The year 2012 proved to be full of tumult, change, sadness, victory and loss for the University and its students. To sum it all up, here is a list of the top ten happenings around campus during the past year.
1. New Smoking Policy
The year began with an announcement from Auburn President Jay Gouge that the campus would be smoke-and cigarette-free by fall 2013. Gradual adjustments were made in fall 2012, begin- ning with the restriction of on-campus smoking stating that smokers must be at least 25 feet away from buildings to smoke. Those not in compliance with this rule would be verbally reprimanded, although not punished.
Support for students and faculty who want to quit smoking altogether has been offered by campus pharmacists, who will analyze the patient’s situation and provide necessary support and medication through a three to six month program. The university will issue a full-fledged smoking ban beginning in fall 2013, in hopes that the offered cessation program with pharmacists will help alleviate such a large change.
2. Harvey Updyke Trials
The notorious tree-poisoning Harvey Updyke continued to frequent the news with various activities surrounding his highly publicized trial. Updyke confessed to Plainsman reporter Andrew Yawn, outside of trial and under no obligation to speak, that he was guilty of poisoning Toomer’s Oaks. A day later, his primary defense attorney denied that Updyke made the statement.
One of Updyke’s defense attorneys, Lois J. Willie II, requested to leave the case due to other professional and personal obligations. Willie was Updyke’s fifth attorney to leave the case.
He claimed he has lost 62 pounds since the beginning of his arrest, is taking 18 different medications for various health issues and pleaded not guilty due to mental illness.
Updyke made headlines once again when he was arrested on September 18 in Hammond, La. on terrorizing charges at a home improvement store.
3. Summer Shootings at University Heights
An impossibly tragic event of the summer was the triple- homicide shooting at University Heights apartments on West Longleaf Drive. Montgomery resident Desmonte Leonard was arrested and charged with shooting and killing former Auburn football players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips and Auburn resident Demario Pitts on June 9. Leonard was additionally charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
4. Auburn in the Olympics
As a bright spot on a bleak summer, 24 former and current Tigers and four coaches traveled to London to compete or coach the 2012 Olympics, representing thirteen different countries. These included Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Bahamas, Jamaica, Australia, Great Britain, Canada, South Africa, United States, American Samoa, Mexico and Ireland.
The athletes participated in swimming or track and field events, and won two gold medals, one silver and three bronze. Additionally, Auburn student Marisa Grimes was chosen to carry an Olympic Torch in London.
5. New Parking Rules
In hopes of easing the ever-present parking problems at Auburn, Parking Services implemented a number of changes to policies and lots around campus.
A new parking zone, called Proximity-C, was created in hopes of guaranteeing spots for students who had a pass for PC. These new zones are located at the Coliseum, Auburn Arena, the lot across from Momma Goldberg’s on Magnolia and a small space behind the public safety office.
Parking Services said plans for the new parking policies had been in the works for a year before implementation.
6. SGA Restructuring
The Student Government Association went under a huge restructuring that was imple- mented in fall 2012. Because they felt they were taking on too many tasks and didn’t feel they had enough manpower or funding for these tasks, many programs were delegated to other organizations that could better tackle them. SGA wanted to deal primarily with governance tasks and become more initiative-based.
7. Food Truck Expansion
In part influenced by the food truck craze spreading around the nation and in part to diversify Auburn dining experience, many new food trucks cropped up around campus during the past year to build on the popularity of the Tex’s Tacos and Momma Goldberg’s trucks.
Additions to the fleet included Honeysuckle Gelato, Kona Ice, Mighty Meatballs and Mac the Cheese.
8. Presidential Elections
For many Auburn students, the 2012 elections presented the first opportunity to vote in a presidential race. Topics such as abortion, tax increase, health care and immigration influenced students to rock the vote as citizens who will be part of the work force in the next number of years.
The campus was alight with participation with much activity from political groups handing out stickers and campaigning on the concourse.
At the announcement of President Obama’s re-election on November 6, many students flocked to Toomer’s Oaks to roll the trees in celebration.
9. Losing Football Season
With the new semester came a new football season and a new wave of football fan woes. The Tigers went 3-9 overall and were completely winless in the SEC for the first time ever. The less than satisfying season was termed by many as a “rebuilding year” for the football program, coming down from the high of the 2010 National Championship title. However, fans and players alike were not expecting the homecoming loss to Ole Miss and no bowl game appearance.
10. Gus Malzahn Hired
The Auburn Athletic Department dismissed head football coach Gene Chizik in hopes of a more favorable football season in 2013. His contract was terminated early and he will receive his $7.2 million buyout over the next four years.
Chizik was replaced by former Auburn offensive coach, Gus Malzahn, who will be returning to the Plains from Arkansas State. Malzahn has already hired a number of new staff and coordinators for a fresh start in 2013.
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