When it comes to walking on campus, not many students are watching their step.
Most are talking with friends, trying to find that class in Haley or running to catch the next transit.
But when walking near Langdon Hall, it's best to step lightly.
In front of Langdon lies the Auburn University seal, a symbol of Auburn with more meaning than the "instruction, extension and research" enscribed on it. It's one of Auburn's most commonly known and believed myths.
"It is said that if you step on the Auburn University seal in front of Langdon Hall, you will never graduate from Auburn," said Matthew Goodloe, an Auburn alum and previous Camp War Eagle Counselor. "(Also) you will never find your true love."
It is common to find students walking in front of Langdon Hall on any given weekday, often gathering in the grassy areas to relax and enjoy the beautiful Alabama weather.
But how often do students consider the danger they are apparently facing when coming in contact with the sacred seal?
"I see people all the time walk right over it," said Claire Davis, senior in graphic design. "Some will step on it and jump off when they realize they touched it."
Davis has also seen many people ride their bikes over the seal, but didn't know if that would count because they technically aren't walking across it.
"I've never stepped on it," Davis said. "Just in case the myth is true."
Although Langdon Hall is a significant building on Auburn's campus, some students never venture out of their routine to notice the seal.
"I just don't go to that part of campus," said Jenna Roth, junior in communication disorders. "I live in the Haley Center."
But if she ever found herself accidentally walking over the seal, she wouldn't be worried about the consequences.
"If you're smart you're going to graduate no matter what," Roth said.
Either way, the myth of the Auburn seal will continue to be told each year by Camp War Eagle counselors and the origins will remain a mystery to all.
"Maybe Auburn just wanted to keep the seal looking new," Davis said. "So they made up the myth to keep people from walking on it."
Hopefully biking across it isn't doing any damage to the seal or to those students who are walking over it.
"If you do step on the seal, there is only one way to reverse the curse," Goodloe said. "You have to jump in the fountain at the President's Mansion at midnight on leap day."
The next leap day is Feb. 29, 2012.
Good luck to those who just panicked when they realized it's their last semester here at Auburn and they have indeed walked on top of the seal.
No worries, freshman and sophomores. There is still time.
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