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The State Press

Rivalry Roadtrips Coordinates Package Deal for Away Games

Another season of Auburn Football is upon us, bringing with it plenty of opportunities to visit conference rivals on their home turf.A weekend following the Tigers out of state can prove costly, both financially and in terms of planning.However, companies exist to lighten that load.One such company is Rivalry Roadtrips, an organization that handles accommodations such as transportation, food and lodging for select road games through the schedules of 16 division-one football programs.Rivalry Roadtrips, LLC formed with one goal in mind- to help college students follow their beloved sports teams to the biggest road games, said the Rivalry Roadtrips Web site."It is our mission to arrange and offer hassle-free trips that are easy on the wallet, but bring a first-class experience," the company owners said.The company's ambition seems to be to satisfy its customers in every way."By partnering with luxury charter bus companies, hotel groups, bars and restaurants, we are able to make the most of your money all while bringing you a trip that you won't forget," said the Rivalry Roadtrips Web site.The program has its roots at the University of Iowa where, in 2001, a group of students organized a trip to see the Hawkeyes play the Wisconsin Badgers.They took their experience and created the Rivalry Roadtrips, working with companies such as Windstar Lines charter buses, the InterContinental Hotels Group, the Wyndham Hotel Group and Jimmy John's to create packages for fans wishing to attend away football games.Originally encompassing the Big Ten conference only, the institution has spread to cater to the Big 12 and the SEC, specifically Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee."Rivalry Roadtrips is a great way for anyone, whether they are alumni, an auburn student or a fan, to enjoy an affordable, hassle-free trip while cheering on the Auburn Tigers," said Kellie Camuso, a junior in public relations, who serves as an Auburn representative for Rivalry Roadtrips.


The Auburn Plainsman

Audiology Doctoral Students Take Hearing Aids to Guatemala

In August, six audiology doctoral students were sent to Guatemala to fit children with hearing aids.They went in conjunction with Sandra Clark-Lewis, clinical professor of audiology in the Department of Communication Disorders, who was awarded $14,749 from Auburn University for her previous efforts with children needing hearing aids.Her project, which won the award, was called "Auburn Audiology Outreach in Guatemala" and provided auditory screening to 500 children at three inner-city schools in Guatemala.The College of Liberal Arts provided an additional $3,800 to fund the August trip.Martha Miller, Department of Communication Disorders alumna, accompanied the group to Guatemala, bringing with her 40 digital hearing aids."This is phenomenal, humbling experience," Miller said.On the first day of the group's project, they tested 92 children for hearing loss and equipped three with hearing aids.Testing in Guatemala takes adaptation."The school had put up two portable sound buffering walls which helped with the noise," Miler said.During the third day of audiology testing, the struggles of working in Guatemala became evident to Miller."This is truly audiology, commando style," Miller said.

The Auburn Plainsman

Wristbands Spread School Spirit, Contribute to Scholarships, Charities

The Auburn/Alabama rivalry has meant many things to many people over the years, from bar fights to massive advertising campaigns to multicolored Jell-O in elementary school cafeterias across the Southeast.However, the schools' bickering may soon lead to more worthy causes than bragging rights, namely money for scholarship funds and several charities.Bands4life.com is an organization dedicated to serving charities through the sale of promotional wristbands. The percentage of donation depends upon the cause that the bands endorse.Over the coming months, the site will sponsor its "Rivalry Kickoff Challenge," which pits the Tigers and Tide, the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners, the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines and the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs against one another in sales of wristbands."Bands 4 life is focused on supporting 4 (hence the "4" in our name) types of charities: helping children, fighting cancer, helping animals and helping veterans," said the official Web site.

The Auburn Plainsman

Agronomy Students Debate

Chrissy Weaver, a senior in agronomy and soils, won first place at the 2009 Agronomy Club Speech Contest.Weaver was one of four competitors in the contest, held in Funchess Hall on Tuesday night.

The Auburn Plainsman

Simply, Go Green

Recently, many people are fascinated by "going green." There are some simple ways you can give back to the environment without giving an arm and a leg. "We need to all cut back a little and use resources more efficiently," said Emma Mulvaney, communications outreach coordinator of sustainability.

The Auburn Plainsman

CLA Reads

This fall, the College of Liberal Arts is hosting CLA Reads!, a semester long program of discussions and seminars focused on "The Sharp Shooting Blues" by Lewis Nordan.This new program is an attempt to build community in the college between students and faculty.

The Auburn Plainsman

UPC Block Party Events Move to Student Center

Students filled the Student Center ballroom last Thursday night, Aug. 20, for the University Program Council's Block Party.Free food, inflatable games and goody bags were among the attractions which brought students to the event.Holly Harrington, a senior in finance, and Julia Steinhilber, a freshman in graphic design, both said the free food got them to come out to the event this year.However, the main goal of the Block Party has been to show freshmen how to get involved with more than 200 various organizations on Auburn's campus."It's important for freshmen to know what Auburn has to offer and how to get involved," said Nolyn Hartley, UPC member and a junior in international trade.

The Auburn Plainsman

Tailgaters Now Rent Spots This Football Season

The Auburn University Student Center is offering football fans the option to tailgate in a new way this 2009 season.This year is the first time people will be able to rent luxury accommodations in the Student Center that include balconies, patio spaces and indoor suites for tailgating purposes during home football games Saturdays this fall."Indoor tailgating at the Auburn University Student Center is such an exciting tailgating opportunity," said Andrea Conti, supervisor of Reservations Department Division of Student Affairs.

The Auburn Plainsman

Same Old Foy, Brand New Options

Foy Student Union is set to reopen this fall, complete with renovations that will allow it to compete with the Student Center for culinary diversity.Largely unused after the opening of the new, yet-to-be-named facility last fall, speculation as to the fate of Foy has been widespread.The War Eagle Cafeteria, a fixture for decades, will debut halfway through the semester with several new venues, each of which will be applicable to student meal plans."We are in the process of securing restaurants for the Foy Union," said SGA President Jacob Watkins.

The Auburn Plainsman

New Theta Kites Fly High

Kappa Alpha Theta's numbers soared as the new kites went through their first formal recruitment since the sorority returned to Auburn's campus last spring."We worked on recruitment all summer to prepare," President Catherine Araszkiewicz said.Without the established traditions, Theta girls still impressed district and national chapters.

The Auburn Plainsman

Games on the Plains a Hit for Welcome Week

The first week of school can be an exciting time for everyone. For new students, it's a time to learn about Auburn traditions like getting lost in Haley Center, paying a ridiculous cover at SkyBar and, of course, the 200 percent humidity.To ease the transition from high school to college, the SGA created Welcome Week.

The Auburn Plainsman

Welcome Week Hosts Video Game Tournament

With the twiddling of thumbs and the intermixing of legs, three first-place students took home $60 in the "So you think you've got game?" video game challenge.Students competed in video games such as Madden, Halo and Dance, Dance Revolution at the Student Center game room Aug.

The Auburn Plainsman

UPC Announces Fall Events

As fall rolls onto the plains, the University Program Council's lineup is sure to have something for every student.Sunday, Aug. 16, the UPC will host the first of the outdoor movies, "I Love You Man," on Cater Lawn.UPC's Speakers and Comedians council will bring Daniel Tosh, comedian and star of Comedy Central's "Tosh.0," to the Student Act on Sept. 3, while Sept. 18 will see the first of the semester's Tiger Nights.