and who wouldn't return. "Everyone was judged pretty quickly," Bettis said. "A bunch of good guys got left out. Looking at that information it was tough for us to do something that would inhibit us from being with our best friends." According to DeSanti, each brother underwent 15-minute interviews. According to DeSanti, the chapter was unsure of the standards that were set in order to decide what brothers would return and who wouldn't return. "That's only a 15 minute interview with each person, and I don't know how they decided in those 15 minutes," DeSanti said. "There were some people who we looked at as very valuable assets, but they wouldn't budge in us trying to get those people in." Sigma Chi nationals and Interfraternity Council did not comment. As of now the fraternity plans to rent their house on Magnolia Avenue to another fraternity.
Two new proposals were introduced at the first University senate meeting of 2015 Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 3:30 p.m. in Broun Hall Auditorium. Constance Relihan, assistant provost for undergraduate studies, presented the proposals. The first is concerned with limiting the number of allowable course repeats with grades of D or F. "Approximately six percent of our students had taken a non-repeatable course three or more times, and I have seen student transcripts of students who have repeated a course up to seven times," Relihan said. The classes that are being repeated most often are lower level prerequisite courses, such as calculus II, English and differential equations. Currently, students who receive a D or an F in a course are able to retake the course as many times as they would like. The policy change would only allow students to repeat a course twice. Upon the third attempt to take the class, students are encouraged to seek academic counseling and must receive written permission from an academic dean. "This policy would make sure a conversation occurs so that the student can have the unpleasant or difficult conversation with someone about whether they really have what it takes at this point in their life to succeed in whatever the major is," Relihan said. The second is a change in wording of the capacity policy, regarding students transferring majors. The current policy requires a student to "be in good standing," meaning a GPA of 2.0 or higher with the University in order to transfer majors if the major does not fall under the CAP policy. Majors that fall under the CAP policy have a maximum number of students allowed in that major because of the limited number of studio spaces, specific accreditation standards or limited physical space on campus for students. However, if there is no CAP policy on a major, any student in "good standing" is able to transfer. The new policy would change the wording of the preamble to the CAP policy and only require students to be "currently enrolled" in the University. "The goal here not to alter the current approved enrollment limitation policies for majors that have good and legitimate reasons for it," Relihan said. "It is to make sure students who are currently enrolled are able to transfer into any other major that is an open enrollment major." Relihan said this change could benefit students who have below a 2.0 and believe their skill set would be fit for another major instead of struggling in a certain major. The Academic Standards Committee introduced the proposals as Pending Action Items and will be voted on at the next University Senate meeting on Jan. 22. Other senate news: Two proposals that were introduced in the November University senate meeting were voted on in the meeting. The first proposal regarded the revision of the Conflict of Interest policy within the research department to make the policy as clear and effective as possible. "Employees [conducting research] must report any conflicts held by themselves or their immediate family which relate to the employees institutional responsibility," said Art Chappelka, faculty research council chair. The proposal was voted on and passed with 87 percent. The second proposal voted on was adding a library representative to the graduate council. George Flowers, dean of the graduate school, re-introduced the proposal. "We are looking to add a standing member of the graduate council from the to represent the libraries," Flowers said. "We are asking for a representative to review curriculum and other items within the graduate council." This proposal was voted on and passed with 97 percent.
1. Johnson fired, Muschamp hired December was a month of change for Auburn football, as defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson was fired one day after the team's 55-44 loss to Alabama. Following several weeks of rumors about Johnson's replacement, former Florida head coach Will Muschamp was announced as the team's new defensive coordinator. This will be the third Auburn coaching job for Muschamp, whose resume includes defensive coordinator at Texas as well as working under Alabama head coach Nick Saban during his time at LSU. 2. Auburn to play in Outback Bowl Following an 8-4 regular season, No. 19 Auburn will take on No. 18 Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl in Tampa. This will be the fourth time Auburn and Wisconsin face off. The game will air Jan. 1 at 11 a.m. on ESPN2. 3. Freshman football player killed at Tiger Lodge apartment complex Auburn football player and freshman Jakell Mitchell was shot and killed at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex Sunday, Dec. 14. Mitchell died at East Alabama Medical Center after suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to Lee County Coroner Bill Harris. The Auburn Police Division arrested and charged Markale Hart of Camp Hill with Mitchell's murder Sunday, Dec. 14. The apartment complex is the same complex where Desmonte Leonard shot and killed three people in 2012, including two Auburn football players. 4. Coates to enter NFL Draft Wide receiver Sammie Coates announced Monday, Dec. 15 he will forgo a final year of eligibility and declare for the NFL draft. Coates had four touchdowns this season and is rated as the overall No. 40 prospect and seventh-ranked wide receiver in his class, according to NFLDraftScout.com. Coates graduated Saturday, Dec. 13, and said he would have stayed to play another season for the Tigers if he had more classes to take. He will play for the Tigers in the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin. 5. Dismukes named first All-American team by AP Auburn center Reese Dismukes was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press Tuesday, Dec. 16, and the Associated Football Coaches Association Wednesday, Dec. 17. He is the first Auburn football player to be a consensus All-American pick since 2010. Dismukes will also received the Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the country's best center, Jan. 11 in Lincoln, Nebraska. A four-year starter for Auburn, Dismukes will play his final game for Auburn in the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin.
In a sleek black gown Nov. 22, Brooke Fletcher was crowned the 2015 Miss Georgia USA in McDonough, Georgia. Fletcher, a native Georgian who graduated with a business marketing degree, said she loved broadcasting and came to Auburn with the ultimate goal of doing on-camera work. Most of her experience came from Eagle Eye TV as the entertainment director and a reporter. She's now the associate director at ESPNU and the SEC Network. Her pageant experience began with a local pageant, Miss Pride, and in 2009, she competed for Miss Georgia Teen USA, winning on her first try. "[Miss Georgia Teen] was a great experience," Fletcher said. "But I always knew I wanted to do Miss Georgia USA, but it was just about timing." In 2014, Fletcher said she focused her energy into working out and eating healthy for Miss Georgia USA, among other preparation with the help of her pageant coach Thomas Barnette. With more than 25 years of coaching experience, Barnette said he helped Fletcher in areas from interview skills to her image in terms of how she presented herself to the judges. "Brooke is a natural beauty, super intelligent and just a very likable personality," Barnette said. "She's just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside." Barnette said he will be assisting Fletcher in the Miss USA competition in 2015. The Miss Georgia USA competition consisted of several rounds of swimsuit and evening gown review and interview to narrow down the contestants. "I didn't think I was going to win," Fletcher said. "I grew up watching Miss USA my whole life, and I always thought about how neat it would be to compete there, and now that I'm going to compete there, it's crazy." Fletcher believes her experience with Miss Georgia Teen USA and Miss Georgia USA gives her a leg up on what to expect with Miss USA. She said Eagle Eye TV also helped her think on her feet, answer honestly and not overthink the question during the interview. "Just doing the interviews with Eagle Eye and constantly talking to people and working with others really taught me to be comfortable talking to people and being in front of the camera," Fletcher said. Rachel Lundberg, senior in journalism and sports manager of Eagle Eye TV, worked closely with Fletcher in previous years. Though Fletcher worked behind the scenes, Lundberg said Fletcher's reporting experience helped her gain valuable on-camera skills. "I'm sure (Eagle Eye) helped her a lot with being comfortable and knowing that she can pause and think about her answer, put it together and say it eloquently," Lundberg said. Barnette said preparation for Miss USA will be a continuation of the process already in motion. "It's more than about beauty and being in a pageant," Barnette said. "It's about the empowerment of these young ladies to believe in and love themselves, and to showcase that as an inspiration to other people because I think at the end of the day, the women who compete in these pageants really do have a lot more than just physical beauty." The location and date of Miss USA 2015 have not been announced yet.
In their 2015 edition of "The Best 379 Colleges," The Princeton Review named Auburn University the "#1 Jock School" based on the popularity of intercollegiate and intramural sports, as well as the Greek system. According to a press release from The Princeton Review, the rankings are determined by surveys from 130,000 students, an average of 343 participants per campus. The survey consists of 80 questions about their school's academics, administration and student body. David Soto, director of content development for The Princeton Review, said the rankings are helpful to future college students. "I think the rankings provide a wide breadth of information for prospective students and parents that paints a broader picture of what they might want to look at in a potential school," Soto said. The Princeton Review works with university administration to distribute the survey via mass email. "For the administration, I think a positive ranking is seen as a badge of honor, while a negative title serves as an opportunity to help institute change or promote clubs or diversity on campus," Soto said. The title received a mixed reception from Auburn students. Cameran Collins, freshman in software engineering, said he disagrees with the ranking. "It doesn't feel like a jock school to me, that seems more like Alabama," Collins said. Jenn Martin, vice president of Auburn's women's club lacrosse team and senior in industrial and systems engineering, said the ranking's name might be misinterpreted. "Jock is a subjective word, and it really depends on who you're talking to," Martin said. "I see it as someone who is athletic and active." According to Martin, her team is close despite being from different locations and backgrounds. Martin said she made some of her closest friends through her involvement in athletics. "We love our sports and we take lacrosse seriously," said Casie Claunch, sophomore in nursing and member of the women's club lacrosse team. Eric Finch, vice president of Auburn's club handball team and junior in wireless engineering, said Auburn's student body overall seems healthier and more active than a typical campus. Alex Devilliers, president of Auburn's club wrestling team and junior in business administration, said participating in sports has had a positive impact on his life. "I feel like jock usually has a negative connotation, but if it means someone who is really active and healthy, then that would be accurate," Devilliers said. Debo Crew, senior in civil engineering, said Auburn athletics is competitive. "It doesn't surprise me at all," Crew said. "I've participated in intramural sports all five years at Auburn and it's something you've got to fight for." Though many people are divided on the issue, some students remain neutral. "I think any recognition for Auburn is great," said Spencer Bounphouansy, sophomore in computer science. According to The Princeton Review, Auburn was also ranked seventh for "Most Conservative Students," 9th for "Students Pack the Stadium," 12th for "Most Religious Students," 13th for "LGBT-Unfriendly," 17th for "Best Quality of Life," and 20th for "Friendliest Students."
Sarah-Baskin Champion did not grow up a pageant girl. Baskin, Miss Alabama Teen USA 2014, was a self-proclaimed introvert, something her mother, Laura Champion, said she agreed with. "She's naturally just a very quiet, shyer person," Laura said. Baskin, sophomore in apparel design, competed in her first pageant at Miss Alabama Teen USA 2013 after Paula Miles, director of the Miss Alabama Teen USA pageant, recruited her. "She had a very unique look, a great personality, was cute and bubbly and personified exactly what we thought a Miss Alabama Teen USA would be," Miles said. Baskin said she wanted to get out of her comfort zone and become comfortable around strangers, something she said the pageant taught her. "Since she has gotten involved in the teen program, she has just blossomed," Laura said. In Miss Alabama Teen USA 2013, she won Miss Congeniality, Most Photogenic and placed 4th runner-up overall. In 2014, the crown was hers. As Miss Alabama Teen USA, Baskin has spoken at programs, volunteered at aTeam Ministries, which supports children diagnosed with cancer and participated in a walk for Crohn's disease and Colitis. She also had opportunities to model; an interest of Baskin's before her involvement in pageants. Baskin, the second of four children, has traveled around the world on medical missions with her father, Greg Champion, a doctor, and cites New Zealand, Africa and Israel as her favorite places. Even though Baskin, whose parents graduated from the University of Alabama, grew up a die-hard Alabama fan, Auburn won her heart. "I just love the small town feel of Auburn," she said. Baskin said she had close friends at Auburn, loved Auburn's conservative values and knew the apparel design program was nationally ranked. Baskin convinced her older brother, Josh Champion, junior in marketing, to transfer from Alabama to Auburn in 2013. Baskin's sister Abby Grace plans to join her on the Plains in 2015. Her favorite Auburn memory was the 2013 Iron Bowl because, not only did Auburn have a last-second victory, she was introduced on the field as Miss Alabama Teen USA. When she is not competing, Baskin loves hiking at Chewacla State Park and water sports. At the Miss USA 2014 competition in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she met business tycoon Donald Trump, owner of the Miss Universe Organization. According to Miles, before competing at the state pageant, contestants complete an application and interview. They are then awarded a title representative of their area. Baskin's title was Miss Vestavia Hills, her hometown. The Miss Teen USA contestants, representing all 50 states and Washington D.C., compete in swimsuit, evening gown, interview and on-stage question. This year's Miss Teen USA pageant is in the Bahamas, with preliminaries Aug. 1, and finals Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. Baskin's parents, siblings, close family friends and several Phi Mu sorority sisters will be on-hand as she competes. As for her preparations, Baskin said she will work on hair, make-up and review her questionnaire responses before flying out July 28. "I feel like the reason I'm doing this is so girls can see you don't have to be completely fake to be a pageant girl," Baskin said. "I think it's important to stay true to yourself during pageants."
Auburn's Sigma Chi's fraternity had its charter suspended Monday, Nov. 18, following hazing allegations reported by members of the community starting at the beginning of the semester. The charter will be suspended until January 2015. According to Michael Ciatto, grand praetor of Auburn Sigma Chi fraternity, the International Sigma Chi Fraternity has temporarily suspended the charter. "The charter has been temporarily suspended until such time when we believe the environment at Auburn and alumni support is such that we can facilitate the restructuring of the chapter according to Sigma Chi's ideals and put it in a place of prominence on Auburn's campus," Ciatto said. Sigma Chi has been on review by the International Fraternity since Sept. 7 after receiving hazing allegations, such as late mandatory study hours, to the Auburn Hazing Hotline and the International Sigma Chi Fraternity Hotline. "The hope is in a about a year we can come back with strong alumni support and bring back some members that are still around and rebuild," said T.J. Harlin, president of Sigma Chi fraternity. "We've been here for 75 years and we donate thousands of dollars to Children's Miracle Network each year through our Derby Days campaign. There's a lot of good stuff that goes along with this fraternity and we're hoping in about a year we can come back stronger than ever." Auburn University defines hazing as, "Hazing is any action taken or situation created intentionally or unintentionally whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule...or other activities which are not consistent with organizational laws, ritual, or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution. Actions, forced or required or implied to be required, which violate federal, state, or local law, are considered hazing." Harlin said rumors about half of their freshmen pledge class dropping at the beginning of the semester are false. "We had about five or six guys drop," Harlin said. "When those things happen, you'll have guys drop because of financial obligations and others who figure out the organization just isn't for them. There's nobody who was ever in physical harm." A source close to the controversy said the hazing reported was not physical or alcohol-related hazing. The source also said approximately seven or eight other fraternities have also been reported through Auburn Hazing Hotline this semester. Ciatto said the International Fraternity has not received allegations to the Auburn Hazing Hotline or International Fraternity Hotline prior to this year. "Any concerns that we have ever had, we have dealt with internally, including the removal of brothers when deemed necessary," Ciatto said. Ciatto said Sigma Chi will serve as a role model for other fraternities on Auburn's campus. "Our international leadership is 100 percent dedicated to stopping all instances of hazing, regardless of the severity [of the hazing] and as such we felt it was our responsibility to take the lead at Auburn's campus and set an example that all hazing must be dealt with swiftly," Ciatto said. "(We) hope that other fraternities would follow suit." Harlin said the brothers of Sigma Chi who were causing the problems were dismissed from the fraternity before the charter was revoked. "The sad thing is you have a small group of guys who can tarnish the reputation of a large group of people," Harlin said. "It's a shame that (Sigma Chi's) name is associated with that kind of behavior because the vast majority of the guys [in Sigma Chi] are the most upstanding, gentlemanly people that you'll ever meet. It's a shame that they're forced to deal with these rumors." Amanda Clare, IFC graduate assistant, said the University has nothing to do with Sigma Chi's charter being revoked. Sigma Chi will keep the house, but all brothers living there will have to move out by the end of December. "We have every aspiration to return to Auburn's campus at the correct time when we can develop a sustainable chapter aligned with our values," Ciatto said.