When planning the construction for a temporary ramp in front of Langdon Hall, staying off the Auburn University's seal was at the top of the to-do list.
During Camp War Eagle, every student is brought to the seal and told the about the tradition of avoiding the seal. The myth is if you step on the seal, you will not graduate from Auburn and will never find your true love.
Construction on Langdon Hall has been going on since Sept. 14. With all the renovations inside the building nearing completion, a temporary ramp has been installed at the front of the building.
The ramp meets American with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.
"Right now, the handicap ramp is inoperable," said Ron Booth, director of program management. "We built the wooden ramp as a temporary measure."
Until the permanent ramp is put in, the wooden ramp is staying off the seal.
"We felt like the seal was sacred," said Randy Long, project manager. "With all the tours it is a focal point."
Long said working around the seal was not a difficult decision to make. However, putting a temporary wooden ramp outside of the hall without touching the seal was not as easy as it might seem.
"We had to change directions to keep it off the seal," Booth said.
Booth said there had to be some re-planning on the temporary ramp because of the decision to work around the seal.
"Originally, the slopes weren't working out," Long said. "We actually went back and redesigned the ramp."
According to ADA standards, every inch of rise needs 12 inches of ramp.
"It just took a week or so to maintain the ADA accessibility and not touch the seal," Long said.
For students who strive to keep traditions alive, this action has not gone unnoticed.
"We harp on tradition, and you can't just ignore it for construction," said Kimberly Jones, senior in political science.
If you sit outside Langdon Halleven for a few minutes, the sight of bikers swerving and students walking around the seal would not be uncommon before the temporary ramp was built.
"I think as a student, we are not supposed to touch it because of the tradition. It means a lot that they are going out of their way not to touch the seal," said Caitlin Brougham, junior in nursing.
Many might agree that it is not that big of a deal, but for most it is a sign that the utmost thought and care is put into even the smallest aspects of campus.
"It's just a myth, but the fact they are keeping the tradition does mean a lot," Jones said.
As a Camp War Eagle counselor this summer, Jones knows all too well the importance of the seal. She anticipates bringing her 10 groups of freshmen around it this summer to hear the story for themselves.
If you have the misfortune of stepping on the seal and are superstitious, don't worry. Getting rid of the curse is simple. Just wait until midnight on a leap day and take a quick dive in the fountain outside the president's mansion.
If you are planning to wash away the curse, please keep in mind the consequences that come along with this swim.
"We would recommend that no one go trespassing on the president's property," said Capt. Tom Stofer of the Auburn Police Division.
Just try your best to stay off the seal if you believe in the myth.
Booth stated that construction on the permanent ramp will begin by fall and should be finished by the end of the year.
Until then, the temporary ramp will serve as a means of getting inside Langdon Hall and a reminder that students aren't the only ones concerned with keeping traditions alive.
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