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Auburn Ranks Fourth in SEC National Merit Scholarship Report

January 28

The Plains have gotten brighter in 2009 as Auburn has nearly doubled its enrollment of National Merit Scholars.Auburn now has 64 National Merit Scholars enrolled, which ranks fourth in the Southeastern Conference and 34th nationally, according to a new National Merit Scholarship Annual Report.

Students Hula Hoop on Campus

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | January 28

Most everyone enjoys spending a sunny afternoon playing catch or grilling out, but for some Auburn students, those afternoons are best spent hula hooping."It's just something to do when you're bored or it's a pretty day," said Katherine Kimbrell, freshman in nutrition.

Students give approval to Village

By Derek Lacey / WRITER | January 28

There's no place like home, and there are no dorms like The Village.After one semester of housing Auburn students, the new facility proves to be the favorite for on-campus living.With the choice of two, three or four bedroom suites, students said these residences are like apartments, only better."It's just like an apartment, really, but you don't have to worry about utilities or water, it's just all in one price," said Jake Padgett, freshman in bio-systems engineering.The separated rooms, open living area and kitchen define The Village, while the other housing areas on campus, The Hill and The Quad, have two types of rooms: single ordouble.

AU Band honors Sarah Anderson with benefit concert

By Drew Thompson / ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR | January 28

Opelika Performing Arts Center hosted the Sarah Anderson Memorial Scholarship Benefit Concert Monday, Jan.

Dorms recycle, reduce for Sustain-a-Bowl

By Sarah Phillips / STAFF REPORTER | January 28

For the next four weeks, many dorm rooms may appear darker than usual with the recycling bins filled to the rim.Monday, Feb.

SGA writes amendments to Auburn's constitution

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | January 28

Come Feb. 18 any Auburn student who has ever wanted more of a say in what goes on at Auburn will finally have their chance.The Student Government Association has written amendments to the Auburn University constitution, and the final decision of whether it passes is up to the students.Sarah Molony, the SGA vice president, said the proposed updates to the constitution will benefit both SGA and the student body."The updates will be beneficial because not only will it give more students an opportunity to be involved in SGA, but it will bring more accountability for the SGA and all of the Student Activity Projects," Molony said.SGA President Jacob Watkins said the constitutional updates will reconfigure the judicial branch of SGA so students may voice their opinions in an easier fashion, thereby making the members of the branch more accountable for their actions.Molony said some parts of the University Code of Law will receive an update because the practices named in the code are out of date.

ROTC weathers rain for ceremony

By Jessica Shaddix / WRITER | January 28

Fifteen midshipmen from Auburn and Tuskegee Navy ROTC mustered themselves up early Saturday, Jan.

Sisters collect used clothes

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | January 28

Some people may be too busy to give a helping hand for a worthy cause, but most people should be able to give a T-shirt.Auburn's National Panhellenic Conference is collecting used clothes, books, shoes, linens, small appliances and other miscellaneous items to benefit The King's Ranch and Hannah Homes.Christina Huckaby, sophomore in early childhood education, said she thinks The King's Ranch and Hannah Homes are great organizations to support."For over 30 years, the King's Ranch and Hannah Homes, located in North Alabama, have been home to hundreds of youth, women and children seeking refuge, hope and help from abuse, neglect, abandonment and homelessness," Huckaby said.NPHC was excited to do something to benefit the two charities, said Meredith MacLean, sophomore in supply chain management and vice president of finance for Auburn's NPHC."We thought it was a great opportunity," MacLean said.

Fraternity steps up to assist Haitian victims

By Brittany Lawless / WRITER | January 28

Omega Psi Phi, a fraternity at Auburn, is encouraging students, professors and the Auburn - Opelika community to support victims of the Haitian earthquake by making donations to assist in the relief efforts.The fraternity developed, and is in the process of executing, a plan that could change the lives of victims in Haiti.Skylar Forney, senior in French international business trade and an active member of Omega Psi Phi, organized the operation."We have gone to 15 local businesses to try and get donations and ask if they can support our cause for the survivors in Haiti," Forney said, "and we have about 20 more businesses to go."The 17 active brothers of Omega Psi Phi are collecting money and nonperishables as well as securing local business donations for an event they are conducting, Jan.

Extension Reaches Kids

By Drew Thompson / ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR | January 28

An Auburn University employee created a child-safe learning environment that will be used nationally by teachers and educational centers.Tony Cook, extension specialist of 4-H Science & Technology Literacy, has created Kids Extension News Network.KXNN, within extension.

Chocolate inspires 5K

By Jessica Shaddix / WRITER | January 28

Most women love chocolate. There's just something about it that draws them in.The Women's Resource Center hosted a 5K run Jan.

Belly dancing entices students

By Jillian Clair/ Staff Writer | January 28

While searching for a physical education credit during class registration last semester, students stumbled across a class they did not expect to find.Belly dancing.

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January 28

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is hosting the Tradition/Innovation art exhibit from Jan.

Project cleans up accidents

By Drew Thompson / ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR | January 28

"Project Underpants" has collected 1,486 pair of underpants under the help of Stuart Pope, assistant professor of nursing and faculty staff adviser for the student nursing association.Head Start first started gathering underpants a few years ago when they kept hearing reports of children having accidents in their pants at school.Then those children didn't have any clothes to change into, Pope said.There has been one instance where a boy kept using the bathroom in his pants during school just because he wanted to get a new pair of underwear, Pope said."I think someone may have just given him a whole pack so that he wouldn't have to do that anymore," Pope said.Project underpants is an annual event, said Les- lie Day, senior in nursing."I don't think it has been very successful in the past," Day said.Karen Lusk, Opelika Head Start educator and trainer, said this year has been the best so far for"Project Underpants." "We literally had (baskets) all over campus," Pope said.

Experts offer study advice for students

By Katie Ehrhart / WRITER | January 28

Parents often tell their children, "if you dream it, you can achieve it."However, there is a little thing called reality, and reality brings a quick reminder that it is never easy.Nonetheless, success and dreams are attainable with the right attitude and approach, especially when it comes to school.Every student has his or her own opinion on what that recipe for success is."Get to know your professor and make sure you have good time management," says Brent Culver, junior in public relations.The importance of time management is reiterated by first year mechanical engineering graduate student Kyle Malinowski, who says time management and not being afraid to ask questions are the most important keys to academic success.Mandy Cauthen, graduate student in landscape architecture, advises students to not miss class and always try and reviewnotes after class.

Students flock to Raptor Center

By Drew Thompson / ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR | January 28

Even though football season is over, Nova and Spirit, along with many other predatory birds, are still pampered and rehabilitated by the technicians at the Southeastern Raptor Center.SRC takes in 200 to 275 birds a year, said Liz Crandall, raptor rehabilitation specialist.Crandall helps Dr. Jamie Bellah, SRC director and head veterinarian, with coordinating the volunteers and managing medical cases in the rehabilitation section."Most of (the injured birds are) present for trauma," Crandall said.

SGA Wraps Up Academic Integrity Week

By Nicole Emmett / WRITER | January 25

In light of Academic Integrity Week, the Student Government Association welcomed Donald McCabe, professor of management and global business from Rutgers University, to speak in the Student Center Ballroom last Wednesday.McCabe has done extensive research on college cheating, surveying more than175,000 students in the last 19 years.

FarmHouse Appeals Hazing Charges

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | January 21

The Alpha Zeta chapter of FarmHouse is no longer under University suspension after appealing the sanction to University officials Dec.