---

Congress passes bill, $40 million for students

By Aubrie Davis/ Staff Writer | September 24

In an effort to make college education more affordable to students, Congress passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act.The bill, which will be the country's biggest federal investment in college education, will change how student loan programs operate.The bill was proposed July 15 and passed Sept.

NASA Awards Auburn University $600,000 Grant

By Samuel Solomon/ Associate News Editor | September 24

A $600,000 grant from NASA has been awarded to Auburn University's College of Sciences and Mathematics in association with the Alabama Department of Education in order to educate high school students about global climate change."The first year of the grant is for development," said Robin Nelson, Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative science coordinator.

Tiger Transit Stolen Saturday

By Samuel Solomon/ Associate News Editor | September 21

An Auburn University Tiger Transit bus was stolen in front of the McDonalds on West Magnolia Avenue after 2 a.m. Saturday."Somebody just didn't want to wait, " said University Manager of Transit Services Rex Huffman.

State officials attend Auburn meeting concerning PACT program

By Emily Beckett/ Staff Writer | September 21

Countless years and thousands of dollars later, many Alabama citizens are worried the earlier efforts they made to pay for their children's college education are now worthless.Concerns about the Prepaid Affordable College Tuition program were the focus of a meeting held at the Grove Hill Subdivision Clubhouse Thursday night for the East Alabama chapter of SaveAlabamaPACT!."Job one for us as a SaveAlabamaPACT! area is to locate PACT contract holders (and make) our contracts solvent," said Terry Calcote, an East Alabama area leader. "I'm gratified that we had a full house here tonight."

Auburn City Council Meeting on Sept. 15

By Samuel Solomon/ Associate News Editor | September 21

Citizens gathered in the Auburn City Council Chamber. Minutes from Sept. 1 were read and approved.Auburn University's Student Government Association distributed facts regarding Toomer's Ten.

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.

SUSCC Hosts Heathcare Forum

By Samuel Solomon/ Associate News Editor | September 17

More than 50 people attended the healthcare reform forum at Southern Union State Community College's health science building.The forum was Sept.

Start of Semester Spike in DUI Arrests

By Charley Gaines/ Staff Writer | September 17

Alabama is cracking down on unsafe driving.Each year, states get money from the National Highway Safety Bureau that is distributed throughout the states, and Gov.

Testicular Cancer Linked to Marijuana Use

By Kendra Kelley / Assistant News Editor | September 17

The results of a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study said using marijuana may increase a man's risk of developing testicular cancer.Researchers found that the male reproductive system produces a cannabinoid-like chemical that is thought to have a protective effect against cancer.Marijuana may disrupt the body's natural resistance to developing tumors, which could be a possible link between marijuana and testicular cancer.According to the National Cancer Institute, testicular cancer is rare and accounts for only 1 percent of cancers in men from the U.

Auburn University Assures Asbestos Poses no Health Risks

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | September 17

Auburn University buildings are full of asbestos. Not all them, just the majority that were built before 1980.However, there are those who don't think this is a problem."I want to be clear with you, there is no asbestos crisis across campus," said Assistant Vice President for Facilities Dan King.

Cost of Tuition Continues Rising, Despite Recession

By Emily Clever/ Staff Writer | September 17

Even during a recession, universities still find reasons to raise tuition.This year, a semester of education at Auburn University for in-state students costs $3,462.That is a 6 percent increase from last year, and it only applies to students taking between 12 and 15 hours.Tuition and fees at private universities rose an average of 4.3 percent this year, the lowest hike in 37 years, according to The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.Auburn's tuition increased 3 to 4 percent less than other in-state public universities of equal caliber, said Mike Reynolds, the executive director of Student Financial Services."When tuition has to increase, it is generally because of inflation," Reynolds said.

New Cybersecurity Bill Poses Problems

By Simpson Fletcher/ Staff Writer | September 17

The Senate Bill 773 may be only part of the Cybersecurity Act of 2009, but it has been stirring up controversy all on its own.The bill, introduced in April 2009, is only in its first step in the legislative process.

Auburn University's Naval ROTC Pays Tribute to 9/11 Victims

By Lindsey Grubbs/ Staff Writer | September 15

On the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Auburn University's Naval ROTC paid tribute to the victims of the 2001 September tragedies and the selfless service of men and women in uniform across the country.As rain fell on the morning of Sept.

Car catches fire in Lowder parking lot

By Elizabeth Mahaney / ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR | September 14

A white Plymouth Breeze in the Lowder parking lot caught fire, according to Battalion Chief Joe Lovvorn.The fire department received a phone call that a car was on fire at 11:35 a.m. Approximately three minutes later, the fire department contained the flames in the cars engine compartment, according to the fire department officials.

Sept. 11 Survivor Shares his Testimony

By Callie Garrett / Assistant Intrigue Editor | September 12

Sunel Merchant, a survivor of the Sept. 11 attack, shares his testimonyand appreciation for firefighters, police and all other armed forcesbecause they are the reason he is alive today.As Merchant was working on the 49th floor of the World Trade Center, hewas sharing a joke with his colleague when suddenly the laughing turnedto tears and shock instantly.

Kellie Pickler headlines UPC fall concert

By Jordan Dailey / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | September 10

UPC's fall concert will feature Kellie Pickler.The country artist was featured on the fifth season of American Idol and then recorded her first album.It will be held at the fall Tiger Nights event Sept. 18.

'Heart of Auburn' Lost in Construction

By Brittany Cosby / Campus Editor | September 10

As Auburn progresses to become a pedestrian friendly campus, some historical areas have become lost along the way.One area in particular was the "heart of Auburn."The area referred to as the "heart of Auburn" was installed in 1981 in the old Katherine Cater Cooper lawn design in the center of campus.Franklin Olmsted, who designed Central Park in New York and Riverside Park in Chicago, established the original design for the Samford Hall and Cater lawn areas."There was a perfect heart with a little lawn around it," said Paula Backscheider, an English professor that works on the ninth floor of Haley Center and could see the heart from her window.

Millard Fuller's Dream of Housing Continues

By Justin Ward/ Staff Writer | September 10

Lanett needs a superhero.It has an unemployment rate double the national average, almost 21 percent of the city's population lives below the poverty line and the per capita income is under $16,000.And since 2000, Lanett's job growth is negative, meaning jobs have decreased by 15 percent, and the school system spends thousands less per child than the national average.As a result, some of its long-time residents migrated elsewhere.But Friday afternoon offered a glimmer of hope for this struggling city.