News

PACT bills approved to save 45,000 contracts

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | February 18

Contracts for prepaid college tuition will be fulfilled after a period of uncertainty in a struggling and down economy.Two different but similar bills have been approved to go to the full House for debate on the issue of the Prepaid Alabama College Tuition Program.These bills will ensure college tuition the state of Alabama is paid for the 45,000 children whose parents bought contracts in the state's prepaid college tuition program."I think it is still going to be a tough battle," said Richard Huckaby, cofounder and V.P.

UPC spend student fees for 'free' movies

By Davis Potter / WRITER | February 18

While students are here at Auburn to receive a quality education, they also need occasional breaks from their studies.Whether it's music, sports, crafts, social events or any other activity, students are constantly looking for ways to escape the everyday stress of classes.The University Program Council is doing its part to provide students with more on-campus entertainment by increasing the number of movie showings this school year.After showing 16 movies last year, UPC is scheduled to show 22 this time around, including 11 in the spring semester.The quality and diversity of the movies played a large part in scheduling additional showings this year, said UPC President Sharne Rice.

The Auburn Plainsman receives Best College Newspaper award

By Lindsey Davidson / Editor | February 18

The Auburn Plainsman was named Best College Newspaper at the Best of South competition at the annual Southeastern Journalism Conference.Along with this regional honor, The Plainsman also received three other awards including Journalist of the Year, Best Web site and Best Press Photographer.Ellison Langford, news editor, placed ninth as Journalist of the Year.

VictoryLand venues close

By Jillian Clair/ Staff Writer | February 18

Attorney General Troy King said in a press release yesterday that the raid on VictoryLand by Gov.

Auburn schools rank 38th, 41st in toxin study

By Sarah Phillips / STAFF REPORTER | February 18

A USA Today Special Report published in 2007 on toxic air surrounding America's schools listed four local Auburn city schools in as low as the 38th percentile of national rankings.The report, titled "The Smokestack Effect," used a U.S.

Association names "Friend of Planning"

By Laura Maxwell / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | February 18

The Alabama chapter of the American Planning Association has named local planning commission member Warren McCord "Friend of Planning" for 2010.This category is for nonelected officials who offer their time and service to the field of planning.Comments from his nomination letter were read to the community at the Feb.

City council recognizes, thanks SGA representatives

By Laura Maxwell / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | February 18

Anna Twardy and Trevor Ramsey received recognition for their hard work serving as the director and assistant director of city relations for the SGA during Tuesday night's City Council meeting.Ramsey reminded those attending the meeting of the races for SGA president and vice president, as well as the race for Miss Auburn.

Dads boogey with daughters

By Jennifer Beckett / WRITER | February 18

In a blur of bouncing curls and stocking feet, girls danced and dined with their fathers last week at one of Auburn's traditional Valentine's Day celebrations.The 21st annual DaddyDaughter Date Night, organized by Auburn Parks and Recreation Department, was held from 5:30 p.m.

Dunkerly teaches, hoops

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | February 18

She walks about the room adjusting hand positions and correcting body movements. She has to lean close to her students' ears to be heard over the music echoing off the walls.It's a Tuesday night at Katina Dunkerly's hula hooping class at the Frank Brown Recreation Center.During Hoopla, as her class is called, Dunkerly, 25, encourages novices and guides experts how to better handle their hoops."I love hooping," Dunkerly said, "and I'm really wanting to try to just spread the word of hooping wherever I go.

Buckaroos party with their moms

By Bethany Donaldson / WRITER | February 18

As a green John Deere rolls along the hayfield, boys dressed in cowboy hats and boots hold their moms' hands and run across the mud-crusted driveway to the dark green Storybook Farm barn.Storybook Farm hosted its Cowboy Roundup Saturday, Feb.

SGA Candidates Debate Platforms

By Drew Thompson / ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR | February 16

The Student Center ballroom filled with SGA candidate supporters, neon-colored campaign shirts spouting the names of the 11 candidates Monday night.SGA President Jacob Watkins served as the spokesperson for the debate. The major candidate positions included in the debate were president, vice president and treasurer. Miss Auburn candidates were invited to briefly explain their platforms.

Tiger Transit hits Tahoe

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | February 15

A Tiger Transit hit a black Chevrolet Tahoe while turning onto Roosevelt Drive this afternoon.

Shooting at UAH Leaves 3 Dead, More Injured

By Laura Maxwell / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | February 13

A shooting on the University of Alabama in Huntsville's campus Friday at 4 p.m. left three faculty members dead and three injured, according to a report by UAH's police.

Secrets Are For Everyone

By Chelsea Harvey / WRITER | February 13

The Auburn University Ballroom burst into applause as The Most Trusted Stranger in America walked across the stage.Auburn University welcomed Frank Warren, founder of PostSecret, to campus Monday night to talk about his project,

First in a Series: Are Auburn's streets safe?

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | February 12

Magnolia Avenue used to be lined with street lamps. But not anymore.This is because a couple years ago, when the city was removing some power poles from Magnolia Avenue, it also removed the lights.Magnolia Avenue and Samford Avenue are owned by the city, not the University.

Gas Station Robber Evades Police

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | February 11

An armed man robbed three Auburn gas stations last night.The Auburn Police Department responded to a call at the Tiger's Den Exxon on Shug Jordan Parkway at approximately 6:10 p.m., a second call at the Liberty station on East Glenn Avenue at approximately 6:46 p.m. and a third call at the Chevron on South College Street at 7:23 p.m., according to an APD press release.The suspect stole cash from each of the store's register drawers.

Trustees pass vet hospital plans

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | February 11

In a move that benefits students interested in veterinary medicine and their pets, the University Board of Trustees approved the budget and design plans for the College of Veterinary Medicine's Small Animal Teaching Hospital Friday, Feb.

Sweets shop opens in Student Center

By Crystal Cole / STAFF REPORTER | February 11

A new dessert-only food venue opened Monday in the Student Center.Tiger Treats took the place of Deli-cious and will beopen11a.m.-4p.m.Gina Groome, a marketing manager, said the menu changes daily, but the basics desserts are the same."We have brownies, ice cream, cake and cookies," she said.

Riley breaks ground for new MRI Center

By Drew Thompson / ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR | February 11

Gov. Bob Riley began his speech at 2:19 p.m. at the groundbreaking ceremony of Auburn University's Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center, held at Auburn Research Park, Feb.

Senate talks retention rate, books

By Drew Thompson / ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR | February 11

Faculty senate unanimously passed four action items on the agenda Feb. 10.One action item was a the Endorsement of Retention Statement from Retention Committee.Auburn is tied with the University of Alabama with both freshmen and 6-year graduating student retention, with respective percentages of 85 and 64 percent.In order to have effective retention increase, it requires the support of every part of the University, said Jeffrey Fergus, chair of Retention Committee."Staff has responsibility, faculty do and students do as well," Fergus said.Key components in keeping the responsibilities distributed accordingly will be communication and cooperation among all areas of the University.Faculty and staff can communicate to students in learning communities, which teach incoming freshman what may be encountered at Auburn.The UNIV 1000 level classes have freshmen retention of 90.5 percent, Fergus said.Supplemental instruction also adds to the percentage of retention.The average test scores from classes that offer SI are four to seven points higher than the average tests scores from non-SI classes, Fergus said.The motion passed enabling students to meet high academic standards through the cooperative efforts of faculty, staff and students.There are 12 colleges and schools at Auburn University so the Faculty Research Committee undergoes a rotation schedule with three-year terms."We meet monthly and some colleges are being left out," said Bruce Smith, chair of the Faculty Research Committee.Constance Relihan, chair of Auburn Connects Common Book Program and senior associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Liberal Arts, supported Fergus' goals for higher retention percentages."This program, which we are calling Auburn Connects, the Common Book Program, comes out of all of this emphasis on student retention," Relihan said.The idea is to give students a visualization of as many things as possible, all in one book.