Articles written by Grace Anthony

OIT restricts printing privileges

wpolley — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Peter Kinyua: doctorate student in agricultural economics, uses an OIT printer in the library. Lindsey Davidson / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Any hold on an Auburn student’s Bursar account will prevent on-campus printers from printing or copying.

“The collections department in the Bursar office rolled over a lot of student accounts.” said Office of Information Technology employee and Auburn English graduate student Elizabeth Weeks. “About 4,000 students now have holds on their accounts, which means if you come to the library and try to print you’ll not be able to.”

Many students have been recently added to the delinquent list, but will not know the hold exists until he or she attempts to use on-campus printers or copiers.

Since the switch from the old Banner system is complete in the OIT and Student Financial Services departments, now both programs are synchronized to detect holds and reject students’ printing requests.

“Now the implementation of AU Access is complete on both accounts, students feel the effects,” said Kim Ailiss from Student Financial Services.

“It’s always been that way, but during the recent conversion from the banner system in OIT and our department, there were a few months where students could print, but holds have always prevented printing.”

Internet dating has both fans, skeptics

wpolley — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:33:06 -0400

Brittney Jones: junior in communications, has fun surfing one of the many Internet dating sites. Lindsey Davidson / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Wanted: tall, dark and handsome who likes long walks on the beach and outdoor concerts.

This is just one stereotype of online dating, but dating is a whole new ball game since the phenomenon of Internet dating services like eHarmony, Match.com and many more match people based on compatibility.

“Internet dating sites are kind of like a reassurance that you’re putting yourself into a bigger pond and a bigger ocean” said Andrew Dove, a junior in building science.

“I think people turn to these sites, not necessarily because they can’t find anybody or they’re not good at dating or not attractive or any of those things, but a lot of people get this theory that there’s somebody out there in the world for them, but it’s hard to do that from a small town.”

Are Auburn students looking to other places to meet people besides Sky Bar and math class?

Allergy season in full bloom

wpolley — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Shainur Ahsan: a sophomore in civil engineering, lets his allergies get the best of him on campus while walking by azalea bushes. Pollen in the air is causing many students to stock up on medicines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin and Nasonex to keep their allergies at b

What rolls in like a lion and fades out like a lamb? According to many sick, sneezing students, it’s allergies this spring.

“Allergy season starts when the weather gets warmer and is especially nasty during April, and it normally fades in May,” said Melody Tucker, a pharmaceutical representative. “This time of year, the trigger is pine tree pollen.”

Allergies come from pollen, mold, dust mites, insect stings, food, latex, medicine like penicillin or aspirin, fragrances and more, according to WebMD.

“Benadryl is for people with mild allergies and can be sold over the counter,” Tucker said. “Pills like Singulair and Zyrtec are heavily prescribed.

Other prescribed medicines are certain cortic steroids like Pulmicort, Xopenex and Albuterol.”

Antihistamines and decongestants can be sold over the counter or may be prescribed and provide easier breathing.

Antihistamines ease sneezing, itching, congestion and discharge.

Decongestants help by constricting blood vessels and decreasing the amount of fluid that leaks out into the lining of the nose, according to WebMD.

Are redheads really more fiery?

wpolley — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Emily Heunsch: a University of South Carolina alum, flaunts her red hair. Some students believe red hair affects personality. JD Schein / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

When thinking of redheads, one word comes up over and over again: fiery.

Stars like Lucille Ball, Reba McIntire, Julia Roberts and Lindsay Lohan epitomize the redhead stereotype.

“I think for sure red heads are more spunky and more fun,” Streak Hair Studio stylist Stephenie Wilson said.

Auburn has its fair share of feisty redheads.

“My red hair influences my personality, and I think my personality makes my hair stand out more,” Cait Haygood a sophomore in political science and public relations said. “Since I was a kid, I have loved my red hair because it made me different.”

Redheads stand out on the concourse and in the fashion world too.

“Redheads have to be daring because it takes a certain level of confidence to pull it off,” said “daring” Dimensions Studio stylist Amanda Bolin said about redheads.

Many who are not natural redheads will pay to be red.

Aromatherapy growing alternative to medical treatment

wpolley — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Christie Peisel: senior in business administration, relaxes with the aromatherapy of a candle. Kyle Cooper / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Curing diabetes, arthritis, back pain, migraines, insomnia and more diseases is possible with the right blend of natural oils and plants, according to some aromatherapy proponents.

Aromatherapy is a fast-growing alternative medicine, also used for skin care and promoting general well being.

“It’s more effective than antibiotics or drugs because they kill viruses, fungal infections, bacterial infection and actually shrink tumors,” said Lark Aho, former aromatherapy general practitioner and owner of Larks Oils, Herbs and Essential Oils. “They prevent inflammatory infections.”

Essential oils are steamed from the entire plant, so more properties are extracted.

For diabetes cures, Aho uses drugs from China.

“It started becoming mainstream in the perfume industry. The perfumes began in France, and they used essential oils in their perfumes.” Aho said.

Problem of drugs in water supply not a threat to AU

wpolley — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:46:25 -0400

Antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones, along with other pharmaceuticals, have been found in approximately 41 million Americans’ drinking supplies, according to an Associate Press investigation.

James E. Hairston of the Alabama State Water Program disagrees with the recent scare caused by the investigation.

“When you have drugs showing up in the water, it’s always a concern,” Hairston said.

Number of incarcerated Americans increases

wpolley — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Recent statistics show 1 percent of Americans are incarcerated, according to a report by the Pew Center on the States from CNN.com.

The report says approximately 2,319,258 adults were in U.S. prisons or jails at the beginning of 2008, which is one out of 99.1 adults.

This is more people incarcerated than any other country in the world.

Senate bill could lower state age of majority

ingradc — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Alabama is looking at changing the age of majority from 19 to 18 according to Senate Bill 125.

The bill would amend Sections 13A-12-3 and 26-1-1, Code of Alabama 1975 while considering certain exceptions. It is a Bill to be entitled to an Act.

Age of majority is the age at which the law defines adulthood and is a state-mandated and regulated law.

Police caution students about connection between identity theft, Spring Break

ingradc — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:00:00 -0400

The Federal Trade Commission estimates 9 million Americans have their identity stole annually. With carefree attitudes, college students traveling on spring break are likely victims of identity thefts.

Be prepared for spring break 2008.

“Call the credit card companies before you leave and get passwords for any cards you do take on the trip” said Heidi Marlin at Tiger Travel.

‘Art for the Heart’ raises funds for AVA

ingradc — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:13:10 -0500

Auburn art students are looking to further Auburn’s cultural identity by raising a $25,000 endowment to start an art lecture series on Auburn’s campus.

“Culturally and artistically, there is no reason that Auburn shouldn’t bring in the big names,” Kelly McGinnis, a senior in fine arts and president of the Association of Visual Arts, said.

The AVA has taken the lead by creating the Visual Art Students Visiting Artists and Scholars Program. The program coined the nickname “VAS squared.”