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Students leave their thoughts on bathroom walls

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | September 24

It's a scenario with which we're all familiar. One steps into a bathroom stall in Haley Center, sits down and is suddenly surrounded by a collage of Sharpie and ballpoint pen.Obscenities, anthropomorphic genitalia and reasons why one set of Greek letters is better than another can be found on the walls of public restrooms throughout Auburn.This is a common occurrence on many college campuses, but why students choose the latrine to launch personal attacks and display a lacking knowledge of the human anatomy remains a mystery to some."Restrooms are chosen because they are a public venue," said Greg Weaver, an Auburn associate professor of sociology.

Lyricist Lounge showcases poetic talents

By Justin Ward/ Staff Writer | September 24

Last Thursday night offered a chance for Auburn students to showcase their lyrical creativity.The event, co-hosted by Auburn's NAACP and BJPSA chapters, lasted just more than an hour and a half and featured the creative stylings of more than 10 singers, rappers, dancers, poets and performers.

Fabian Cousteau speaks out against water pollution, resulting problems

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | September 24

A member of the royal family of marine biology graced The Hotel at Auburn University and Conference Center Tuesday, speaking on the dangers of errant pollution of Earth's waters.Fabian Cousteau, grandson of filmmaker, conservationist and diving innovator Jacques-Yves Cousteau and son of Jean-Michel Cousteau, an explorer and environmentalist in his own right, visited Auburn with a presentation regarding his work and the condition of the world's oceans."We are lucky to be able to escape to a watery depth of discovery," Cousteau said.He began the presentation showing photos summarizing his life, titled "Growing Up With Gills." He related his first dive at the age of four, first voyage at seven and scraping barnacles off the hull of his grandfather's ship.From then on it was all business, as Cousteau detailed the level of pollution taking place in the waterways of the world.

CDS helps students compose better resumes

By Jordan Dailey/ Assistant Campus Editor | September 24

Compacting four years worth of collegiate activities and experiences into a single-page document may sound difficult, but Career Development Services makes it its job to help students with resume and other job-finding issues.The CDS resume Review Fair, near the Foy Information Desk, was an opportunity for students to speak to a career counselor about resume and resume building.

Speaker outlines slavery in Constitution

By Jordan Dailey/ Assistant Campus Editor | September 24

Slavery may have been made illegal in 1808, but our Constitution played a role in supporting the institution until 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.Kelly M.

Kellie Pickler rocks the Plains

By Mary-Glenn Smith/ Staff Writer | September 24

The rain didn't seem to deter Kellie Pickler fans from having a great time Friday night at UPC's fall concert.Auburn students packed the rained-soaked lawn outside the Student Center singing along to Pickler's hit songs like "Red High Heels" and "Best Days of Your Life."A former contestant on American Idol, Pickler kept the audience entertained with her popular chart-topping songs along with her latest single, "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You."Pickler even threw out "War Eagle" a few times while on stage to keep the screaming fans energized and involved with the show."She knows how to please a crowd," said Sarah McCullough, a junior in animal science product management from Clanton.Pickler welcomed fans by coming offstage during the show, walking through the audience, shaking hands, waving and talking to members of the crowd."The concert was amazing," McCullough said.

Hazing activities defined for greeks

By Jenn Huynh / STAFF WRITER | September 24

To some, hazing is a familiar word.Hazing is defined as any activity that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers them regardless of a person's willingness to participate.Researchers from hazingstudy.org found that 5 percent of students knew they were being hazed.For National Hazing Prevention Week, a webinar was hosted for universities around the country to define situations as hazing."The webinar was offered to support the education effort of Auburn University regarding hazing and to support National Hazing Prevention Week," said Paul Kittle, director of Greek Life.

Muslim Association celebrates Eid

By Michael Hansberry/ Staff Writer | September 21

Students from the Auburn University Muslim Association came out last Sunday to celebrate Eid, which marks the end of Ramadan.Ramadan is based on the cycles of the moon, and this year it placed the end of Ramadan on Sept. 20, two weeks earlier than the previous year.

Study Abroad Fair Provides New Opportunities for Students

By Helen Northcutt / INTRIGUE EDITOR | September 21

The Study Abroad Fair was held last Wednesday in the Haley Center Lobby. Multiple study abroad vendors, representing Auburn Faculty-Led programs, answered questions about studying abroad while encouraging students to experience different cultures across the world."Study abroad in general opens up a totally new world," Sarah Frances Webb, a spokesperson for Academic Programs International said. "You are not only out of your comfort zone, you are experiencing a new culture, a new language possibly and it really just puts the world in a bigger perspective. Being able to travel abroad and seeing different issues in other countries really changes student's lives."

SGA Sponsors Blood Drive

By Callie Garrett / Assistant Intrigue Editor | September 21

Auburn's Student Government Association held a blood drive Wednesday and Thursday with a total of 481 pints of blood donated, saving 1,443 lives.

Tailgating Vandalism on Campus

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | September 17

With the advent of "The Tailgate Guys" and other hands-free tailgating services on The Plains, independent pre-game festivities on campus are quickly becoming passe.It may be destruction of private property rather than the convenience factor that is causing this Auburn tradition to lose ground.

Band Marches With Record Membership

By Brittany Cosby / Campus Editor | September 17

The crowd is silenced as the drum major steps onto field, walking with precision and leading the band into Jordan-Hare Stadium. This is the Auburn University Marching Band.Though it is built on tradition, the band has increased in size. The AUMB boasts its largest membership in history this fall with 380 members, beating their previous record of 372 in 2006.

Under Armour Story Hits Home

By Brittany Cosby / Campus Editor | September 17

Auburn students and fans packed into the Hotel of Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center to hear the true Cinderella story of Under Armour told by its creator.Kevin Plank is the Chairman and CEO of Under Armour and started the business in his basement in late 1995.The brand now earns more than $700 million globally a year and is still growing."Under Armour is a story of hope, because that is what entrepreneurship is," Plank said.

Graduation Fair Creates 'One-Stop Shop' for Seniors

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | September 17

The Auburn Alumni Association's graduation fair is occupying the front entrance of Haley Center this week, filled with opportunities and information for graduating seniors.TGIF... Graduation (Thank Goodness It's Finally...Graduation) will host representatives from various insurance, diploma frame, class ring and career service companies.

University, City Webcams Showcase Auburn

By Natalie Wade / MANAGING EDITOR | September 17

Student's need not worry about missing the big Toomer's Corner celebration if they don't feel up to the trek or crowd, because they can catch it online.Auburn University has 11 webcams in place across campus and one is specifically aimed at the celebration corner of town."A lot of universities have one or two webcams and we offer many more, and some of the ones on our webcam page are run by other groups," said Mike Clardy, director of University communications.Clardy said the webcam facing Samford Lawn has been in place for more than 10 years, and the Web site hosting the 11 webcams was launched more than two years ago."We went around campus and looked at the different vantage points and tried to come up with some places that would really show off campus," Clardy said.One reason for the site is to attract perspective students."There are lots of reasons to have webcams, and there are lots of different audiences for webcams," Clardy said.

Volunteer Fair Commemorates 9/11 by Helping Students Serve

By Jordan Dailey/ Assistant Campus Editor | September 17

President Barack Obama declared Sept. 11 the National Day of Service and Remembrance.In honor of this day, the Office of University Outreach hosted a volunteer fair Sept.

Annual Fast-A-Thon for Ramadan

By Brittany Cosby / Campus Editor | September 17

Students went hungry for the Ramadan Fast-A-Thon hosted by the Muslim Students' Association Thursday, Sept.

Seminar Teaches the 'Taylor Rule'

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | September 17

Students and professors from the Department of Economics might leave the recession richer than the rest of us.Emory University professor Tanya Molodtsova came to The Plains Sept.