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Credit Needed for the Overachievers

By Lindsey Davidson / Editor | September 17

Graduation is closer than I would like to accept.In this period of denial, the 'hopeless' job search has begun with the never-ending tweaking of resumes and cover letters.I've been reflecting on the classes that I've taken to prepare me for the scary real world.As a journalist, are those 30 extra elective hours required really going to help me land that first job?I would complain about how much I hate history 1010, and that's why I've waited till now to take it, but those classes are needed to make us well-rounded.Or something like that.Class skipper, I am, I will admit, but my devotion is to another aspect I know will be beneficial to my career.The best advantage this university has given me academically is working an internship into my curriculum.But I also feel I wouldn't have succeeded without the experience I had with this 'extra-curricular' activity.Gogue has a vision of wanting all students to study abroad or receive a touch of cultural influence before their diploma is handed over.I couldn't agree more.It's the external experiences in college that make students excel.The wasted hours could go toward the activities that a large quantity of students devote their entire four years to instead of classes that will only exist on a transcript.More classes should intertwine with the student projects and credit given to the workers.The science labs have students who don't see the outside world just to have the chance to get into their professional schools.The engineering school gives large grants to student projects for young minds to tinker.A redesign and distribution of credit would be most beneficial for us and employers.It drives students to work more for the application and not the theory.It's just giving a little credit to the students that go above and beyond.Not everything can be taught in a classroom.

Community College Causes Conundrums

By Editorial Staff | September 10

When we heard enrollment at our local community college, Southern Union, had skyrocketed, we took pause to think about what this huge influx of students meant.It is obvious the economy is playing a large role in this student enrollment shift, as laid-off employees are returning to school to get more job training and students who can't afford the tuition here at Auburn and other universities look for less costly forms of education.Southern Union hasn't raised tuition in four or five years; Auburn raises its tuition every year.Students at Southern Union end up paying around $90 a credit hour; tuition at most of our state's major universities averages out at around $200, and that's for those students who qualify as in-state residents.

Why Public Records Matter

By Editorial Staff | September 10

We realize a change in the city of Auburn's handling of public records is not particularly exciting to most of you, but we can assure you it is vitally important and could potentially affect you.For instance, copies of fire and police reports for victims are free.

A Fear a Day Keeps the Logic Away

By Andrew Sims/Online Editor | September 3

I think this time it's noteworthy to talk about the most powerful force on this planet. One that from the beginning of recorded history, I think, we have seen the powers of fear.

Discovering the 'Auburn Family'

By Nick Van Der Linden / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR | September 3

It is days like last Thursday that make me proud to be an Auburn Tiger.I was watching the Braves- Padres game and was about to turn it off when I heard one of the announcers start to talk about SEC football.He mentioned that the SEC should once again have a great football year and that there will be a lot of excitement surrounding the conference.He then continued to say he had never been to an SEC football game and that he should probably go to see the Gators, LSU, Georgia or possibly even Ole Miss.After a short silence the other announcer said, "One word for you: Auburn!"He went on to mention that Auburn football is unlike any other SEC football Saturday.The people are friendly and you immediately feel at home, he said.Everyone respects the team and the work they do and, although winning is important, everyone has a good time either way.This was evident when even though Auburn went 5-7, we still sold out every game.Since a lot of fans already show up on Wednesdays for the game, I realized how much time people will spend in Auburn because they arrive on Wednesday, leave on Sunday and are back the next Wednesday.It is amazing that everywhere I go in the United States, when I tell people I go to Auburn, they always say how great of a school it is, how friendly the people are or how pretty the campus is, which could not be more true.There are times when I decide to walk home instead of take the bus because I never get enough of seeing the campus, hoping I have the chance to pass by Samford Hall and hear the fight song play at noon.I absolutely love seeing people just throw a frisbee around, or seeing people just lay out on the grass enjoying a beautiful day.On days like those, you realize the love that people have for this team and this school is absolutely amazing.I am originally from the Netherlands and there is no place even close to an Auburn.People there are nowhere near as friendly and the atmosphere is more gloomy because the country is so densely populated.Most students in the Netherlands will continue to live at home during their college studies and the freedom is limited.If you want to get involved in something, it's simple: get a job.

Semester Looking Up on Campus, Outside Life

By Lindsey Davidson / Editor | September 3

New year at Auburn, and I must say I am pleased with how this year is looking.This weekend is the first football game, and I am getting my new apartment ready for cooking out and a couple of brewskies before the game with all my close friends.I am going to say with Lousiana Tech, there is a W in the sack.

A New 'Rape of the Lock'

By Editorial Staff | September 3

A Web site that allows you to sell your "virgin" hair to the highest bidders.We hardly know where to begin.While HairTrader.com could be looked at as a triumph of capitalism, we choose to see it as something that, honestly, is thoroughly foolish and absurd and ripe for fodder and satire.How is hair "virginity" determined?Do we have to buy our hair a Promise Barrette to show to the world we've made a commitment to hair abstinence?If our hair has been with other hair, has it been devalued, cast out from the rest of the follicle world?Can you plead a case for your hair, pleading with some sort of cosmetological judge you only used your boyfriend's hair brush that one time because it was a special occasion?

Guest Commentary: 99 Problems on Highway 280

By Martin Morrow | September 3

We've all been there or heard the horror stories so it's easier to clear the air from the very beginning - if you've ever had to drive down Highway 280 to get to or from Auburn, then you know it's the most boring drive ever.In addition to it making you want to sock yourself in the face every five minutes in order to stay awake, the speed limit heavily decreases in several rinky-dink towns where there are more cows than people and more people than teeth.From there, you have the issue of whether to speed.I myself tend to be a grandma on the road.Even when I'm going fast it's too slow for the people around me, and yet I have managed to get speeding tickets on 280.Either way, the cops are ridiculous on that road.Yes, I know, we as law abiding citizens must adhere to the laws of the road, but come on officer, I'm bumping to T.I.

Bikes, Skateboards and Longboards... Oh My

By Editorial Staff | September 3

With so much focus on campus construction and its effects on on-campus parking, we're glad to see so many of our fellow students riding their bicycles, skateboards and longboards to campus.This a great thing and has many benefits: it's better for the environment and encourages physical fitness.We would like to encourage more people to participate in such behaviors, but there are inherent, apparent problems that come along with increased traffic of the bicycle and skateboarding variety.With bicycles, the main problem seems to be that campus already has more bicycles than it has the capacity to deal with.The bicycle racks outside of Haley Center and along the Concourse are almost always full, and Haley Center has more bike racks than any other place on campus.With those racks full, students are forced to chain their bikes to whatever structures are available, as schlepping a bicycle to class is both odd and slightly insane.However, the Campus Bike Committee is already pursuing solutions to this issue, trying to make Auburn a more bike-friendly campus.The committee's plans include the creation of more bike routes on campus and adding six to 10 spaces for bikes near every major building on campus.The committee also has designs to create large, covered structures to house bicycles, anticipating a growth in bike traffic on campus.We applaud their efforts to help make our campus a more eco-friendly place.For our skateboarding and longboarding friends, the major concern is not so much parking as it is violating campus policies.While we've never seen anyone be punished for it, the current policies do not allow skateboards or rollerblades on campus, so students who choose to travel to campus using such means face incurring a $50 ticket to do so.We can somewhat understand the University's reluctance to allow skateboarding in its recreational forms, but as a means of conveyance and transportation in a time of rising fuel prices, we think the policy deserves reconsideration.If skateboards and longboards are used responsibly, we see no problem as to why they could not be approved.As a possible sweetener and revenue enhancer, why not charge boarders for the privilege like bike and motorcycle owners?

Skatepark necessary, likely profitable

By Kevin Saucier / Multimedia Editor | August 28

Last fall, students from Auburn University, Auburn High School and their parents formed a group and started meeting in an effort to get Auburn a public skatepark.

Indoor Tailgating Plans Raise Questions, Prompt Concerns

By Editorial Staff | August 27

When we heard of the plans to have set, paid outdoor tailgating spots on Auburn's newly minted Campus Green, we have to admit we were initially concerned.After researching the plans and finding out the outdoor tailgating spots only took up around 1 percent of the campus, our initial hesitance was somewhat calmed.Now, we find out that in addition to the 70 paid outdoor tailgating spots being brought to campus, the new Student Center will play host to nine different indoor tailgating suites: three balcony suites for $500 per game, the Panoramic View Room for $300, four patio suites for $300 each and the Student Center Ballroom for the price of $1200.We hardly know where to begin.As students, we certainly could not find the justification to pay rates that high for tailgating.In this economy, we wonder if anyone, student or otherwise, would be willing to scrape together the necessary funds to pay for the suites.Will students and Auburn fans have access to the Student Center on gamedays, or will they be asked to present some sort of ID or wristband to be allowed into a building that was constructed with their tuition and tax dollars?If they are barred from being admitted, is that legal?Legality aside, what does this say about Auburn?By allowing a set paid tailgating zone, is the University creating a two-class system out of the Auburn family: the haves and the have-nots (or, more aptly, the will-pays and the will-nots)?If this venture does prove successful, will the paid tailgating zone balloon and begin to envelop other areas on campus, tailgating sites that have remained traditional mainstays for generations?Auburn is famously known for being a family of fans, but we cannot help but think the problems posed by paid tailgating may cause some family spats.We are not a family of exclusion.This University and the quality of fans it produces are known far and wide for their spirits of generosity and kindness.It has often been said you could walk up to almost any tailgate on campus and join in the celebration.After all, we're all family, aren't we?The dangerous future represented by paid tailgating paints an almost apocalyptic scenario where non-paying tailgaters are relegated to the nether regions of campus, if they are still allowed on campus at all.Of course, it goes without saying that walk-up tailgaters would certainly be discouraged in this future.We do not like this grim vision of what could come, and we pray it is simply the products of our hyped-up and overactive imaginations.We hope, but we also maintain a healthy sense of realism.

We're Embracing New Media, You Should Too

By Lindsey Davidson / Editor | August 27

Another year has started here at The Auburn Plainsman.That means new staff, hectic first week and adapting to the changes of what the paper has in store for us and you.The staff has a mix of newbies and the old souls returning for one last run.The blend will work in your favor as readers with the novel ideas anchored by a sober mission.You will see fresh features this coming year, but we will stay true to our brand.With all this talk about newspapers dying and print being the thing of the past, it seems to be the base of every news source's conversation.But, I vow to you as a reader that won't cross your mind when you think of The Auburn Plainsman.We are embracing the changes.Hell, I would even say we are making the changes.We are a full service information center.Not just a newspaper.Check out the Web site to find daily updates, videos, slideshows, calendars, classifieds, blogs, forums, digital issues of the newspaper and user-generated content.I could keep going on, but it is something that needs to be checked out for yourself.You can read our tweets via Twitter @auburnplainsman.Find us on YouTube when you are featured in one of the online videos.If you have had the pleasure of meeting the multimedia team, then I rejoice with you.Check out Flickr to find all our photographs posted for your viewing.We have even reached Facebook both with a fanpage and group.You can join these pages to find out about community involvement we will be participating in and random updates from our office and paper.Obviously, there will be headline updates as well.On the newly designed Web site, we are accepting user-generated content.We want your photographs, thoughts and articles on our Web site.You can also register on the Web site to receive e-mails with the updated content from our Web site from your selected topics.We are contributing our time to reach out to the Internet generation and get the news to you faster.Our priority as journalists at this paper is to get the most accurate news to you better than anyone else.We pride ourselves on our timeliness and now have the means to issue that information to our audience more promptly.We are working to reach you with every way we know how.That being said, we need your feedback, not only on our performance but also on our accessibility.E-mail, tweet, facebook, call or just stop by and see me.Let me know how we are doing to reach you as your campus newspaper throughout this semester.Let me know how we are doing with our coverage of events, issues, topics and news that you care and want to read about.We want to know what you think.When you are bored, check out the Jane and Joe Random video.You can also read Jane Random this week in the paper to compare the two.Soon, you will be able to hear to audio clips as well.The point: we are embracing the changes for you.Enjoy what we have done and keep checking back to see what more we will be doing over the next year.Welcome back Plainsman readers.

Stop Using the 'R-word'

By Cliff McCollum / Opinions Editor | August 27

For too long, a certain word has plagued our society, a word that causes pain and hurt whenever it is spoken or heard.It is not unlike the "N-word" and the derogatory "F-word" aimed at homosexuals, and it is time that we as a nation, as a kind and compassionate people, come together to stop this hateful word, too.The word I speak of is the word "retard" and all of its varietals and offshoots.That word, like so many other taboo words, carries with it connotations and inferences that serve no purpose other than to demean or belittle other people.There is nothing positive about that word; no good comes from that word.Whether or not you choose to believe it, that word hurts people.I know because I've seen the look that enters the eyes of a person with a special needs family member when that word is used around them.It's an odd mixture of anger and sadness that can seldom be replicated in other circumstances.These friends and family members often speak out when someone uses the "R-word" in front of them, making sure to let the offender know the power and hate that goes along with using that word.These people, these warriors, are on the frontline of this battle, being advocates and lobbyists on behalf of a group of people that so many times are not able to speak for themselves.More so than some other groups who have battles with hate speech, the special needs community largely depends on the voices of members from outside the group to send out their message.I freely admit to using this word in my not-so-distant past.

Sometimes Free Pizza is Not So Free

By Ellison Langford / Associate News Editor | August 27

Like many students last fall I spent more than a few hours putting together scholarship applications hoping I might get a few thousand dollars back in exchange for my hard work.

'Come On and Take a Free Ride'

By Editorial Staff | August 27

"Toomer's Ten."There's just a nice ring to it, isn't there?Ten buses running along seven night transit lines, originating on Magnolia near SkyBar, wait to take students back home.This program has been a long time coming, and we applaud its arrival.We're glad Auburn has caught up to our other fellow SEC schools, many of whom have had similar programs in place for some time.The new system is a vast improvement to the former night transit systems, a system of buses that took students from the various parking lots to set on-campus locations.Those buses' schedules were sporadic and often led to students waiting in dimly lit parking lots for a ride on a bus that they began to believe might never appear.Needless to say, the idea of standing around a parking lot at night alone certainly doesn't sound appealing, and certainly would be a safety concern and a possible liability for the University.With the new system in place, set routes and stops are a standard part of the system, and schedules are posted on Auburn's Web site and have been sent out in e-mail updates through the Tigermail system.We envision the system to be a great help during finals, as late-night visits to campus become not just the norm, but an absolute necessity.The Magnolia starting location is a stroke of genius, especially considering the foot traffic that end of Magnolia sees on any given night.We would strongly encourage those of you who, perhaps, enjoy the nightlife too much to fully take advantage of this new system as well, rather than try to drive home and risk a DUI or possibly injuring yourself or others.Contrary to popular belief, we get no joy from running the DUIs each week, we assure you.We love the fact the buses will be running on Saturday evenings, although we are a bit confused as to why they will not run on gameday Saturdays.Maybe we're just victims of muddled thinking or convoluted logic, but, considering the volumes of people on campus those days, wouldn't gamedays be the time when such services would be greatly needed?We are certain changes and modifications will be made as the "Toomer's Ten" start to hit their stride.We are optimistic to see what a marvelous system it will one day become in the near and not-so-distant future.Job well done, Auburn, job well done.

Open Mouth, Promptly Insert Foot

By Griffin Limerick / Associate Multimedia Editor | August 27

As I sit on the well-worn couch in my room and touch finger to keyboard, I am staring at a foot-long, white cardboard box tucked inconspicuously behind my TV stand.Inside this box is a beer stein with the word "Prague" printed on it, along with paintings of various trees and bushes that poorly represent the Czech Republic's landscape.When purchasing this stein in Prague last summer, I envisioned myself filling it with beer and toting it to parties, thus transforming myself into an instant party hit.

Athlete's Transfer Fees, Salaries Inappropriate

By Editorial Board | June 18

Last week, Spanish soccer club Real Madrid broke the world-record transfer fee when it shelled out #80 million for a single player.The club made Manchester United an offer it simply couldn't refuse, nabbing Portuguese phenom Cristiano Ronaldo for the hefty price-tag.You maybe be thinking, yes, that's fairly interesting, but major sports organizations spend lavish amounts of money in the transfer market to pick up new talent all the time!

State Must Take Stand Against Gun Violence

By Editorial Board | June 18

The Violence Policy Center recently released its 2006 analysis of the highest per capita firearm-related deaths nationwide.Alabama ranked second.Of our great 50 states, Alabama fell only behind Louisiana for the most gun deaths with nearly 17 fatalities from firearms per 100,000 people.The study is simple and produced clear results.