Articles written by Mallory Boykin

While the Board of Trustees discussed the Strategic Plan April 24, they focused on tuition, construction, the collegiate learning assessment, the writing initiative, the Lower Coastal Plain Substation and renovations to the Natural Resources Management and Development Institute Forest Products Lab Building at their committee meetings April 25.

The board passed a resolution to allow the finance committee to take proper actions on tuition increases before the board meets again in June because the Alabama Senate is still in session and no actions have been taken and the last day of the session is May 19.

Mouton presented a schematic design of the new dining facility to the board. He also said phase two for parking for the new housing project will hold 856 cars instead of 1200.

Shelby Center: Pete Riley / PHOTO EDITOR

Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., his wife Annette Shelby, Auburn University President Jay Gogue, Board of Trustee Member Samuel Ginn and Dean of College of Engineering Larry Benefield spoke at the dedication ceremony for the Shelby Center for Engineering Technology Friday, April 18.

“Congratulations to Auburn,” Shelby said. “This is a great day for Auburn.”

Students assume roles of attorneys and witnesses presenting a case at mock trial Tuesday, April 29.

The Auburn University Mock Trial Competition Team will have a scrimmage civil case Tuesday, April 29 at 5 p.m. in Foy 208.

Brent Traylor, president of the Auburn University Mock Trail Competition and junior finance major, said starting in the fall, the American Mock Trial Association gives the team a packet.

All the teams are given the same packet, and they alternate between civil and criminal cases.

Auburn Gay Straight Alliance and Spectrum Alliance are sponsoring a Day of Silence to support the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans-gendered community.

Tomorrow they are asking students to stay silent and at 5 p.m. on Foy Lawn, they will break the silence.

Katie Rowe, AGSA treasurer and a sophomore majoring in social work, said students are keeping quiet to represent those who are silenced because they do not feel safe enough to come out and to take a stand against discrimination against the LGBT community.

A 911 call was made at approximately 11:48 a.m. Wednesday reporting a stabbing at The Edge apartment complex at 1114 S. College St.

The victim, Richard Strauss, is not a University student, an Auburn University administrator confirmed to The Plainsman.

The suspect, who was not in custody by print deadline, is not currently enrolled at the University, the administrator also confirmed.

Strauss was taken to East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.

Auburn Assistant Police Chief Tom Dawson said the victim was admitted into surgery for his injuries after an apparent roommate altercation.

A source at the hospital said the victim was treated for injuries in his right vertebral artery and vessels around his aorta. He has been transferred to intensive care because of blood loss.

Dawson said there is no reason to believe the suspect is a threat to campus security, but police presence has been increased.

An AU Alert was sent out at 1:03 p.m. Wednesday informing students and faculty about the situation and advised everyone to remain cautious.

Dean of Students Johnny Green said he was pleased with the way AU Alert was handled.

He said students do not need to avoid The Edge, but students who live there should take the normal precautions and follow police directions.

Kristi Oberholzer contributed to this report.

Financial Aid: Pete Riley / PHOTO EDITOR

The state of the economy and reduced federal government subsidies are causing loan companies to change the loans they give to students and their parents.

“Significant legislative cuts and severe credit market deterioration have caused one-third of the top 100 student loan originators to exit the student loan program, displacing more than 16 percent of Federal Family Education Loan Program loan originations,” said Beth Guerard, spokeswoman for Sallie Mae, in an e-mail. “As a result, loan demand will significantly exceed lender supply for the upcoming academic year.”

Several student loan companies are no longer giving federal loans.

Executive Director of Student Financial Services Michael Reynolds said federal loans are direct loans where the money comes from the federal government and Stafford loans where the money comes from a bank.

Guerard said while Sallie Mae will continue making Federal Stafford and PLUS loans, April 11, but they suspended participating in the federal consolidation loans, which only affects students who have graduated college and want to combine federal loans they have received.

Students voice concerns about campus security, registration, on campus housing and student employment at Thursday’s Whining and Dining with the Dean

An alternative method for football tickets, Juicy Campus, security, housing, registration and student employment were all topics that were discussed at Whining and Dining with the Dean. 

Dean Green asked students on Thursday for their opinions over lunch.

Green asked students about possible alternatives to using student IDs for football tickets.

High school junior ROTC members: participated in the War Eagle Invitational high school competition on Saturday in various categories such as drill and ceremonies and a physical fitness test. JD Schein / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Auburn University Army ROTC hosted the War Eagle Invitational High School Competition Saturday, which involved a physical training contest, air rifle marksmanship events and drill and ceremonies.

“We invite junior ROTC high school programs to come up and compete in drill and ceremonies, air rifle marksmanship and physical fitness,” said Master Sgt. Ron Wheeler, senior military science instructor for Army ROTC.

Wheeler said they took the standard Army PT test, which is a 2 mile run, as many sit-ups as they can do in 10 minutes and as many push-ups as they can do in 10 minutes.

Lt. Col. Jon Segars, professor of military science for Army ROTC and battalion commander for the unit itself, was also at the competition.

He said there are several different versions of drill and ceremonies.

“We’ve got a competition that is strictly military, we’ve got a demilitarized competition that is more like a drill team that you see here at any athletic event,” Segars said.

Segars said there was also a color guard competition.

I don’t know about most of you, but I was shocked on Monday when I stepped outside my door and it felt like it was January outside, not three weeks until the end of school. I do not know if it is because of the weird weather, but around Auburn it just does not feel like this semester should be coming to a close.

As I walked to class, I saw students covered head to toe in North Faces and jeans, something is wrong with this picture. We just came back from spring break, people should be showing off their tans.

Dr. Kicklighter: a professor at Auburn since 1975, prepares to give the first “Final Lecture.” He was elected by the Class of 2008 during the SGA spring election. Lindsey Davidson / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Joseph Kicklighter, giving advice about friendship, work and life, transformed Foy Ballroom into a classroom when he gave “The Final Lecture” Thursday, April 3.

Kicklighter, who has been a professor at Auburn since 1975, was elected by the Class of 2008 to give the first final lecture and share past experiences as a professor as well as give advice about friendship, work and life.

“The Final Lecture” was sponsored by Omicron Delta Kappa, Motar Board and SGA.

Andy Newton, former SGA executive vice president, introduced Kicklighter and said he thought the event went well.

“We had a great turn out, and I’m glad everyone came out in support of Dr. Kicklighter,” Newton said.

Newton said he thought the advice Kicklighter gave about relationships was important.

“I think it is important to remember what you take away from Auburn, the friendships, the relationships with professors and the people that you meet while you are here and just to make sure you continue those,” Newton said.

Ben Johnson, a senior in exercise science, said while he did not know Kicklighter, he was insightful.

“Being a senior, it really influences me to finish what I’m doing and go on with my life and just achieve what I can do,” Johnson said.

Brittany Lee, a junior finance major, said she expected it would be a good lecture, and while she had never had Kicklighter as a professor, some of her friends had and liked him a lot.

Reflecting on his years at Auburn, Kicklighter talked about experiences he’d had being involved with honor societies on campus. At one point, Kicklighter was involved with four honor societies and one social fraternity.