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(05/21/14 3:00pm)
Before I stepped onto The Plains, I had no idea what Auburn University really was.
I came to Auburn with no friends from home and a lot of clothes.
I knew I needed to get involved as soon as possible, but finding where to get involved was the tricky part. Not all students know what they want to do with the rest of their lives the first day of college.
I was lucky enough to have an idea of what I wanted to do and started working for The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn's student-run and independently funded weekly campus newspaper.
Everyone on staff at The Plainsman is dedicated to giving the students, faculty and staff here in Auburn the news they deserve to know.
Our print edition of The Plainsman is filled with features and news reports of what is happening on campus and in the Auburn community throughout the week.
We also have a website, ThePlainsman.com, which is updated with fresh content throughout the week.
At The Plainsman, we have a motto: A spirit that is not afraid.
We are here to make sure the people at the University know exactly what is going on, even behind closed doors.
We are not just students working part-time on a class project.
We are journalists who take full responsibility for bringing the news and what is going on in Auburn to the public's attention.
The Plainsman covers everything from city council and Student Government Association meetings to features about interesting students to last season's BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena, Calif.
The Plainsman also ensures the students and faculty of the University are updated on breaking news as quickly as possible.
When we had threats against the University, The Plainsman's Twitter account, @TheAUPlainsman, was where people could find minute-by-minute updates on what was happening with the Auburn Police Division and on campus.
Same goes for the severe weather we had in April.
When the tornado warning sounded, the staff had the responsibly to let the people of Auburn know when and where to go to be safe.
The Plainsman office is more than just a place to work, it's become my niche and I encourage you to find yours.
Find that club, organization or classroom on campus that makes you excited to get out of bed every morning.
The Plainsman is my heart and soul and I hope you see that in my staff as we continue to break and cover news throughout the upcoming semesters.
(04/29/14 12:34am)
April 29, 10:53 p.m.The National Weather Service says severe weather chances are "low" tonight throughout central Alabama.Severe weather was originally forecast to arrive in the Auburn area at 9 p.m., but there are currently no tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings across the entire state of Alabama.According to Birmingham-based meteorologist James Spann, the air in front of the storms is not conducive for severe weather Tuesday night.
RT @spann: No severe weather so far; looks like the air is a bit too stable for a major event tonight. pic.twitter.com/x14s3WLXv5
-- The Auburn Plainsman (@TheAUPlainsman) April 29, 2014
Lee County, along with most of Alabama and Georgia, is under a flash flood watch until 7 a.m. Wednesday. Residents should be aware of heavy rain throughout the night and the possibility of flooding, which impacted parts of the Mobile and Pensacola, Fla., region Tuesday night.
_______________April 29, 12:33 p.m.According to its latest update, the National Weather Service in Birmingham's storm tracker has severe weather arriving in the Auburn area sometime after 9 p.m. Tuesday.The NWS issued a "Hazardous Weather Outlook" Tuesday morning that had severe weather first impacting central Alabama starting at 2 p.m. That outlook appears to be for the western part of the state as another slow-moving system may not arrive in Auburn until late Tuesday night._______________April 29, 11:39 a.m.Another strong line of severe thunderstorms could affect Auburn as early as 2 p.m. Tuesday, according to the latest bulletin from the National Weather Service.The NWS in Birmingham issued a "Hazardous Weather Outlook" late Tuesday morning for more than 30 counties across central Alabama."Another round of severe weather will be possible for all of central Alabama starting around 2 or 3 p.m. this afternoon and lasting through about midnight," the bulletin states.Once again, tornadoes, damaging winds and hail are all possible for this upcoming round of storms."We will still see a cold front slide through this afternoon," the NWS released through social media. "The sun this morning and early afternoon will not be our friend and could help destabilize the environment. If the air mass does destabilize then we could see additional severe weather including tornadoes."Flash flooding continues to be a possibility in Lee County, according to the NWS. The county remains under a flash flood watch until 7 a.m. Wednesday.We will continue to provide updates throughout the day on this page and on Twitter @TheAUPlainsman._______________April 29, 5:00 a.m.The tornado watch has been cancelled for Auburn University. There is another chance of severe weather forecast from 3 p.m. to midnight. We will continue to provide updates throughout the day on this page and on Twitter @TheAUPlainsman._______________April 29, 3:57 a.m.The National Weather Service has issued a new tornado warning for the southeastern part of Lee County. This new warning does not include Auburn or Auburn University.Areas impacted by the new warning include Smiths Station and Phenix City. A tornado has not been spotted on the ground in Lee County._______________April 29, 3:47 a.m.The National Weather Service has now canceled the tornado warning for Lee County.The county is still under a tornado watch until 5 a.m._______________April 29, 3:36 a.m.The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Lee County until 4 a.m. WSFA News out of Montgomery is reporting a tornado sighting 12 miles south of Auburn, near Society Hill. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAS TRACKING CONFIRMED TORNADO NEAR SOCIETY HILL...OR 12 MILES SOUTH OF AUBURN. DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED THIS TORNADO MOVING NORTH AT 50 MPH._______________April 29, 2:42 a.m.The National Weather Service has extended the tornado watch for Lee County until 5 a.m.The line of storms recently passed through Montgomery County, where there was a tornado warning.Lee County is also still under a flash flood watch.Auburn University Emergency Management has announced both the Draughon Library and Greene Hall will stay open throughout the duration of the tornado watch._______________April 29, 12:08 a.m.Auburn University Public Safety and Security has released a bulletin on the severe weather situation:"The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Lee County, Alabama, including Auburn University, until 3:00 a.m. CDT. Severe weather is not expected in Auburn until close to that time and the Tornado Watch may be extended...This round of storms is expected to be out of the Auburn area before 8:00 a.m. CDT Tuesday, so there are currently no anticipated impacts to classes or campus operations."_______________April 28, 11:34 p.m.A tornado watch has now been issued for Lee County until 3 a.m.Greene Hall at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Draughon Library on the main campus will be open through the duration of the watch._______________April 28, 10:48 p.m.The expected arrival for the severe weather in Lee County has been pushed back to "as early as 3:30 a.m.," according to the Lee County Emergency Management Agency's Facebook page."At this time Lee County is not under [tornado] watches or warnings," the Lee County EMA posted. "However, the storm system is moving much slower than anticipated and the current radar indicates that we could see the [effects] of the storms as early as 3:30 a.m."Lee County is still under a flash flood watch, along with most of the state._______________April 28, 7:35 p.m.According to the National Weather Service, severe weather is forecasted to arrive in Auburn and the Lee County area around midnight Tuesday.Lee County is currently under a flash flood watch and is expected to go under a tornado watch in the coming hours.The slow-moving storm system that has affected several areas throughout the Southeast and North Alabama, where several tornadoes were reported Monday.
Storms moving slowly into AL. Not expecting severe in Auburn until after midnight or 1am. Make sure your NOAA weather radio is on tonight!
-- AU Emergency Mgmt (@AUEmergencyMgmt) April 29, 2014
The severe weather threat has a chance of tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds and large hail throughout the early hours of Tuesday morningIn the event of a tornado watch, Greene Hall at the College of Veterinary Medicine will be open. Draughon Library on the main campus will be open 24 hours.Alabama governor Robert Bentley has issued a state of emergency for all Alabama counties as a response to the damage from severe weather throughout the state. "Some of our communities have already experienced significant damage as a result of the tornadoes that began moving through Alabama earlier today " Bentley said in a statement. "By issuing a State of Emergency, I am directing all state agencies to take necessary actions to respond to Alabama communities that need help."Stay here for updates throughout the night.
(04/18/14 11:08pm)
Bo Jackson's commemoratory ride across Alabama will continue on the former two-sport athlete's collegiate stomping grounds in 2014.
Bo Bikes Bama, the annual charity event that raises funds for emergency planning in memory of the Alabamians lost in the deadly April 2011 tornado outbreak, will kick off both legs of the cycling event on Saturday morning at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts.
With the ride in its third year of existence, Jackson said his inspiration for the event was born from the terror he felt watching the destruction in his home state that infamous April day.
"With all the loss of life that happened here, I just felt compelled to come home and help in anyway form or fashion," Jackson said.
All funds raised during the ride go toward the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund, which helps to construct storm shelters across the state.
"Everybody knows you can't compete with Mother Nature," Jackson said. "You can't fight her. But you can get out of her way. By raising funds to build tornado shelters all around the state, we've done that in the sense that we want fellow Alabamians, whenever we're having bad weather, to get out of their homes and into a safe place."
Speaking in Foy Hall on Auburn's campus, Jackson said he was recently told by Governor Robert Bentley that almost 200 shelters had been built across the state of Alabama.
Jackson estimated the shelters can house close to 150 people and will withstand 300 mph winds.
"Everybody who has donated is responsible for this structure being here," Jackson said. "It's because of you guys who have donated a few dollars here or there that we were able to get the bank account to where we could make these structures."
In addition to discussing plans for Bo Bikes Bama, Jackson also gave a sneak preview of the upcoming SEC Network documentary "Bo, Barkley and the Big Hurt."
The documentary highlights a period in the 1980's when Jackson, Charles Barkley and Frank Thomas, all of whom went on to become professional athletes, were collegiate athletes in Auburn at the same time.
With his former team's spring game scheduled to take place the same day as his charity event, Jackson, who currently resides in Illinois, said he is happy to be back in his home state.
"The state of Alabama is home to me," Jackson said. "I am proud to be from this state. Sometimes I'm not proud of the way we treat each other, from one side of the state to the other. But this is home to me."
(03/26/14 5:19pm)
Bruce Pearl's hiring as the Auburn men's basketball head coach not only rejuvenated the former Tennessee head coach's career, it also provided a fresh opportunity for former members of his staff.
"I'm going to bring some of my family members into my coaching staff," Pearl said. "Guys that I've been with before; guys that I've won with before; guys that I've won with; and guys who know my system and how to prepare."
Pearl announced Tony Jones, his former assistant coach at Tennessee, would be a part of his staff at Auburn during his press conference.
Considering the tribulations Pearl and Jones experienced while coaching at Tennessee, it's fair to say there's a certain amount of trust between the two.
"When the SEC suspended me for eight games in my last season, I had to turn the reigns over to my associate head coach," Pearl said. "There aren't many guys in the SEC who can go 5-3, but Tony Jones went 5-3 in the SEC as head coach."
Jones won five consecutive SEC games as interim head coach at Tennessee, a feat that Jones said he was proud of considering the circumstances.
"I was an assistant to the head coach, not in the way I wanted to be, but I won five straight SEC games," Jones said. "I gained a lot of experience after being thrown into the fire."
Pearl's show-cause violation means he cannot recruit for Auburn until August, but Jones and other assistants will be allowed to hit the recruiting trail in the meantime.
Considering his history of recruiting top talent, Jones may help steady Auburn's recruiting until Pearl's sanctions come to an end.
Jones helped the Volunteers sign recruiting classes ranked among the top 10 in the nation twice during his time at Tennessee. Those classes included the likes of McDonald's All-Americans Scotty Hopson and Tobias Harris, the latter of which currently plays for the Orlando Magic of the NBA.
"We have two scholarships right now ,so we're looking to bring in two quality individuals to supplement what we current have," Jones said. "We also have to earmark the top players in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi."
Jones admitted that Auburn does not carry a lengthy tradition of winning, but said he didn't think it would be that big of an obstacle on the recruiting trail.
"Once (Pearl) is able to get out and communicate with recruits and once kids are on campus, the university will represent itself," Jones said.
Following his departure from Tennessee, Jones spent two seasons as the head basketball at Alcoa High School in Tennessee, where he led the Tornadoes to a 46-19 record over two seasons.
Jones said he enjoyed his time as a head coach, but hoped he wouldn't be forced into that situation at Auburn.
"Hopefully I won't have to be the head coach here, you know if he gets thrown out or something," Jones said. "But I've worked for the best, and Bruce Pearl is a very talented coach and his record speaks for himself. We've been very successful together and I don't see that changing."
With his collegiate basketball coaching career rejuvenated, Jones thinks he, along with the rest of his staff, can help restore the Tigers to their winning ways.
"The Auburn family and their sports teams have traditionally been successful, so why not men's basketball?" Jones said. "It can be done here, we just have to start the legacy, starting today."
(02/12/14 9:30pm)
April 27, 2011 will always be remembered as the day when one of the deadliest and destructive tornadoes tore through Alabama. As the F4 tornado ripped through Tuscaloosa, it destroyed thousands of homes, businesses and other buildings. At least 53 people died, according to AL.com. No one could have imagined this devastating aftermath. Tornadoes can be unpredictable, so it’s important to take the proper precautions. In the event of a tornado, staying in buildings such as apartments and trailers can be risky. College students, in particular, should always some kind of safety plan. Auburn Public Safety Director, Bill James, suggested those who live in non-sturdy structures, such as mobile homes, should try to get out when they hear warnings. James said the safest places to go are those made of concrete and steel.
“A lot of the people that live in the trailer parks out on Wire Road will go to the vet school just because you have a lot more of a sturdy structure there,” James said. “Some of the parks also have a more permanent structure at their office, and if that’s as far as you can get, then at least you get there.”
Once a tornado warning has been issued, those who live on the upper floors of apartments should try to get to a lower floor or the complex clubhouse if possible. The Auburn University Department of Public Safety and Security recommends staying away from windows and doors to prevent injury from glass or other flying objects and also using heavy items to protect your head. Lauren Massey, senior in finance, lives at The Grove apartment complex where and she and her roommates have a self-designated place to go during tornado warnings.
“We decided that when there is a tornado warning, we will go to my closet,” Massey said. “It’s the only room in our apartment that doesn’t have an outside wall.”
Once there are signs of severe weather, it’s always a good idea to be watchful and cautious. Auburn University established an efficient alert system to keep students up-to-date with the weather conditions. This system includes AU Alert messages, tone alert radios on campus and a weather monitoring radar system, which tracks storms across Alabama. Lee County also has outdoor tornado sirens that signal tornado warnings. Along with listening for the sirens, you should also keep an eye on the news and listen to the radio. More recently, phone apps have been a useful tool to stay updated with the weather, such as The Weather Channel app. Both tornado watches and warnings should be taken seriously.
“During a tornado watch, it’s business as usual on campus, but everyone should stay alert for changes in the weather and prepare to seek shelter should a warning be issued,” said Susan McCallister, associate director of the Department of Public Safety and Security.
The University also provides shelter during severe weather conditions to those who need it. Greene Hall on Wire Road and the University library are both open for students, employees and visitors. For more information about tornado safety and risk management visit the Department of Public and Security page on Auburn University’s website.
(11/14/14 2:56pm)
While ROTC members make up a large number of students at the University, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is a branch of the military that falls under the radar at Auburn.
Jake Shaw, chief of operations for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary University Programs and physical therapist at EAMC, said because the branches of ROTC fall under the department of defense in the U.S. government and the Coast Guard falls under the department of Homeland Security, there is no connection in that way between the two programs on campus.
The Coast Guard program at the University is an auxiliary program, which means all participation in the program is on a volunteer basis.
"It's a way for college students to be a part of the Coast Guard while they're in school," said Landon Elliot, Flotilla Commander and City of Auburn police officer. "This is great because they don't have to go away to an academy or boot camp."
Students and participants of the Coast Guard Auxiliary program are given responsibilities right away.
"They can come in and practice leadership and use leadership immediately, which is something other branches of military might not offer right off the bat," Elliot said.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary program started nationally seven years ago and was started at the University by Shaw, four years ago.
So far, members of the program have travelled to Dolphin Island, Lake Martin and Tuscaloosa, during the 2011 tornadoes, to help with active duty in those areas.
"After our training, we will be able to help if a tornado comes," said John Matechak, Auburn University deputy student leader and senior in mechanical engineering and German. "We'll be the first-responders and go out and help people if they need it. We're that part of the government and part of the community where we see a need and want to help out."
The Auburn Coast Guard Auxiliary program also helped with search and rescue, clearing roads and volunteering with the Auburn firefighters when tornados came through Auburn.
"There's a lot of hands-on experience where you can really see the impact you make," said Andy Husted, vice Flotilla commander and City of Auburn firefighter.
Elliot said some problems the program faces are not having an ocean to readily practice in.
The Coast Guard University program is open to anyone who wants to serve, and the program is always looking for more members.
"I think people looking for an organization like this to be a part of, first turn to ROTC because that's all they've ever heard of and not Coast Guard because we're not as well known," Elliot said. "This is something for people who are looking for what the ROTC can provide, but can find it in the Coast Guard University program."
Husted said the program is also for people with servant hearts who want to make a difference in their community.
"There are so many opportunities in this organization that are not military-related at all," Husted said. "You can get internships and study the effects of an oil spill because that's something the Coast Guard deals with and there are internships available all throughout the country."
Carl Fox, junior in fitness, performance and conditioning, said he hopes to continue his Coast Guard career after graduation.
"Coast Guard runs in my family," Fox said. "My dad is a chief in the Coast Guard and I really want to be a part of the Coast Guard one day, whether enlisted or officer."
Elliot reminds people interested in joining that no military service is required after graduation.
"It's really want you want to be in the Coast Guard Auxiliary is what you put into it," Elliot said.
For more information, contact Elliot through email, landon.elliot@cgauxnet.us or through phone, (334) 703-4368.
(10/10/13 6:45pm)
On Oct. 17, from 6-9 p.m. the Lake Martin Area United Way will host its first fashion show in Alexander City.
Judith March designer Stephanie Carter will be showcasing exclusive first looks from her 2014 spring collection at the Shoppes of Queen's Attic.
A trunk show featuring Carter's popular game day dresses will follow with wine and hors d'oeuvres from local eateries. All proceeds from ticket sales and the trunk show will go to the United Way to benefit the area.
In the past two years, Tallapoosa County has suffered from many tornadoes, and July brought the Russell Corporation's announcement to lay off more than half of its Alexander City employees and threaten the city's financial stability.
For the United Way, these events meant resorting to innovative methods to raise money for services such as Meals on Wheels and the Boys and Girls Clubs.
Luckily for philanthropists and fashionistas alike, initiatives coordinator of the Lake Martin Area United Way, Stephan Tomlin, has remained friends with the Judith March creator since they graduated from Troy State.
Tomlin recalled Carter's beginning selling clothes to sorority houses, which blossomed into the fashion powerhouse that it is today.
Because of her humble start and tenacity to achieve her goals, Carter has made a point of supporting charities.
To Carter, fashion and charity go hand-in-hand.
Carter said her goal is to boost confidence.
"Doing the right thing makes you feel more confident as a woman," Carter said.
When Tomlin asked her to bring designs to the benefit, Carter didn't hesitate.
"It warms your heart when somebody cares enough about other people to be able to give back," said Sharon Fuller, executive director of the Lake Martin Area United Way.
During the event, guests will mingle with the designer and the CEO of Southern Fashion House, Christy Carlisle Smith.
In August, childhood friends Carter and Smith developed Southern Fashion House in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. to be parent company to Carter's lines Judith March, Deja Vu and Jacque & Janis, as well as two labels which are still in development.
Smith, an Auburn apparel design alumna and native of Troy, spent 10 years working in New York City eventually becoming the senior designer for couture eveningwear label Kay Unger.
With only high praise for the Auburn University Department of Consumer and Design sciences, Smith encouraged students.
"Take opportunities that are given to you," Smith said. "You have to take those chances and just let life take you places."
She said the call from Carter to start the fashion house was a surprise, but she is happy to be back in the South.
"To me fashion is starting to go more Southern anyway," Carter said, referring to the latest runway trends which employ lace detailing and chambray fabric as well as a movement toward designs that are simultaneously romantic and casual.
In addition to Southern Fashion House labels, attendees can expect to shop among booths set up by more than 10 Alexander City retailers plus Fringe Consignment Boutique from Auburn.
Tickets to the event cost $25 and include drinks and food.
They may be purchased at Fringe Consignment Boutique at 2436 E. University Drive in Auburn.
Call the Lake Martin Area United Way at 256-329-3600 for volunteer opportunities and directions to Queen's Attic. Visit their Facebook event page for more information.
(09/23/13 2:55pm)
Pikachu is not real. Many students have to remind themselves of this when they see one in their class.
Attempts to capture said creature with spherical, capsule-like devices will prove futile and may result in disciplinary action. This is because Pikachu is a student.
Individuals who dress up as characters from movies, books, anime, manga, cartoons, videos games, television shows or comic books, are known as cosplayers. Wigs, suits, props and excessive clothing, or the lack thereof, are all signs indicating you are looking at a cosplayer. Students who participate at Auburn are probably members of Auburn University's Cosplayers' Association.
Auburn's Cosplayers' Association was founded in fall 2011 by current president Sky Acton, junior in English education and creative writing.
"It's getting to be a celebrity for a short amount of time and it's very empowering," Acton said. "It's the only time when everyone knows your name without you saying a word."
However, these cosplayers do more than simply attend meetings and go to class in costume. Cosplayers travel to conventions to meet, and socialize with, other cosplayers. Commonly known conventions, such as Comic-Con, hosted many cosplayers. However, there are many other conventions popular in the cosplaying community, such as Dragoncon in Atlanta, and Hamacon in Huntsville.
Acton described what it's like to experience a cosplay convention.
"Lots of people. Lots of people getting the chance to be whatever they want to be," Acton said. "There's a lot of excitement. There are cameras flashing, and people are asking for your picture."
Cosplaying may have the potential to be much more than simply fun though.
David Railey, sophomore in software engineering at Southern Union Community College, and member of Auburn's Cosplayers' Association, is also a member of the Alabama Ghostbusters, a Ghostbuster fan group that cosplays for charity.
"We do walks and raise money for various charities, like the multiple sclerosis walks. We also raised $3,000 for tornado relief when the tornado hit Tuscaloosa," Railey said. "We are geeks for good."
Unfortunately, not everyone is as accepting of cosplayers.
Brittany Taylor, senior in microbiology, said she formed a passion for cosplaying from her love of Halloween and her enjoyment of anime and video games.
"Some of my friends are really into cosplay and they're also really into anime and video games," Taylor said. "I have some other friends, they like those things too, but they're not very out with it. Some of my other friends laughed when I introduced them to cosplay."
Taylor said friends and strangers alike gave glances and looks to make her feel singled out.
"They make me feel like I'm extremely weird, like I was not normal," Taylor said. "I wouldn't say I'm normal, but there is a good kind of different, like you're unique; and a bad kind, like you don't belong anywhere."
Many cosplayers said they felt as though they are being unjustly stereotyped.
"I think the biggest misconception is that cosplay or conventions are only for people who aren't attractive or are super nerdy or the outcasts of society," Acton said. "But I've seen some pretty good-looking Spartans with six-packs... so if that's not attractive, then I don't want to go with what everyone is talking about."
Luckily, the Cosplayers' Association offers a safe haven for many of Auburn's cosplayers.
"People here are very friendly," said Ross Spears, senior in software engineering. "Everyone here is one big family. If there is an issue with someone, everyone is there to support that one person."
Auburn's cosplayers apparently formed a tight-knit group, where they feel at home and are able to be themselves.
"They're crazy. That's the best way I can put it," said Aric Hall, senior in sociology, "They are the most crazy, insane, all-over-the-wall people; but they are also the people I love most at Auburn."
(05/30/13 5:44pm)
Without a doubt, the news and media affect people.
(05/25/13 2:14am)
Although hundreds of miles away from Auburn, the tornado that hit Moore, Okla. on Monday, May 20 was far too close to home for Carson Stroud, junior in aviation management.
(05/15/13 11:45pm)
Where is away? When we throw away garbage, where does it go? Is away a far off place, or is away somewhere near our homes and water supplies?
(04/11/13 10:14pm)
A tornado warning for AU and Lee County has expired as of 9:15 p.m., but a tornado warning is in effect until 10 p.m.
(03/18/13 10:00pm)
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Auburn University and Lee County until 9 p.m. today.Students and faculty are advised to monitor the weather and be prepared to seek shelter if a tornado warning is issued.Severe thunderstorms have also been spotted in the area. Residents are advised to stay indoors and be prepared in case of an emergency situation.A press release from the University designates shelter areas and emergency procedures for tornadoes:“If a TORNADO WATCH is issued, Greene Hall and Draughon Library will be opened for those who do not have another place to seek shelter. Pay attention to weather alerts and take shelter immediately if any tornado warnings are issued. Remember that classes and university operations are automatically suspended for the duration of all tornado warnings affecting campus.If a TORNADO WARNING affecting the Auburn University campus is issued, all components of the AU ALERT system will be activated (including sirens; indoor public address; desktop alerting; tone alert and NOAA weather radios; and email, text and voice messages)."Additional safety measures for severe weather and campus emergencies can be found at auburn.edu/emergency.Counties also included in the watch are: Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, Randolph, Russell and Tallapoosa.
(03/05/13 7:45pm)
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Auburn University until 8 p.m.
(02/15/13 12:17am)
Alabamians know to react fast when a tornado siren is signaled. Mother Nature isn't to be messed with in the South, where tornados will tear through any town at a moments notice.
The University has taken every precaution and developed severe weather plans over time to keep everyone on campus safe.
"I feel very comfortable with our preparations for severe weather," said Susan Mccallister, associate director of public safety information and education. "We are a storm-ready university, which is a recognition by the National Weather Service."
To receive recognition, the National Weather Service first reviewed the University's severe weather policies and plan, and then visited campus to review all aspects of its preparedness. Once those were deemed safe and met standards, the University was officially recognized as storm ready.
A stroll through any building on campus will display the University's preparedness, as people will notice green, black and white signs that identify areas of shelter. Also, everyone on campus is aware of AU Alert, which was updated through a new company, Rave Mobile Safety, and ensures speedy transmission of alert messages to students and faculty.
Prior to the update, AU Alert wasn't the quickest method of releasing messages and students weren't as trusting of the system, said Mccallister. However, since the update, everyone on campus will receive notifications within a few minutes of a warning, without delay.
"People can get quick warning when there is a tornado warning," Mccallister said. "If a warning is issued and we're in the path of storm, they need to take action immediately, and don't question it."
Once an alert is signaled, students and faculty are encouraged to reach the nearest area of shelter on campus and wait until everything is clear. If students are riding Tiger Transit, then bus drivers will stop the vehicle and lead students to the nearest building for shelter, as they have been trained to do. Those living off campus need to seek shelter in a windowless room on a bottom floor, basement. Mccallister explained that the library and Green Hall are two areas on campus that are open during severe weather.
Alert messages will provide enough time for people to travel to those locations before weather strikes. However, it would be incorrect to assume that every student knows what to do, especially those who come from areas that aren't affected by tornados.
Alexandra Garcia, senior in applied mathematics and Florida native, said she didn't know anything about tornados prior to coming to Auburn. In south Florida, they are accustomed to hurricanes, for which ample warning is provided.
Students living on campus, such as Garcia, are required to learn about severe weather procedures during mandatory hall meetings in the fall, said Kim Trupp, University director of housing.
Mccallister encourages students to have a plan of action before a storm strikes, have necessary equipment and supplies ready for an emergency, and if possible, wear a helmet of any kind when taking shelter for increased protection.
Students who aren't familiar with severe weather procedures or how to prepare can learn more at auburn. edu/administration/public_safety/emergency/.
(02/17/13 10:39pm)
Wickedly delicious pickles. Well, wickedly delicious pickles, okra, relish, pepper rings and pepper strips, to be exact.
(01/30/13 2:13pm)
A tornado watch has been issued for Auburn University until 7 p.m.
(01/10/13 7:25pm)
In the last several years, we've seen drought in the South, tornadoes in the South and Midwest, floods in the Mississippi River basin, hurricanes Irene and Sandy in the East, wildfires in the West and thousands of high temperature daily records across the U.S.
Munich Re, the largest reinsurance company, stated North America has experienced almost a five-fold increase in weather disasters over the past three decades and such events will continue.
What to do? Increased use of alternative sources of energy will help.
Using job-creating incentive funds Alabama voters approved in November, production facilities for solar energy equipment could become a reality.
Installations utilizing solar energy are already operational at the Lee County Justice Center, the Opelika City Hall and at Ft. Rucker.
If Alabama law makers would modify the tax structure, solar equipment and installation would be more attractive for builders and consumers. The production of solar energy in Alabama would create manufacturing and installation jobs and also improve human health by reducing air and water pollution. It could also help reduce the frequency and severity of the weather events mentioned above.
We really ought to get on with it, without delay.
(12/08/12 7:05pm)
The first time I will step foot in the Auburn Arena, I will be graduating.
(10/01/12 6:42pm)
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Lee County until 8 p.m.
