What's in store for Auburn?
Auburn University President Jay Gogue answered that question and more at the State of the University Address at 6:30 p.m. in Langdon Hall March 19.
The half-hour lecture was sponsored by Omicron Delta Kappa and approximately 50 students were in attendance, including former SGA president Owen Parrish.
Gogue aimed at updating students on the current state of the University as well as addressing future concerns.
In a move uncharacteristic of presidential figures but reinforcing of his "students first" attitude, Gogue stood offstage at the front of the large classroom facility holding a microphone instead of using a podium.
Like a graduate student presenting a well-researched thesis, Gogue informally addressed students about concerns such as rising tuition rates, graduation rates, e-learning and distance courses, the possible addition of more international students and the status of possibly increasing enrollment.
Gogue also said that Auburn is due to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) the week of March 25, and that its Quality Enhancement Plan is electronic portfolios.
At the end of the lecture, a brief Q&A was held in which questions about the new campus smoking ban, future parking and academic policies were also answered.
Gogue said in the future, a parking deck will be built by the engineering "L" buildings and the library parking deck area will be expanded.
Plans to tear down Beard-Eves Memorial Coliseum for more surface parking and replace Funchess Hall were also mentioned.
In addressing academic policies such as mandatory summer school or required hour-specific course loads, Gogue said that it would be a hard transition because it may not fit into the culture of Auburn.
"You've got kids coming here that have been told what Auburn is like by their grandparents and parents," Gogue said. "It's hard to change that."
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