1999-01-21 The Auburn Plainsman

              D6 Cliff Dwellers:
livin' on the edge.
Visit us online at
www.theplainsman.com urn r lainsman
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE SINCE 1893
i i Gov. Siegelman's
A 4 inauguration.
Tluirsclav;lan.21, 1999
Student survives collision with CSX train
BY BILL BARROW
State/Local Editor
An Auburn junior drove in
front of a train Sunday morning,
causing the second vehicle-train
collision at the Dean Road cross­ing
in the last year.
David Bruno, a junior in com­munications,
sustained only
"bumps and bruises" in the acci­dent,
which occurred at about
10:15 a.m.
Bruno was the only person in
his 1998 Mazda 626 at the time of
the accident.
"I'm just lucky to be alive,"
Bruno said. "(After the accident)
I basically could have walked
away from the car. It's unbeliev­able."
Police said witnesses claim the
warning devices were in full
operation when the accident
occurred. Drucilla Cooper,
spokeswoman for the Auburn
Police Department said the cross­ing
is equipped with flashing
lights and a bell. "The train had
sounded its horn," she said.
Bruno said he did not see the
train until immediately before
the collision.
"I was just driving along think­ing
about something else. I just
wasn't paying attention," Bruno
said.
The train struck Bruno's car on
the passenger's side. Police said
he was wearing his seat belt.
After being treated for minor
injuries, Bruno was released from
East Alabama Medical Center.
Bruno's accident is the second
at the crossing in the last year.
Craig Lee Hasty, a student at
Southern Union Community
College, died in a Feb. 10 acci-
AJDOPt-A-MlLE
Sv Program
*^droP it on Alabama, fn
THIS SHOTS OF ROADSIDE AB0PIB3 ff
W* SPADES W
m HalLPHVO KJS35P ALABAMA !THE BEAUTOF1IL
CHRIS.COMPTON/Pholo Editor
This sign on Highway 147 is one of the few displays of Spade presence in Auburn.
Spade: a 'circular' society of 10
BY JENNIFER PAGE AND
CHARLOTTE MCINTOSH
Staff Writers
Librarian Timothy Dodge
recently discovered someone has
shown "bizarre behavior" by
carefully cutting out certain parts
of microfiche documents in the
Ralph Brown Draughon library.
The missing documents, pub­lished
by the Mobile Register in
1995, contained a two-part series
examining the "strange ways" of
the secretive Auburn student
honorary, Spade.
Though, according to its char­ter,
its members are composed of
the "10 most influential students
in the senior class," Spade has
traditionally been a secretive
organization, holding meetings
in the woods and giving code
names to members.
Spade is defined by the Tiger
Cub as the "10 outstanding mem­bers
of the senior class selected
by the present group for their
actions and accomplishments."
This simple definition of one of
Auburn's most low-profile hono-raries
is, for most students, the
only concrete indication of the
group's existence on campus.
Spade, or the Circle, as it is
referred to by its members, has
been set apart from other groups
on campus for past accusations
of power-monging, hazings
involving firearms and gross
mismanagement of funds.
But the power the group actu­ally
wields on campus is widely
debated.
Ching-Wei Tzeng, SGA vice
president and a Spade, said the
only action the organization
takes each year is selecting mem­bers
for the next year.
However, during its history,
Spade has been named in a wide
variety of activities. Former
Spade and 1986-87 Auburn
Plainsman editor Chris Roush,
said one of the accomplishments
of Spade was the establishment
of educational scholarships.
However, Jan Clifford
Stephens, 1994-95 Plainsman edi­tor,
said she knows of instances
in which the group successfully
pressured Plainsman editors to
pull stories the group disliked.
Although no purpose for the
group is explicitly stated in the
Spade charter, insiders and out­siders
alternately paint its mis­sion
from completely altruistic to
secretly manipulative.
Although some people distrust
the Spade organization because
of its secrecy, members have his­torically
taken pride in being
able to do anonymous "good
works" for Aubum.
E.L. Spencer, president of
Auburn Bank and a 1952 Spade,
said the mission of the organiza­tion
when he was a member was
"to better the Alabama
Polytechnic Institute.
"We fostered the student spir­it,"
he said. "We encouraged stu­dents
to participate in campus
activities."
Jim Phillips, 1960-61
Plainsman editor and a Spade,
said the Spade organization
evolves over a period of time, not
from year to year.
J. Ford Laumer, associate pro­fessor
and director of marketing
and transportation, has been
adviser to Spade since the early
1990s.
Laumer, himself a 1962 Spade,
please see SPADE, A3
dent there.
All warning devices were
working properly at the time of
Hasty's accident as well.
Cooper said there is no way to
determine whether increased
train speeds have contributed to
more accidents.
Last year, the speed limits for
trains inside he Auburn city lim­its
rose from 25 mph to 45 mph.
"There's no way for the officers
to tell how fast the trains are
going unless they're there clock-please
see TRAIN, A3
CHRIS COMPTONfPhoto Editor
The car-train collision occurred at the intersection of Dean and Opelika roads.
Privatization of food services
considered for cost efficiency
BY MAXINE CLAYTON
Staff Writer
The University would like to
give control of its food services
division to a private company, to
keep in line with its mission of
being cost-efficient.
/\ resolution will be presented to
the Board of Trustees tomorrow
which, if passed, will permit
administration to request propos­als
from private companies inter­ested
in taking over food services
at Auburn and Aubum University
at Montgomery.
Bob Ritenbaugh, director of aux­iliary
enterprises, said the purpose
of the food service outsourcing res­olution
is "only a request for infor­mation.
"Administration wants to make
sure it provides the best possible
food service option for the campus.
Maybe retaining (the current food
services) operation is the best. We
will find out by looking at the pro­posals
from the companies," he
said.
Outsourcing would affect the
five dining areas at Auburn —
Terrell Dining Hall, War Eagle
Cafeteria, Take Ten, Village Kitchen
and Dow Deli — and AUM
Cafeteria * in University Center,
CHRIS COMPTON/ Photo Editor
Currently, Food Services does not include commercial vendors.
AUM's student union.
Dining hall employees would
not be in jeopardy of losing their
jobs if food services is outsourced.
Ritenbaugh said employees within
two years of retirement under the
Retirement Systems of Alabama
System would remain in the sys­tem
until 25 years of service is com­pleted.
"AU is extremely sensitive to the
loyalty of current staff at AU and
AUM status and relationship to AU
and AUM will be protected,"
Ritenbaugh said.
Ritenbaugh said proposals
would be requested from the three
major private food companies —
Sodexho-Marriott, Aramark and
Chartwell.
The companies would then sub;
mit proposals to the University that
will answer two questions, said
Ken Johnston, assistant chancellor
at AUM:
1. What will the company be able to
do for the University?
please see FOOD, A3
Coram Board adjourns quickly
BY JENNIFER MURPHREE
Assistant Campus Editor
Thursday's anticipated follow-up
to last week's Board of Student
Communications meeting ended
abruptly without discussion of the
resolution censuring Auburn
Plainsman Editor Lee Davidson.
The short meeting came as a sur­prise
to local and regional newspa­per
reporters present and their dis­appointed
cameramen. The only
shots available were of calm and
composed board members, and
audio consisted solely of budget
and finance business.
Comm Board chairman Grant
Davis called an adjournment of the
meeting after distributing two doc­uments
concerning the resolution.
The first was a letter to the Board
from Davidson's attorney Dennis
Bailey who represents her as gen­eral
counsel for the Alabama Press
Association.
The second was a resolution
passed by the University Senate
supporting her and admonishing
freedom of the press violations.
The letters were given to all pre­sent
members.
"Considering the serious nature
of this subject, I'm asking you to
review these materials to discuss
the matter at a future date," Davis
said.
The resolution passed by
Auburn's faculty commended the
editor and staff of the Plainsman
for "exemplary independence, ini­tiative,
integrity and dedication of
their service to the University."
Saying its review of relevant
issues in the Plainsman revealed
"insufficient foundation for any of
the allegations made against the
editor," the faculty's resolution
called for a retraction from the
Comm Board.
Only four members of the
University Senate voted against
the resolution supporting the
Plainsman. One of the no votes
came from James Golson, who
serves as a representative for the
Student Affairs Office.
"I wasn't present for any discus­sion
on the subject at the meeting,"
Golson said, "so I based my vote
solely on Will Stegall's argument
in defense of the resolution."
SGA vice president Ching-Wei
Tzeng, one of the authors of the
"I had no idea we'd
delay debating
this issue."
CHING-WEI TZENG
SGA vice president
Comm Board's resolution, said he
was surprised the meeting ended
so soon.
"I had no idea we'd delay debat­ing
this issue," Tzeng said. "I'll still
stand behind my statements that
we didn't do anything wrong."
As a result of the debate over
rights of the Comm Board to
review Plainsman content,
University President William V.
Muse has been urged by journal­ism
department head Jerry Brown
to appoint a committee to examine
Comm Board policies.
All five votes in favor of the
Comm Board resolution were by
students, and the four votes
against it were by faculty mem­bers.
NEXT WEEK
Read what "The Company" means to
the Spades and where "The Circle"
literary magazine acquired its name.
Get the latest results from Auburn's
undefeated men's basketball team.
Check out the Kentucky game results.
••' : lwww.Uieplalnsmaii.com ;
Campus Calendar
City Council
Crime Report
Gov. Siegelman
Human Sciences
INDEX
A2 Letters to the Editor A7
A9 Miss Rodeo Alabama D6
A2 Opinion Page A6
A4 phenix City Feature CI
B6 Senator Barron A5
"To know one has a secret is to know half the secret itself." — Henry Ward Beecher , Proverbs trom Plymouth Pulpit
•m *€* m
A2 The Auburn Plainsman T W s J a y J a n . 2 1 , 1 9 99
The Auburn Aiiisinaii
The Auburn Plainsman is the official newspaper of Auburn University. It is produced
entirely by students and is funded by its advertising revenue. The Auburn Plai"'
is published every Thursday and averages nine printings per quarter. It is distributed
free of charge to Auburn students and faculty. Please take only one copy. Staff meet­ings
are Wednesdays, 7 p.m. in B-100 Foy Student Union. For more information, call
844-4130, e-mail us at plainsm@mail.auburn.edu or view our world wide web site at
http://www.theplainsman.com. First copy free; additional copies are $.50.
Editorial Staff
Editor
Lee Davidson
Managing Editor
Matt Romano
State/Local Editor
Bill Barrow
Campus Editor
Charlotte Mcintosh
Intrigue Editor
David Ching
Sports Editor
Steve Raymond
Copy Chief
Karlyn Bogie
Photo Editor
Chris Compton
Art Editor
Jason Key
Web Master
Paul Kardous
Associate
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Associate
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Assistant
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McGehee
Scanner
Technician
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Assistant
State/Local Editor
Jennifer Page
Assistant
State/Local Editor
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Assistant
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Assistant
Campus Editor
Jennifer
Murphree
Assistant
Intrigue Editor
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Assistant
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Thinh Nguyen
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Circulation:
Steve Harper
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Campus Calendar is provided as a service by The Auburn Plainsman to all University-char­tered
organizations to announce activities. Announcements must be submitted on forms
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Submissions must be no more than 30 words and are edited to retain only pertinent infor­mation.
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$8/quarter. Periodicals postage paid at Auburn, AL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to The Auburn Plainsman, B-100 Foy Student Union, Auburn University, AL 36849-5343.
night & Unlimitei
prom Thavel Pass $599
[O8r V8is8it: )9097041
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Placement Services Orientation
Sessions
Thursday, Jan. 21, at 10 a.m.,
Friday, Jan. 22, at noon, Monday,
Jan. 25, at 2 p.m. and Wednesday,
Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. All sessions will
be held in the RBD Library
Auditorium on the first floor
(parking deck entrance).
Efforts are being made to locate
a representative from College
Bowl to determine if this group is
still active. Please contact Debbie
Conner, Foy Student Union
Director at 844-1304.
The 1998-99 Auburn University
telephone books are here and are
being distributed. Because the
1999 BellSouth telephone book
recycling campaign is scheduled
for Jan. 21 thru Feb. 4, please hold
your old AU phone book until
then. Call 844-9578 for more
information.
Co-op registration meetings will
be held on the following dates in
the Business Building: Thursday,
Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. in Business
Building 129, Friday, Jan. 22 at 2
p.m. in Business Building 110,
Monday, Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. in
Business Building 129, Tuesday,
Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. in Business
Building 129 and Wednesday, Jan.
27 at 3 p.m. in Business Building
110.
DOES FOOD CONTROL YOUR
LIFE? Call Liza Mueller at
Student Counseling Services
(844-5123) for a confidential FREE
evaluation and services (individ­ual
counseling, support group
and-or referral when appropri­ate).
Unhappy? Stressed out? Can't
seem to cope? FREE help is
available at Student Counseling
Services 118 Foy Student Union
(844-5123). Call or come by to
make an appointment.
Student Success Center's College
Life Series Wednesday from 3-4
p.m. Next week's presentation:
Test anxiety: Do you have it?
Will meet in 213 Foy Student
Union.
Project Uplift needs volunteers
to help children in Lee County.
Training sessions are: Jan. 25,
Feb. 8, Feb. 25, or March 1. All
sessions are held in 2228 Haley
Center. Monday sessions are 5:30
p.m.- 9:30 p.m. and Sunday ses­sions
are 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Call 844-
4430 for more information.
Alcoholics Anonymous meets
every day in the Auburn-Opelika
area. For meeting times and more
information call: 745-8405.
Auburn Christian Fellowship
has free dinner every Thursday at
6 p.m. at 315 S. Gay Street. Bible
study is at 6:45 p.m. every
Tuesday. Come for great fun and
fellowship. Call 821-3963.
The 1999 Miss Auburn
University Pageant will be
Friday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. at the
Student Activities Center.
Spikettes, the track hostesses,
rush informational meeting 8
p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 in 241 Foy
Student Union.
Support Project Uplift by eating
at Niffer's Place, Monday, Jan. 25.
Project Uplift receives a percent­age
of all receipts that have
Project Uplift written on the back.
Enjoy a good meal and support a
great cause.
Ballroom Dance, Friday, Jan. 22,
7-11 p.m., Beard-Eaves Memorial
Coliseum, room 2093 (Dance
Studio). "Swing" lesson from 7-8.
Casual dress. Couples and sin­gles
welcome. For information
call 887-5774 or 844-1465.
The Auburn Horseman's club
invites you to a real square dance
on Friday, Jan. 29 from 7- 11 p.m.
at Ham Wilson Livestock Arena.
AU Theatre presents Guys and
Dolls, Feb. 15- 20 at 7:30 p.m. in
the Telfair Peet Theatre. For more
information call 844-4154 or
www.auburn.edu/theatre.
Join the AU French Society for
"French Jeopardy" Monday, Jan.
25 in Haley Center 3328. 7:00 PM
. Prizes awarded.
Student Success Center's College
Life Series Wednesdays from 3- 4
p.m. Next week's presentation:
Choosing a major. The group will
meet in Foy Student Union 213.
Seven weeks advanced yoga and
stress management course at the
Unitarian Church starts Jan. 28.
Call 844-8614, for more informa­tion.
The Lee County TOUCH group
will meet Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. at the.
East A labama Medical Center.
MEETINGS
-J
The League of Women Voters
will meet on Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in
the Auburn Public Library meet­ing
room. Warren McCord, chair
of the Planning Commission, will
address the League of Women
Voters. Everyone is encouraged
to come and join the discussion.
The Society for Creative
Anachronism researches and
recreates the combat, fun and -
feasts of the Middle Ages. For
more information, call 844-
5683/745-5657. Or check out:
http://www.auburn.edu/sca/.
ATTENTION ALL STAR TREK
FANS! The Klingon AssauU
Group Ship, IKV Sharp Justice, is
looking for new members.
Become a warrior today! Call
844-5683 for info, or check out:1
www.auburn.edu-bentoam/KA'
G/.
Learn American Sign Language
with the AU Sign Language Club:
Tuesday nights from 6- 7 in Foy
205. Everyone welcome! Call Sue.
at 826-6568 or Jody at 887-5546 for '
more information.
The Social Work Club is having a
meeting Jan. 25 at 5:15 p.m. in
2222 Haley Center. Open to ail
majors.
•T"C
Athlete's fatal asthma attack stuns community
BY JENNIFER M U R P H R E E— c a l l i n S f o r h e l P ' a n d a d o c -
A s s i s t a n t C a m p u s Editor t o r r u n n i n g a t t h e t i me
tried to rdvive him with
Nakia Yancey's dream
was to play football at
. Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Upon his death Tuesday
night, his dreams will
remain unfulfilled, but will
perhaps come true for the
many children he touched
in his short, 22-year life­time.
Yancey, a future
University student, died
suddenly of an acute asth­ma
attack about 6:22 p.m.,
while jogging at AHS track.
Nakia, known to those
who loved him as "Ke-Ke,"
ran 3-4 laps with a friend
Braxtel Gray, a Southern
Union student, before tak­ing
a break when he had
trouble breathing.
Yancey asked Gray to
bring his inhaler from the
car, but when he returned
Yancey was struggling and
asked him to call 911.
" He collapsed while I was
CPR but it didn't work,"
Gray said.
"We think both lungs col­lapsed
and the doctor said
nothing, not even the
inhaler, would've stopped
it," he said.
Yancey's mother, Peggy,
said he planned to major in
education or a related field.
"He was a strong young
man with a lot of plans, and
his main thing was helping
and working with children.
"He tried to teach chil­dren,
where he worked,
and in his neighborhood, to
make something of their
lives," she said, "He was
always pushing them to
learn."
He worked at Joyland
Child Development Center
in Auburn before moving
to Milledgeville, Ga., a
year-and-a-half ago to
attend Georgia Military
College.
Clara Card, director of
Joyland, said, "All the chil­dren
here loved him —
they appreciated having a
young man around.
"He was kind, softspo-ken,
patient and would've
made an excellent teacher,"
Card said.
At Georgia Military,
Yancey played football for
Coach Robert Nunn.
"It's just shocking to me,"
Nunn said. "He was a very
conditioned athlete who
ran or worked out probably
every day of his life."
Nunn said he had never
known Yancey to miss a
practice or even slow down
because of his asthma.
"He was just a hard
worker, on and off the field
— just a quality person try­ing
to make his life better
and dedicated to doing
that," Nunn said.
Yancey's girlfriend of six
years, Heather Heath, said
his application to Auburn
had been sent and accept­ed,
and he planned to
attend Auburn in the
Contribfl
s
Nakia "Ke-Ke" Yancey, former Auburn High Sch|f|
football player, died Monday of an asthma attack,
Yancey planned to attend Auburn in the spring, %
spring, when he could par­ticipate
in spring football
training.
"He loved Auburn more
than anything in the world,
his dream was to play at
Jordan-Hare," Heath said.
"There aren't any words I
can use to tell you what he
means to me and everyone
— he was my life," she sajji^.
The funeral will b e h ^ K
Saturday, although d e t ag
are still uncertain. pm
Gray said so many pe££*-
ple are expected there* t l "
his mother will have
"find a church big eriou
first."
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FADE CONTINUED FROM A1
pid, "Each year, it's up to each
Individual group to make it what
|hey want."
When asked what this year's
troup has done for the betterment
M Auburn, Tzeng said the group
bnly meets once a week to hang
put and eat together.
individual members have done
tat (acted for the betterment of
uiburn), but the group hasn't
ione much but help Guthrie's and
le Grille make money," he said.
Tzeng's fellow Spade Warren
3eason has a different understand­ings
.
When asked if the group holds
/eekly meetings, Beason said no.
All other current Spade mem­bers
were contacted about this
btory, but did not respond.
Spade, with a history spanning
lore than 84 years, also claims
bome of the state's most influential
figures as former members,
Town to the current Spades as
"Old Men."
Some Old Men have made their
larks through political involve-
"lent. These include Fob James Jr.
[19/56), former Alabama governor;
and George McMillan (1966), for-le.
r Alabama lieutenant governor.
Old. Men who have become
i r o m i n e n t __________^_
JASON KEY/Art Editor
Current members of Spade stand with their hands folded in this
manner when they are photographed in the Glom each year.
business lead-rs
includt
ichard J.
Sctrtt (1956),
[B~M s e n i or
i a' r k e t i n g
representa-ve;
Stephen
Baum
|(1?84), First
• ,n i o n
,& t i o h a I
IBank, vice president; Robert E.
feims (1970), Merrill Lynch senior
•financial consultant; and Harry R.
Wilkinson (1964), managing direc-
Itor-Hong Kong regional manager
IfbFManufacturers Hanover.
"Old Men have also been promi-
"Each year, it's up to
each individual group
to make it what they
want."
E D LAUMER
Adviser, Spade
nent in the Auburn community.
Some of these include William
Hitchcock (1938), for whom
Hitchcock Field is named; G.W.
Jeff Beard (1932), for whom the
Coliseum is named; and Linwood
E. Funchess
(1935), for whom
Funchess Hall is
named.
Some Old Men
can still be found
around Auburn's
campus. These
include athletics
director David
Housel (honorary
1973), journalism
department head
Jerry E. Brown (1967), assistant
accounting professor Norman
Godwin (1991), English professor
Walter Hitchcock Jr. (1963) and
Laumer.
Spade members historically
come from a candidate pool
•, ^"'•*^rfe'
/ : - . '
*"
• ••••'•. " '•• ':"'-,. SOv
formed by the SGA president and
vice president, SGA administra­tive
vice president, SGA treasurer,
Interfraternity Council president
and vice president, War Eagle
Girls and Plainsmen president and
vice president, editor and manag­ing
editor of the Auburn
Plainsman and presidents of vari­ous
fraternities.
Although archives show Spade
members are typically picked
from the same leadership posi­tions
year after year, Tzeng said
members are "tapped" for mem­bership
in the elite honorary based
solely on their individual charac­ter.
Laumer disagreed.
"(Selection) is based more on
positions than the individual's
accomplishments on campus," he
said.
As for the microfiche, Dodge
said the documents have been
reordered.
&£ sm» • '~zzz—
FOOD CONTINUED FROM A1
2. What kind of revenue will the
company be able to generate?
"After looking at proposals, we
would decide which is the most
advantageous for the University,"
Ritenbaugh said.
The final step would be a vote
by the Board of Trustees to keep
the current food services or move
to contracting a private company.
Outsourcing to a private food
company may bring in more rev­enues
for the University, cut costs
and cut through much of the red
tape in licensing a national fran­chise
such as Burger King, Subway
or Chick Fil-A, Ritenbaugh said.
Over the decade, sales in cam­pus
dining areas have been consis­tent.
Ritenbaugh said the lack of
growth in sales is not enough to
"cover unexpected expenditures
associated with inflation."
About a $1 million is needed to
renovate Terrell, but the food ser­vices
division does not have the
funds, Ritenbaugh said.
He said the beginning of fiscal
year 1999 (fall quarter) was a good
one for food services because sales
increased. "Not everything is bad
for food services," Ritenbaugh
said.
Six months ago, AUM's food
service manager, Carolyn
Bowden, retired. Since Bowden's
retirement, Johnston said a
replacement has not been found.
Outsourcing would provide AUM
the chance to find a well-training
food service manager that is inter­ested
in working for a small uni­versity.
"Our interest in outsourcing is
partly in not finding a food service
manager. Our dilemma is finding
"After looking at proposals, we would decide
which is the most
advantageous for the University."
j
B O B RITENBAUGH
Director, auxiliary enterprises
someone with the training and
expertise. Someone with the train­ing
and expertise wants to go to a
larger university," Johnston said.
"Outsourcing will give the
University the chance to deal with
academic issues," he said.
Opposed to outsourcing, Art
Call, director of AU food services,
said, "We try to address student
needs. We have few student com­plaints.
We still bring in the bot­tom
line."
Call said a private company
would not always be concerned
with putting the student's needs
first.
"A contractor is here to make
money. We (food services) are here
for the University. During Camp
War Eagle, we provide each stu­dent
with a free meal. If contract­ed,
the company may not be con­cerned,"
Call said.
In the SEC, seven out of the 12
schools have private food compa­nies
managing their food services.
University of Mississippi,
University of Virginia, Clemson
University and University of
North Carolina are just some of
other schools that have a contract
with a private food company.
Since the late 1960s, the
University of Alabama's food ser­vices
has been under contract with
various private companies. June
1996, Aramark took over Bama
Dining.
Ira Simon, food service director
at Alabama, said the contracting
company has developed a simple
purchasing program, and has a
relationship with national fran­chises.
Aramark has brought six
national franchises to Alabama,
which include Burger King, Chick
Fil-A and Starbucks Coffee Shop.
There are also two regional fran­chises
located on the campus —
Taco Casa and Bob Bombhaun's
Wings.
"One objective of Alabama was
to try and develop Alabama into a
more pedestrian campus. We
wanted to provide services the
students would receive off cam­pus
and bring the services on cam­pus,"
Simon said.
Simon said the advantages of
having a contract with a private
company include the companies'
positive relationships with food
suppliers which enable negotia­tions
for better prices. Also, the
company has access to managers
from across the country who know
how to be cost-efficient.
TRAIN CONTINUED FROM Al
ing them," Cooper said.
Oct. 8, the Auburn City Council and the state
Department of Transportation agreed to upgrade
the warning devices at the Dean Road Crossing.
The improvements will add a crossing arm to the
lights and bell already in place*
The cost of the project is about $100,000.
Alabama sets aside about $1 million annually for
such improvements.
About 10 percent of Alabama's crossings are
equipped with crossing arms, ranking it near the
bottom in national statistics. Alabama also ranks
near the bottom in vehicle-train collisions, injuries
and fatalities.
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A4 Tne Auburn Plainsman Thursday, Jan. 21,199
STATE GOVERNMENT SIEGELMAN INAUGURATION
Siegelman: Let's make Alabama 'education state'
New governor wants portable classrooms gone, new computers installed, education lottery passed
From the
Inaugural Address:
"Alabama, the
waiting is over —
too much time
wasted, too many
promises broken, too
many dreams
shattered."
"Today, a new
generation of
Alabamians takes
the stage."
"I'm a father of two
children; and that's
all I need to serve as
your governor."
BY BILL BARROW
State and Local Editor
MONTGOMERY — Donald
Eugene Siegelman started his term
as the 56th governor of Alabama
the same way he won it: talking
about education.
Siegelman addressed an inaugu­ration
crowd of more than 10,000
and said he wanted to be an edu­cation
governor in an education
state.
Zell Miller, who just ended two
terms as the popular governor of
Georgia, delivered the oath of
office to Siegelman, as First Lady
Lori Siegelman held the family
Bible.
"Education is the key to every
child's success, and it is the key to
Alabama's success," he said.
He announced his first action as
governor, signing an executive
order mandating the removal of all
portable classrooms from the
state's public schools by 2001.
He continued his list of educa­tion
promises, as he highlighted
again the signature issue of his
campaign: a lottery.
"Somewhere in Alabama today
a child is bom. In 18 years it will
cost the parents of that child
$96,000 to send that child to col­lege,"
Siegelman said. "We must
open the doors of higher educa­tion
in Alabama to all our children.
No child should fail simply
because of money."
Siegelman also offered his life
experience as qualification enough
for the job. "I'm a father of two
children; and that's all I need to
serve as your governor," he said.
"Lori and I want the best for our
children. We want the best for all
Alabama's children."
He also mentioned his parents.
"I'm a son caring for two aging
parents, and that's all I need to be
your governor."
Siegelman's parents were
unable to attend the ceremonies.
please see GOVERNOR, A5
Donald Eugene Siegelman
became the 56th governor of
Alabama Monday in Montgomery.
Jimmy Buffet entertained the
crowd with a rendition of "Stars
Fell on Alabama."
7 will never turn
my back on the
seniors of
Alabama."
"Education is the
key to every child's
success, and it is the
key to Alabama's
success.
A large crowd, including Auburn's War Eagle
Girls & Plainsmen, middle, gather at the
Capitol for Siegelman's inaugral address.
Sen. Ted Little, D-Auburn, watches the
inaugural parade with State Treasurer
Lucy Baxley.
The Siegelman family listens as Doris
DeHaney sings the Star Spangled
AH phots by CHRIS coMPTON/Photo Editor Banner prior to the swearing in. .;
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Thursday, Jan. 2 1 , 1 9 99 The AuWn Plainsman A5
STATE GOVERNMENT
University trustee assumes Senate power
BY JOSH REED
Staff Writer
Eighteen State Senate Democrats
took away power from incoming
Republican Lt. Gov. Steve Windom
last Tuesday, instead empowering
Sen. Lowell Barron, Senate majority
leader from Fyffe and an Auburn
trustee.
Lieutenant governors in
Alabama have had extreme power
over bills and committees in recent
years. They have named members
to committees that set the voting
agenda as well as committees that
can kill or rewrite bills.
But now Barron and two senators
picked by him, Sen. Tom Butler, D-Madison,
and Sen. Hank Sanders,
D-Selma, will select committee
members, chairs and vice chairs.
Windom will preside over debate
in the Senate, a power granted to
him by the state constitution. But
under the new rules, Barron, or a
senator he picks, will preside over
the Senate in Windom's absence.
"This is about democracy with a
big D. I only have what influence —
I don't like to call it power — the
body has given me by majority
vote," Barron said.
Ted Little, a democrat from
Auburn and 20-year veteran of the
Senate, was one of the 18 senators
who voted in favor of the new
rules.
"(The new rules give) the best
alignment for my district," Little
said.
"Some people look at this and
say the Senate may have hogtied
itself, but I say you'll see a more
independent Senate," Little said.
The 18 Democrats won in a series
of votes against 12 Republicans and
five Democrats allied with
Windom. Gov. Don Siegelman,
along with Senate Democrats,
worked for two months trying to
find 18 Democrats willing to strip
Windom of the traditional powers.
Siegelman has said he was afraid
Windom would use his position to
kill his lottery plan. Barron said he
would attempt to get quick votes in
the Senate for the lottery plan as
well as other laws Siegelman pro­poses.
"I hope Gov. Siegelman has a
huge input in the House, and the
Senate, and throughout the state
because he's our leader and he's a
very progressive leader unlike the
previous governor we've just had,"
Barron said of Siegelman's Senate
influence.
While Little said the move weak­ens
the executive branch's control
in the Senate, Ted Becker, professor
of political science, disagreed.
"Barron is a surrogate lieutenant
governor for Siegelman. The gover­nor
will have substantial power
over the agenda in the Senate,"
Becker said.
Little said if party roles were
reversed, with a Republican gover-
CHRIS COMPTON/Photo Editor
State senators, including Lowell Barron, far right, wave to the
inauguration crowd Monday. Barron was elected majority leader by the
senators during last week's organizational session. New rules give
Barron much of the power usually reserved for the lieutenant governor.
nor, Democratic lieutenant gover­nor
and Republican majority sen­ate,
the same "power play" would
have occurred, stripping the
Democratic lieutenant governor of
his traditional powers.
However, he said, had Democrat
Dewayne Freeman defeated
Windom, then the Democratic-controlled
Senate probably would
not have called for last week's rule
changes.
Some senators warned that this
vote could lead Windom support­ers
to kill proposals put foiili by
Siegelman and Barron.
But Barron said he will reach out
to the 17 senators who voted for
Windom and try to do his best to be
a consensus builder for the Senate.
Barron's promotion last week is a
turnaround from three years ago
when he spoke out against
Siegelman, claiming he abused
Senate rules during debate on limit­ing
big-money jury verdicts.
Hubbard ready for House session
BY ANGELA WHITING
Staff Writer
Rep. Mike Hubbard received his committee
assignments last week in Montgomery.
" I 'm real pleased with my committee assign­ments,"
Hubbard said. "My first goal is to get
acclamated to the system
as soon as possible."
Hubbard, a Republican
from Auburn, represents
District 79 in the Alabama
House of Representatives.
Hubbard was named to
the House Ways and
Means Committee and to
that committee's subcom­mittee
on taxes and
;xemptions.
He was also named to serve on the House
Education Committee and as the vice chair of
the Colleges and Universities subcommittee.
"My special interest is in higher education,
particularly Auburn University. My wife, Dr.
Susan Hubbard, is a professor of nutrition at
the University, so naturally that is where my
interest is," Hubbard said.
As part of his pledge to students, Hubbard
has developed a Web site to communicate
HUBBARD
more efficiently.
"I will post legislative news and the students
can voice their concerns," he said.
Students can log on at www rep
hubbard.com or e-mail their comments to
rephubbard.com.
Hubbard extended his gratitude to the stu­dents
of Auburn. "I appreciate the student
support. They really need a representative in
Montgomery," Hubbard said.
Along with the committee assignments,
Hubbard was also assigned with writing the
state's education budget.
The House will meet for its first session
March 2.
Hubbard will be spending much of his time
in Montgomery, but will remain working at his
business, the Auburn Network.
Hubbard started the Auburn Network in
1994. The Auburn Network specializes in mar­keting
and public relations for Auburn sports,
particularly football, baseball and men's bas­ketball.
Hubbard said Congressman Bob Riley
intrigued him to want to hold a political office.
Hubbard said became interested in running
for representative after Rep. Joe Turnham
resigned from the District 79 seat, leaving it
open for the first time in more than 40 years.
GOVERNOR
CONTINUED FROM A-4
While offering no legislative proposals,
Siegelman did say, "I will never turn my back on
Alabama's seniors."
After Siegelman's address, the crowd enjoyed
former Auburn student Jimmy Buffet's free per­formance.
Buffet joined Siegelman on stage to
sing "Stars Fell on Alabama."
Siegelman's big day began with a prayer
breakfast at Dexter Avenue King Memorial
Baptist Church. Martin Luther King III spoke at
the church located one block from the steps
where George Wallace once proclaimed
"Segregation now! Segregation tomorrow!
Segregation forever!"
The festivities continued with the traditional
parade, in which the Auburn University Band
marched. The swearing-in ceremony was fol­lowed
by a Capitol open-house, and then the
Inaugural Ball, both of which were open to the
public.
Alabama's other constitutional officers were
also sworn in Monday. They included
Lieutenant Governor Steve Windom, who
echoed Siegelman's emphasis on education.
Windom pledged to work with the governor
and made no mention of the restructuring of the
Alabama Senate that stripped him of much of
the traditional power of his position.
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A6 The Auburn Plainsman Tmiretlayjan.21,1999
• -
• is
OPINIONS
The expressions of this
newspaper's opinion are
restricted to this page. The
unsigned editorials reflect
the views of The Auburn
Plainsman's editorial
board which is comprised
of the executive staff,
section editors and
assistants. Other opinion,
often contrasting, is
offered in adjoining
columns.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Lee Davidson
Editor
Matt Romano
Managing Editor
Karlyn Bogie
Copy Chief
Bill Barrow
State/Local Editor
Charlotte Mcintosh
Campus Editor
David Ching
Intrigue Editor
Steve Raymond
Sports Editor
Chris Compton
Photo Editor
Jason Key
Art Editor
Robert J. Edmonds
Business Manager
CORRECTIONS
Mistakes sometimes
occur in the production of
The Auburn Plainsman.
When corrections are
necessary, they are
printed on page A3 in the
following week's edition.
OUR VIEW
SGA elections wrong for editors
i t is evident that the Board of
Student Communications does not
need to serve in its current form as a gov­erning
board for The Auburn Plainsman,
the campus' financially independent stu­dent-
run newspaper.
Evaluation into the purpose and bound­aries
of the board is needed. The Alabama
Press Association has petitioned President
William Muse to conduct such an inquiry.
However, there is another relationship
between Comm Board and the publica­tions
it "advises" that must be changed,
and now is the time to act.
Editors are elected to office
through an SGA-sanctioned elec­tion.
For many years the editor
of The Auburn Plainsman and /iLHH^'ihbJ
the Glomerata have been' /_ '
elected to office by the / Qlpf>10fctfj~A;
student body. A popular
vote tabulated by the
SGA governs the elec­tion
process. This is
an archaic way of
determining an editor, and
is not a common practice
on other campuses.
Only SGA positions
should be determined in
a SGA election. A publi­cation's
editor does not
fall into that category.
No wonder SGA thinks
it can dictate editorial
content when they are
the ones who count the
ballots.
When there is more
than one candidate for
Plainsman editor or
Glomerata editor,
those candidates par­ticipate
in the election process alongside
SGA candidates.
This is not the appropriate arena for
editors of newspapers or yearbooks to be
decided. It is time for a combination
approach between the publications' staff
and the department of journalism (or an
advisory board consisting of qualified
delegates — not SGA, fraternity, nor
Spade-stacked student members).
The staff of the newspaper knows its
writers better than anyone. No amount of
speeches to fraternities or clubs can
demonstrate an individual's work ethic.
The ability to
the way is seen on a daily basis.
Campaign promises are not appropriate
for the non-political arena of editorship.
Student consensus would still be pre­sent
if editors were elected by members of
the staff of the publication. For example,
any and all students from all majors are
welcome to write for The Auburn
Plainsman; therefore, all students would
have an equal opportunity to run for edi­tor.
Editors of campus publications need to
be armed with skills related to their trade.
The race for editor should not be a popu­larity
contest. However, popularity is a
factor in the nature of student politics.
Individual qualifications take a back seat
to fraternity membership, gender,
charisma and political affiliations on
campus.
SGA has every right and
responsibility to govern its
election of officers. This is
inclusive of its executive
officers, Senate and cabi­net
members. But editors
should not fall under
this category.
Students are repre­sented
through the
members of the
Plainsman staff who
know and work daily
with its "candidates."
It is dangerous to
leave the position up
to a popular vote
because popularity
does not ensure an ethi­cal
editor.
Nor does a good
debater or public speaker
naturally translate into a
competent leader.
Auburn shouldn't take
that risk.
Only promise what you can deliver
There is a certain irony in a
University that preaches ethical
business practice to its students,
yet ignores its own oversight of
ethical code.
The University practice
which gets under my skin is
that of over-selling student tick­ets
at sporting events. It hap­pens
during baseball season
and continues through basket­ball.
Now, I can see the business
aspect behind this dangerous
practice.
As a marketing major I can
appreciate the "bottom line"
and "empty haul" concepts, but
I can't appreciate the hazard
created for fans week after
Robert Edmonds
week in an overcrowded Beard
Eaves Memorial Coliseum.
Prior to the basketball game
over-sellouts, fire lanes were
policed, enforcing proper safety
guidelines. Crowds weren't
allowed to linger in the fire cor­ridors
of Beard- Eaves.
I'm not anti-fan. I happen to
be a season ticket holder for the
past three years. I just want to
see our Tigers rise to No. 1 in
the AP Poll, not the death toll.
Athletics Department officials
wanting to pad their budget
with extra revenue from unethi­cal
sales practices are wrong.
Athletics Department man­agement
please ask yourself,
"Would you feel comfortable
with an injury caused by safety
violations you intentionally
neglected because of profit mar­gins?"
We may all think it's improb­able
that a large disaster will
occur in the coliseum, but I
recall a gymnastics arena bon­fire
during the LSU game a
couple of years back that
could've toasted a body or two.
And, it doesn't take but a
smoke-filled coliseum to
asphyxiate 10,500- plus fans as
they attempt to fight their way
out of an arena that barely
accommodates in ideal condi­tions.
Is it right that so many peo­ple
died on the Titanic because
of a lack of lifeboats? Is it right
to ask 10 friends over for din­ner
when you only have food
for eight? The Athletics
Department thinks so. It's a
question of ethics.
RolicH lil
la^crlor 77)
moncL is misincss
A unurn Plainsman.
SGA president defends Comm Board resolution
Earlier this century, someone coined
the phrase, "only in America," eluding
to the hopes, dreams and freedoms pro­vided
by this great country.
Recently, in the past year, many stu­dents,
alumni and supporters shake
their heads and say, "only in Auburn,"
eluding to the darkly veiled efforts to
damage our University by certain indi­viduals
on campus who should, instead,
be standing up to protect this great
institution.
Several years ago, Alabama slashed
higher education funding. Coupling
these funding cuts with increased oper­ating
costs, our administration and
board did the responsible thing by find­ing
ways for our University to operate
more efficiently, stay more focused on
the curriculum of which Auburn is
renowned, and conservatively increase
tuition revenues in a way that would
not make the dream of an Auburn edu­cation
impossible for the children of
average, working-class families.
As the president of the Auburn
University Student Government
Association, I have the opportunity to
sit and work with our administration
and Board of Trustees on a regular basis.
Their efforts over the past year to pro­vide
leadership and direction for our
University has been sincere, necessary,
and will provide a better University as
%
we approach the 21st cen­tury.
One member of the
board, Robert E. Lowder,
caught significant opposi­tion
for his leadership in
trying to address budget
constraints at Auburn
over the past year. In
fact, many people on
campus decided that
their survival depended on the removal
of Mr. Lowder from the board.
Otherwise, continued elimination of
programs and departments whose pur­pose
had long since become unneces­sary
might cost them their jobs.
As a result, certain individuals decid­ed
to use the student newspaper as a
means to remove Mr. Lowder and
reverse the direction that had been
taken over the past year by the board
and administration. And use they did.
Numerous articles that were personal
and malicious began running on a con­sistent
basis to do one thing - build up
student and alumni opposition to our
board in general and Mr. Lowder in par­ticular.
The strong determination of these
individuals became painfully evident to
me when one of them said recently that
they were going to continue to run front
page stories in The Auburn Plainsman
i
Will Stegall
attacking Bobby Lowder
until he left the board.
You might think that
person was an immature
or irresponsible student.
Sadly, it was a member of
the Auburn University
faculty.
After reviewing several
months of coverage of
The Auburn Plainsman,
student leaders realized the newspaper
had been terribly biased and unbal­anced.
We realized some action must be
taken by students to insure that our
newspaper was not continuously used
for personal or political agendas. Not
only was the coverage of board mem­bers,
students and particularly Mr.
Lowder personally malicious and inac­curate,
we found the coverage and edi­torial
content to be in violation of
University policy on several occasions.
That is why five students who serve
on the Board of Student
Communications joined together last
week to take appropriate action. The
board passed a resolution that put the
Plainsman newspaper editor on notice
that she had not followed University
policy on numerous occasions.
Furthermore, we called on her to fol­low
official policy that includes fairness
and balance in news coverage with no
L
evidence of furthering any personal
political agenda.
Let me state very clearly that students
understand and respect the freedom of
the press. We do not wish to inject our
opinions into the news or editorial con­tent
of the Plainsman. But, as student
leaders, we do expect the newspaper to
be fair, balanced and operated in con­cordance
with official policy. Any other
statements about the motivation of
Auburn student leaders who supported
this resolution are untrue.
We are blessed to attend Auburn
University which, as the Auburn Creed
says, "gives me the knowledge to work
wisely and trains my mind and my
hands to work skillfully." As SGA
President, I am proud of the role our
students, faculty, alumni and board play
in keeping Auburn one of our nation's
premier universities.
Students believe our newspaper has
also played an important role at our
University. However, it is critical that in
the future the editor does not allow the
Plainsman to be used as a political tool
by anyone, whether they be a student or
faculty member. That is not threatening
the freedom of the press, but protecting
the fabric of this great institution.
Will Slcgall is SGA prcsulonL I leisa guest
columnist lor The A ulnirn Plainsman.
Lee Davidson
Lowder wants
'just the fax9
Robert Lowder is ready to talk. But,
guess what? It's only on his terms. Fair
enough. But, here's the breakdown of
events - FYI.
A recent timeline:
Monday, Jan. 11,1999 — 4 p.m.
I called Lowder at his office at
Colonial Bank and spoke to Betsy, a
receptionist. I asked to speak with
Lowder to set up a personal interview,
and was told he was on the other line.
Betsy said she would give Lowder the
message, and he would return my call
at his earliest convenience. (This has
been a common occurrence since
attempts at communication began on
Oct. 23,1998.)
Monday, Jan. 11,1999 — 4:30 p.m.
Lowder called my office at The
Auburn Plainsman. (This would be the
uncommon — unprecedented — occur­rence.)
He was courteous and cordial on
the phone.
He asked what I was calling for, and I
requested an opportunity to meet with
him in person to conduct an interview
for The Auburn Plainsman. Lowder said
his schedule was full for the next two
days, that he had a board meeting
Friday, but he could probably meet with
me during the middle of the following
week. He said he would call me back
the next morning to confirm, and that
tentatively he would have time to talk
Wednesday Jan. 20.
Tuesday, Jan. 12,1999 — 4:30 p.m.
I received the following fax from Mr.
Lowder which read:
Dear Miss Davidson:
"I have now had the opportunity to
consider your request for an interview,
and I am happy to grant it. In the inter­est
of clarity, I would ask that you sub­mit
your questions in writing, and I will
respond just as soon as I can, given my
travel schedule, in writing as well.
I look forward to hearing from you."
Sincerely,
Robert E. Lowder
(To me that says, "I want to say I
accept an interview without having to
answer your questions directly, prompt­ly
or without consulting others first." —
This is just my interpretation, mind
you.)
Friday, Jan. 15,1999 — 1:10 p.m.
I called Lowder's office again, to say
that I had received his fax and appreci­ated
his acceptance to participate in cor­respondence
with The Auburn
Plainsman, but would still prefer an in-person,
tape-recorded interview. I spoke
to Betsy who said she would relay the
message on my behalf.
I had three main reasons for request­ing
a personal interview. First, I stressed
the importance of a face-to-face inter­view
.citing the benefits of having eye
contact when conducting an interview.
Then I mentioned I would appreciate
the liberty of being able to ask follow-up
questions to questions Lowder would
perhaps answer with "no comment",
"you are wrong" or "that's not true."
Finally, I said it was not a routine
practice for journalists to fax questions
given no time restraints for a returned
submission — even given Mr. Lowder's
"travel schedule" which I interpreted as
giving him ample time to consult any­one
(a PR flack, an attorney, Will Stegall
or whomever he wanted to reach on his
cell phone) before returning the "inter­view"
to The Auburn Plainsman.
I then asked if it would be possible
for Lowder — at his convenience — to
meet me in person at the Plainsman
office either before or after the 11 a.m.
basketball game at the coliseum
Saturday, since he would be in Auburn
for the game anyway.
Betsy said she would relay the details
of my message to Lowder.
Friday, Jan. 15,1999 — 3:20 p.m.
Glenda, from Lowder's office,
returned my call on behalf of Betsy. She
simply asked if we had sent the faxed
questions to Lowder yet, to which I said
we had not, because of anticipated
response from Lowder agreeing to a
meeting in person. This was not the
case. Glenda said the terms of his inter­view
stood.
Present Day ,
We will accept the terms of the inter­view,
although we regret the fashion in
which they must be presented, and the
obvious opportunity for Lowder to '
rehearse his responses, and run them by
legal counsel if he wants. I am grateful
for the agreement to an "interview," but
I thought the conditions of the faxed
facts merited reader attention and a dis­cussion
of the sequence of events which
led to this eventual reality.
Apparently, it's getting a little too hot
in the kitchen for the master chef.
Lee Da viilson is alitor of
The Auburn Plainsman
ThursJayJan. 21,1999 TneAuLurnPlaiin sinan A7
ON THE CONCOURSE
Should the students elect the Plainsman editor?
Interviews and photos by Allison Lacy, photo staff. TO THE
JESSICA WESSLER
Junior, environmental science
"Yes, if you keep in mind quali­fications
and experience. I don't
think it should be a popularity
contest."
ANDY THOMAS
Senior, human deveCdpment-famiCy studies
"Yeah. We have the right to
choose the person that would best
fit the job."
WES HOLLAND
freshman, phuosophy-reCigion
"I think the students should
have majority decision in it, a
good portion of the decision
going to the previous editor."
MITCH HOLLAND
Sophomore, undeclared
"I have no idea what goes into
choosing an editor and I don't
think most students do."
JAMELA SMITH
Senior, history
"I think the students should
choose it. They have to give us a
true sense of freedom even
though it's false."
LETTERS POLICY
Reaction
to board
disappoints
Editor, The Auburn Plainsman,
So I'm going to class as usual,
pick up a Plainsman, then what is
this? There were 10 articles,
including one very misplaced one
on the sports page supporting the
editor in the recent events sur­rounding
the Communications
Board meeting, where Ms.
Davidson was chastised. A few
things must be clear. She is not
being censored, she was being
censured.
What I find sad is the reaction
she had following these events.
This edition of the Plainsman
could have been one where she
showed journalistic integrity by
presenting both sides of the story,
what a journalist is supposed to
do. Instead she places one article
from a Communications Board
member in the paper and then
countless other articles supporting
her. She may say, "no one else
wrote anything else supporting
them." Then she should have at
least made it fair by only allowing
one or two articles in support of
her.
Now we hear about all these
conspiracies, with big acronyms
and secret Spade meetings where
Lowder pays millions to have a
completely benign action taken
against the editor for slamming
him. I know first-hand that
Lowder had nothing to do with it,
and also that although Spades did
vote in favor of it, the creator of
the bill itself was not a Spade.
The edition wasn't journalism,
it was bordering on slander, if you
take the "armpit" comment into
consideration. As a responsible
journalist, the editor should report
facts, and while the opinions of
the newspaper should be allowed,
there should be a fair representa­tion
of all parties. Ms. Davidson,
whether you were right or wrong,
the Plainsman is not your plat­form.
Bryan Chappelle
Senior, chemical engineering
Ignorance, egos interfere
with quality of journalism
Editor, Tlie Auburn Plainsman,
I cannot describe the fury that overcame me upon
discovery of the Comm Board's decision to censure
Lee Davidson. Total ignorance, or either disregard
the value of the First Amendment, is the only
excuse I can see that resolution writers Asim
Masood, Will Stegall and Ching-Wei Tzeng might
have.
My father and mother own and operate a weekly
newspaper in Marengo County. They wrote stories
about the sheriff exposing his misdeeds and corrupt
activities. They were "censured" in the sheriff's
own way (i.e. death threats, vandalism, and adver­tisement
boycotting) for printing news that "contin­ued
to crowd out other news after he felt the story
should have been dropped," as Auburn's omnipo­tent
Mr. Ching-Wei Tzeng was quoted as saying. To
make a long story short, those with the same atti­tude
of your Comm Board looked like blooming
idiots after the sheriff, two of his deputies, and 66
other crooks were arrested.
Keep writing Ms. Davidson!
I am very impressed that Mr. Stegall has had the
luxury of making the acquaintance of Bobby
Lowder. If Mr. Stegall has his cell phone number
and can call him any time, as he claims, someone
needs to hand him a Kleenex because his nose is
dirty. I hope the illustrious SGA President isn't real­ly
as starstruck as he appears to be.
And last, but not least, the egotistical Asim
Masood. Masood said, "We're the chief group in
charge — the publisher." Does the name Adolf
Hitler ring a bell to anyone? Being a "tactful and
careful" journalist, as Masood said Davidson
should be, is being a fluffy public relations person
who distorts the truth to ensure something appears
to be more glamorous than what it really is.
My parents started off printing small stories
about the sheriff. The negative reaction they
received from the sheriff and his cohorts immedi­ately
sent up a red flag telling them that something
was seriously wrong, which led to bigger stories,
ultimately exposing his abuse of power and his
imprisonment.
It distresses me to see the negative comments
from these people who are totally uninformed
about the significance of the First Amendment.
Thank the good Lord for freedom of the press. My
hat is off to everyone at The Auburn Plainsman for
doing an outstanding job.
Keep writing Ms. Davidson. You never know
what you'll uncover.
Warmest regards,
Goodloe Sutton Jr.
Birmingham
Class of '97 journalism and
former Plainsman reporter
HARM further criticizes Muse
Editor, Tlie Auburn Plainsman,
In your editorial, "Anti-Muse
aggression misplaced," in the
Plainsman of Jan. 14, you state
"The plight of higher education ...
is the result of a lack of funding at
the state level. It is evident that
some programs must be cut..."
This is exactly the point from
which HARM criticism of
President Muse departs. It is not
evident that some programs must
be cut. Furthermore, as Dr.
Folkert's meticulous inspection of
President Muse's plan regarding
the College of Science and
Mathematics shows, the cutting of
degree programs and the merging
of departments will not, by itself,
save money, and it will certainly
not "strengthen" Auburn
University. In certain areas, such as
environmental biology and dis­crete
mathematics, President
Muse's plan threatens to severely
debilitate or destroy international­ly
recognized research groups and
degree programs that have devel­oped
at Auburn by pure luck, and
not through the institution of any
grand scheme by this or any previ­ous
administration.
What is pretty evident is savings
will be achieved only by "down­sizing,"
reducing the number of
faculty, staff, and administrators.
Firing tenured faculty is difficult
and even expensive; therefore,
downsizing the faculty will take
place by attrition, by not replacing
faculty who retire or who leave
Auburn for some other reason.
Whether or not a departing faculty
member should be replaced is a
decision that ought to be made
with reference to the particulars of
the case. As down-sizing by attri­tion
proceeds, some degree pro­grams
may die a peaceful, digni­fied
death, a natural death. The
faculty, who are criticizing
President Muse, is wondering why
we need a grandiose plan which
trashes or destroys degree pro1
grams and well functioning
departmental units, when the sav­ings
achieved by gradual, case-by-case
down-sizing through attrition.
Fine chap, though he is in many
respects, President Muse suffers
from management faddism of the
Total Quality Management variety.
It seems plain to me that he is bent
on applying TQM formulas to the
management of Auburn
University. I contend that his plan
for Auburn is not the inevitable
result of the demands of the Board
of Trustees, but rather of his
uncritical commitment to TQM
dogma.
Whether or not I am right about
that, on close inspection his plan
makes almost no sense, saves no
money, and ravages hard-wrought
degree programs.
Yours truly,
Peter Johnson
Professor, discrete and statistical
science
Learn your history before embarassing yourself
Editor, The Auburn Plainsman,
I think it used to be a common thing for those
applying themselves at institutions of higher
learning to know a little something about histo­ry
— ours and other nations'. I think it was also
un-extraordinary to expect them to understand,
at least in part, the relationship between a free
press and a free society.
Then along trots Will Stegall, Asim Masood
and Ching-Wei Tzeng. With tears in their tiny
eyes and cracking voices sing-songing the bad
ol' Plainsman is making their Auburn look bad,
they pen a prettified resolution that says the
bad ol' Plainsman can't do that. They don't like
it, they scream, fists pounding on their SGA
high chairs.
How did these three stooges ever gain
enough credibility to even be in the position of
drafting any resolution much less one that is
heard and passed by Comm Board? And
Comm Board: Shame on those of you who did­n't
dismiss this poppycock with one wave of
your pinkie fingers. What a dangerous prece­dent
you have helped set.
It may take drama, even zealotry to expose
what has become institutionalized
business-as-usual when things are as slack and
corrupt as they are in this "Lowder" adminis­tration.
Either way, if Auburn is going to enjoy the
accolades the Plainsman brings to campus with
consistent award-winning journalism, then it
must suck it up when the blades turn to dissect
campus problems.
To Asim and Ching-Wei: Your names suggest
you have a lineage not of this country. Perhaps
you should ask relatives how the freedoms you
enjoy here compare to those abroad.
The United States is the only country in the
world that offers the freedoms it does, and
those are due, in large part, to a free press that
serves as a tool for accountability. It can only do
that when it is allowed to function away from
the confines and meddlings of any government
agency. If the U.S. government can come to
grips with that, I don't think it's too much to
ask that Auburn's SGA figure it out.
It is true the Plainsman does not fall under
the same guidelines as private newspapers
(although I've worked at some that applied far
less professionalism).
But beyond a yearly elected editor who must
be approved by Comm Board, the Plainsman
has very few differences. It makes its own
money, supplies its own equipment, pays its
staff, either meets deadlines or suffers the con­sequences,
and it is obligated to the same rules
of presenting facts as they are.
If Lowder wants to be a child and refuse
interviews, that's his fault. Lee and her staff
ft
have sought out other board members and
Lowder loyalists who've offered balance to
news stories. As for personal columns, they are
always opinionated.
That's why they run on the Opinion-Editorial
pages. If editorials are negative when an editor­ial
board voted for positive, then the gripe is
between Lee and her staff. Only if that staff is
continually usurped does Comm Board have
any right to step into the battle.
I'm embarrassed that I will share an alma
mater with Will Stegall, Ching-Wei Tzeng, Asim
Masood and that clique of little boys-club kiss-ups
when they graduate. My new challenge has
become trying to rationalize a believable excuse
of how you three and your pinheaded ilk
slipped through the admission's cracks.
On the other hand, Lee, I am proud to share
my coterie with you. You and your staff have
already proven yourselves worthy of the
Plainsman spirit as well as Auburn's REAL
family tree of excellence.
War Eagle,
Jan Clifford Stephens
Plainsman Editor 1994-95
Jellyfish
just never
get a clue
Editor, Tlie Auburn Plainsman,
In case you are wondering
whether you have friends, you do
have many, even if most of them
aren't in a position to offer any
more than moral support.
The articles about Robert
Lowder, like those about about
the airport and other controver­sial
subjects, were well-executed
and entirely within limits of fair­ness
and decency. It was obvious
that opponents of your position,
including the subjects of the arti­cles,
had ample opportunity to
join the discussion in the
Plainsman.
The charges of the
Communications Board's majori­ty
are so patently absurd that one
wonders what is motivating
them. I don't know anything
about this Spade group they
belong to, but I would like to
nominate them all to the Jellyfish
Club, named in honor of a crea­ture
that has no brain, no heart,
no backbone and drifts with the
current.
Keep up the good work.
John H. Hand
Professor emeritus of finance .
All letters to the editor
brought by in person to
The Auburn Plainsman
office must be signed
by the author.
All letters to the editor
received via e-mail or
regular post must
include the author's
name, address and
telephone number.
Each letter's legitimacy
will be verified. Names
may be withheld at
request of the author.
HOW TO REACH US
The Auburn Plainsman
office is located in the
basement of Foy Student
Union. To report a news
story or idea stop by our
office or give us a call.
Main Office 844-4130
News 844-9109
Bill Barrow
Campus 844-9109
Charlotte Mcintosh
Sports 844-9104
Steve Raymond
Intrigue 844-9112
David Ching
Ad Dept. 844-9102
Robert J . Edmonds
E-Mail:
plainsm@mail.auburn.edu
Web Site:
http: / /www.theplains-man.
com
Mailing Address:
B100 Foy Student Union
Auburn University, Ala.
36849
Leave Lowder family out
of differences with Bobby
Editor, Tlte Auburn Plainsman,
I read in the Atlanta Journal-
Constitution yesterday about
what I assumed is your "spat"
with Bobby Lowder.
I knew Mr. Edward Lowder for
many years and never knew any
one more devoted to Auburn. It
seems to me that you ought to
restrict your differences to Bobby
Lowder only rather than "cring­ing"
when going into the Lowder
Business Building named for his
parents.
Mrs. Lowder is a real lady, and
you should be ashamed of mak­ing
a remark like that if you were
truly an Auburn person.
Sincerely,
James H. Weeks
Class of 1948
FarmHouse has no
hidden agenda, motives
Editor, Tlie Auburn Plainsman,
In your column, "Student
Spades vote for censure," you
seem to imply that members of
the Communications Board are
part of a conspiracy between
Spade and certain fraternities to
control AubjUrn'University. Lean-not
speak as a Spade or as a mem­ber
of Fiji, but I can speak as a
brother of FarmHouse Fraternity.
Let me begin by saying I under­stand
that you have a right, to
defend yourself in the face of the
controversy now being presented
in the Plainsman.
However, I feel you have need­lessly
brought my fraternity into
the debate as an alleged member
of your conspiracy.
While FarmHouse does have a
large number of men involved
with campus organizations, it is
not trying to exert undue influ­ence
on our campus. I was per­sonally
insulted that, in your arti­cle,
being a brother of FarmHouse
Fraternity is equated with having
"ulterior motives and hidden
agendas." The brothers of my fra­ternity
(especially myself) do not
want to rule this University, either
through institutions such as the
*
SGA or IFC, or through some sort
of secret conspiracy. In fact, the
majority of my brothers have little
or no interest in the bickering that
is flowing out of Foy Student
Union. The dedicated men of
FarmHouse who have served and
will continue to serve this univer­sity
should not be portrayed as
power mongers, but as men who
want the best for Auburn
Lfniversity.
)1 understand you dispute with
the members of Comm Board and
support your right to defend
yourself. However, defend your­self
against the individuals and
organizations involved. Do not
allege wrongdoing on the part of
organizations of which you know
nothing about. Instead of trying to
shift focus of the argument to
another arena, answer the criti­cisms
that have been made. In
closing, I believe my fraternity has
served this university well and
will continue to do so for many
years.
Brent Brown
Senior, secondary school-social
science education
V
TkeAuWnPl lamsman
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
Tkursdayjan.21,1999
Birthday celebration looks toward parents to instill King's values
BY JENNIFER PAGE
Asst. State/Local Editor
. Examining the past and envisioning the
future were the themes of the 24th annual
Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebra­tion
Monday.
The 2 p.m. celebration was held at
King's former church, the Dexter Avenue
King Memorial Baptist Church in down­town
Montgomery.
Master of ceremonies was the Rev.
G.W.C. Richardson, pastor at Hutchinson
Street Missionary Baptist Church in
Montgomery.
Program director and organizer Bobby
Jackson, who is also involved in the
Montgomery Heritage Museum, has been
involved in the King birthday celebration
for 24 years, and Richardson noted his
achievements.
"(Jackson) has persevered through
opposition," Richardson said, noting
Jackson's humanitarian works in and
around Montgomery.
"We will remember him as a great
humanitarian, a people person and a lover
of mankind," he said.
Jackson said the road to the completion
of his dream of a "big celebration of
King's birthday" was not always smooth,
"but I've enjoyed the fight."
The program placed particular empha­sis
on young people in attendance.
"Leadership is a God-given virtue
entrusted to only a few people," Jackson
said. "We must entrust it to our young
people, so we are not without it when we
no longer have the leaders of today."
Richardson agreed. "We will ride on the
shoulders of young people into the
future," he said.
Excerpts from some of King's speeches
were played as people began to fill the his­toric
church.
In her invocation, the Rev. Mary Jo .
Smiley admonished parents to remember
to instill their values into their children.
"If you don't teach them, they'll never
know them," she said.
Fourth-grader Brittany Williams spoke
about her experiences as a student at the
MLK Junior Elementary School.
"Dr. King used his life to try to change
the injustice around him," she said. "He is
a role model to me because he suffered to
make life better for the world.
"I see through him that I should also
stand up for my beliefs, even through suf­fering."
Brittany told about a dream she had
about King in which she showed him
around her school.
"I showed him how to use the comput­ers
and fax machines," she said.
"I thanked him for making my life bet­ter,"
Brittany said.
Noted historian and author Richard
Bailey gave historical reflections on the
20th century.
Bailey gave examples of how the worst
times in African-American history in
Alabama and the United States came just
before breakthroughs and triumphs for
the culture.
"The darkest hour is just before dawn,"
he said.
In addition to examples from the 1800s,
Bailey used several examples from the
20th century.
Although "separate but equal" public
buildings remained in the 1950s, King
came to the Dexter Avenue Church in
1955. Rosa Parks also sparked the
Montgomery bus boycott in that year.
Bailey gave several examples of how
"1963 was a bad year for black people."
Then-Gov. George C. Wallace began the
year with his infamous "Segregation now,
segregation tomorrow, segregation forev­er"
speech, civil rights leader Medgar
Evers was assassinated in Jackson, Miss.,
famed author and NAACP founder
W.E.B. DuBois died, Birmingham church
bombing killed four young girls, King was
jailed in Birmingham for non-violent
protests and in November, President John
King profile: Courageous man
of God, peace, progress, prosperity
CONTRIBUTED
Martin Luther King Jr., and his son,
Martin Luther King III, look to the future.
F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Also in 1963, Bailey pointed out, was a
march on Washington, D.C Led by King,
it was meant to lobby for the passage of
comprehensive civil rights legislation.
That march was also the setting for King's
famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
J. William Covington, executive assis­tant
to the superintendent of the
Montgomery County School Board, spoke
about education in the 21st century.
"It is unfortunate to say, at the dawn of
the 21st century, that there are still two
roads to education in America,"
Covington said.
"The high road tends to be suburban,
white, middle- to upper- class and private
schools," he said, "while the low road
tends to be urban, poor, often black and
public schools."
Covington said each road leads its chil­dren
back to their familiar environments,
so that the rich stay rich and the poor stay
poor.
"Although there are programs designed
BY NICHOLE QUINN
Staff Writer
One of the best known advocates of
non-violent social change strategies was
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jan. 18 is a day of celebration for the
life and heritage of this great man.
King was born in Atlanta Jan. 15,1929.
He was the grandson of the Rev. A.D.
Williams who was a founder of Atlanta's
NAACP chapter, and the son of Martin
Luther King Sr. who was also a minister
and civil rights activist.
King studied the ministry at
Morehouse College and went on to
receive his Ph.D. in systematic theology
from Boston University.
King's involvement in the desegrega­tion
of Montgomery bus lines, and the
Montgomery Improvement Association
gave him prominence as a great orator
and civil rights activist.
In 1955, five days after Rosa Parks'
refusal to segregate on a Montgomery
bus, biack Montgomerians launched a
bus boycott.
King was then president of the
Montgomery Improvement Association
and instrumental in the boycott.
As a result of the boycott, King's house
was bombed, and he was convicted of
conspiring to interfere with the bus com-;
pany's operations.
Because of King's personal courage
and leadership ability the montgomery
bus lines were desegregated in December.
1956. .- .,
In 1957, King and other southern black
ministers founded the Southern Christian
Leadership conference. King was elected
president and emphasized voting rights
of black americans.
During 1963, King and his staff held
mass demonstrations starting in
Birmingham and ending in a march in
Washington.
Aug. 28, 1963, on the steps of the
Lincoln Memorial, King delivered is
famous "I have a dream" speech to
250,000 protesters.
That demonstration received a reaction
which led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. >
In 1964, King received the Nobel Peace
Prize and was named Time magazine's,
man of the year..
In Memphis, Term., April 4,1968, while
assisting a workers strike, King was
assassinated.
"If a man hasn't discovered something
that he is willing to die for, he isn't fit to
live." King said.
to patch the potholes (such as remedial
education and dropout prevention pro­grams),
the progress of the next 100 years
will depend on the products of the public
schools," he said.
"We must break the vicious cycle of
educational deprivation and poverty, and
demand that the two roads meet at the
intersection of equal educational opportu­nities
for both groups," Bailey said.
Bailey also encouraged more public
involvement in and support of public
school systems.
School choirs from Loveless Elementary
School, Lanier High School and Carver
High School also performed to standing
ovations.
The program ended after people of both
races joined together in singing the civil
rights anthem "We Shall Overcome."
£ £ He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who
accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. — MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., 1963 j ^
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C
Saturday: 10-2
(Hours subject to change. Closed M-F 12-1 for lunch.)
Call:
8
4
4
+
JOIN THE BRIGGS & STRATTON
AUBURN UNIVERSITY AND SOUTHERN
UNION STUDENT PROGRAM
PART-TIME OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR FULL-TIME AUBURN
UNIVERSITY AND SOUTHERN UNION STUDENTS WITH A CUMULATIVE
GPA OF 2.25 OR BETTER
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:
ASSEMBLY OR MACHINING
Mon, Wed, Fri (24 hours/wk) 3:30 -12:00
Tues and Thurs (16 hours/wk) 3:30 -12:00
EXCELLENT PAY & BENEFITS:
New increased entry level pay of $7.48 per hour with
progression to $8.55 by end of first year. Paid holidays
after 90 days. Paid vacation after first year.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested and qualified Auburn University Students may apply at
the Career and Student Development Center in 303 Mary Martin
Hall and Qualified Southern Union students may apply at the Career
Development Office in the Administration Building located on the
Opelika campus.
• * • T
Thursday, Tan. 21, 1999
The Auburn Plainsman
A9 -
OTHER NEWS
Police units control Klan rally
BY DAVID PATTON
Staff Writer
The Ku Klux Klan rallied on the
steps of the Jefferson County
Courthouse in Birmingham
Saturday to protest Martin Luther
King Jr. Day.
About 30 Klansmen, whose
members were from out of state
(primarily Indiana and
Arkansas), faced more than 400
heavily armed riot police and
numerous protesters.
News helicopters circled near­by,
. while a State Trooper heli­copter
was continuously over­head
to monitor the event.
The atmosphere was tense, as
Klansmen (and women) broad­cast
their views over a low-quali­ty
sound system to an unrecep-tive
crowd.
The Klan's rhetoric primarily
targeted African-Americans,
homosexuals, Jews, white "race
traitors," and miscegenation
(interracial marriage).
One Klansman said, "I hate
(blacks), but I'm not here for
hate," while wiping his nose with
the Israeli flag.
Another Klansman spoke about
"Jewish ploy to mastermind
America," then joined with the
other Klansmen _mm__mmm^_^mi
in a "white
power" salute.
The crowd was
not receptive to
the Klan's
rhetoric.
P r o t e s t e r s
gathered on both
sides of the
C o u r t h o u s e
steps, separated
from the Klan by
a cordon of riot police.
Many of the protesters wore
yellow ribbons and "Stop Racism
Now" stickers.
The anti-Klan protesters out­numbered
the Klan 10-1.
One woman said, "We want to
show (the Klan) that racists are
not welcome in Birmingham."
ALLISON LACY/Photo Staff
People of all races and ages joined together in protest of the Ku
Klux Klan's protest of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the steps
of the Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham Saturday.
Many of the protesters shouted
over the Klan's speech, and sever­al
crowd members blew referee's
whistles when the Klan made
particularly offensive statements.
This prompted one Klansman
in a black robe to shout, "You
• ^ • want a riot?
Well (black per­son),
we can
start a riot right
here."
The crowd
matched the
Klan's message
of hatred with
one of inclu­sion,
as blacks
and whites
came together
• to reject the message of hatred
and intolerance that the Klan
preached.
Many protesters held up signs
bearing the words "Trust Jesus,"
"Jesus was a black Jew," "Krazy
Konfused Klowns" and
"Agnostic queers for race mix-
"It's not about hatred
between the races,
just those hooded
fools up there."
Anti-Klan protester
ing."
Despite the heightened racial
tensions caused by the Klan, the
event was peaceful.
Birmingham Police Chief Mike
Coppage said, "The worst thing
that happened was having to
work on Saturday."
The police reported only minor
altercations with a few potentially
violent protesters.
Police staffing the metal detec­tors
at the rally entrances found
no weapons.
"I'm very proud of all the offi­cers.
They were very profession­al,"
Coppage said.
"The City of Birmingham can
take pride in itself. Black and
white, Christian and Jew, came
together," Coppage said.
One protester, who had been
carrying a Jamaican flag embla­zoned
with the image of the late
Bob Marley, said of the Klan, "It's
no big deal. It's not about hatred
between the races, just those
hooded fools up there."
Council votes against
school board expansion
BY JOSH WYCKOFF
Staff Writer
The school board is representa­tive
of the entire student body
already, said Carolyn Mathews
and other members of the
Auburn City
Council which
denied the
request to expand
the five-member
board to seven
e m b e r s
Tuesday.
"I think that the
'philosophy has
always been that
each school board member repre­sents
every child," Mathews said.
T don't see anyone else coming
on the school board to represent
other classes."
The question of whether the
school board properly represents
the community was raised at the
Committee of the Whole meeting
held before the 7:30 p.m. city
.council meeting by David Cicci,
who said the two black and three
white members did not represent
»the" wide variety of citizens in
Auburn.
"There is no lower or middle
class represented," Cicci said.
The matter was brought to a
close when it was pointed out
that most school boards in the
state have five members, and a
state-wide vote would have to be
held to change it.
The council proposed an ordi­nance
to comply with state fire
safety standards when burning
trash outdoors. It
states that bonfires
or rubbish fires
must be at least 500
feet from any struc­ture
on adjoining
property.
The city fire
code, which states
that fires must be
only 100 feet from
any structure on
adjoining property, was proposed
to be changed to
the state stan­dard,
but did
not pass.
"It is against
the law for peo­ple
to burn less
than 500 feet
from a struc-t
u r e , "
Councilwoman
Cheryl Gladden
said.
Although the
Auburn Fire
Department will grant a permit
for anything farther than 100 feet,
if complaints are filed for any­thing
closer than 500 feet
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MATHEWS
Gladden warned "the residents
may still be fined on second
warning."
In other actions, the appearance
of several public streets will be
enhanced by the addition of trees
along the sides.
The council approved a resolu-tion
for a tree
"The philosophy has
always been that each
school board member
represents every
child."
CAROLYN MATHEWS,
Councilwoman
commission to
plant trees on
private property
that is on public
streets in order
to help beautify
the city.
The new trees
will be planted
farther back
than older trees,
which have
been cut due to
interference of
power lines.
The council will meet next at the
Auburn City Hall Feb. 2 at 7:30
p.m.
EVERY PRE-OWNU
T r,
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JUST FOR THIS WESKffflJH
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PROTEGE
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All We Do
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A10 The Auburn Plainsman Thursday, Jan. 21. 1QQQ
Find out
nowtosned
winter
weigjkt
B8
Thursday, Jan. 2 1 , 1 9 99
Tkei l A u b u r n Plainsman
Semester planning continues
As the quarter system
draws to a close,
students will face
mandatory counseling
BY EVA BOYINGTON
Staff Writer
In preparation for the semester transition in
the fall of 2000, all students will be required to
attend mandatory advising starting next quar­ter.
"Mandatory advising means students will
be electronically blocked on the telephone and
on the Web until they have seen their advis­er,"
said Rebekah Pindzola, associate dean of
liberal arts.
Pindzola said mandatory advising will be
used to make sure all students are where they
should be with the upcoming semester transi­tion.
"All students must meet with their adviser.
They must plan out what they are going to be
doing for the next several quarters as they
move toward the semester transition,"
Pindzola said.
The College of Liberal Arts has developed a
Plan of Study 2000 to further help freshmen
and sophomores become prepared for the
change.
Linda Seay, senior liberal arts academic
adviser, said the Plan is to encourage students
to have their three-quarter
sequence classes completed "(Students) ITIllSt plan
by the fall of 2000.
The Plan of Study 2000 lists
the University's core curricu­lum
that students need to
have completed before the
transition takes place.
Students make mock
schedules for each quarter
leading up to fall quarter of
2000. The plan will be used to
keep students focused on the
transition.
Christine Curtis, coordina­tor
for the quarter-semester
transition, said in addition to
mandatory advising, the
Student Success Center is
going to provide students with tips on how to
adjust to the semester transition.
In the semester system, most classes will not
meet five days a week.
"In the quarter system we have a lot of five-hour
classes," Pindzola said. "On the semester
system we will have a lot of three-hour class­es."
Pindzola said classes will typically meet
Monday, Wednesday and
Friday for 50 minutes, or
Tuesday and Thursday for
an hour-and-a-half.
Peggy Kirby, senior liber­al
arts academic adviser,
said this change could give
students a false sense of
security.
She said they may believe
they have more time to
complete assignments.
"Students have to be very
careful to keep up with
their assignments on the
semester system," Kirby
said.
An appeals process has
been approved for students
who feel they have been harmed by the tran­sition
from quarters to semesters.
out what they are
going to be doing for
the next several
quarters as they move
toward the semester
transition."
REBEKAH PINDZOLA
Associate dean of liberal arts
Interviewing made simple
BY LAURA SUSAN BAMBERG
Staff Writer
If you are a senior and plan to
graduate within the next few
quarters, you will plan on going
to interviews and job searches.
Many students are nervous
about this, and the Student
Success Center has a possible
solution.
This solution is called the
College Life Series. From Jan. 13
to March 10, a series of classes are
being offered in Foy Student
Union on a number of topics.
Some of these topics include
Test-Taking Skills, Choosing Your
Major, Healthy Relationships and
Interviewing for Campus
Organizations.
Coordinator Nancy Bernard is
in charge of Career Services, and
she spoke of a number of ways
students can enhance their edu­cation
through career develop-,
ment.
Career Testing, Career
Counseling and Job Search
Assistance are services that could
prove vital to many students.
Job Search Preparation is one
of the many services offered. For
those graduating seniors, this
option offers "mock interviews"
and "interview strategy sugges­tions."
This is helpful because it offers
students the chance to practice
the skills necessary in interviews.
This is beneficial because when
CALEB, T. SLATON/Photo Staff
Matt Burns, a junior in civil engineering, accesses job information on the computers at Career
Development Services in Mary E. Martin Hall. This is one service offered to job-hunting students.
these students go on actual inter­views,
they will be prepared.
Feb. 4, 1999, a course called
Interviewing for Campus
Organizations will be offered.
Several students were asked if
they would find this course ben­eficial.
All but one are seniors
and will enter the work force
soon.
Gigi Gregory, hall director of
Owen Residence Hall, has
already been "out there" and said
she would find it beneficial,
"because it is nerve-wracking
and you need to learn how to do
it."
Desherri Peoples, a senior in
management, said, "Yes. It
would be beneficial to provide
necessary skills in interviewing
and would enhance career ser-please
see INTERVIEW B3
Read about
wnyBo
Jackson was
recognised in
New York.
B6
S e c t i o n B. 8 page
CHRIS COMPTON/Photo Editor
John Cottier joins in the fight to save the anthropology program.
i P R O P O S S D L A M P U i
Anthropology
degree may merge
BY THOMAS BOYD
Staff Writer
Anthropology's future is uncer­tain
with a proposed merger into
the sociology program.
The anthropology and sociolo­gy
programs at the University are
not pitted against each other.
The faculty's offices are on the
same floor of Haley Center, only
doorways apart. Its students often
take courses taught by the same
teachers.
But they are more like cousins
than sisters. They have common
blood, but different parents.
Anthropology is a four-field
program, with focuses in archeol­ogy,
physical anthropology, cul­tural
anthropology and linguistic
anthropology.
The sociology program focuses
on sociological methods, social
theory and social statistics.
The University has marked
anthropology as a low-priority
program. Anthropology faces a
merger into the sociology pro­gram
and the elimination of an
independent anthropology
degree.
Students now enrolled in the
anthropology program will
receive their bachelor's degree.
Students who come after the
merger will not.
Instead, sociology will offer a
degree with a concentration in
anthropology, or there will be a
social science degree, with stu­dents
able to take a sociology
track or an anthropology track.
Mary Cameron, one of three
anthropology professors, said,
"We will lose our discipline, acad­emic
identity and autonomy."
For anthropology students,
either of these options may be
detrimental.
Anthropology students fear
they won't get a specialized
degree if the merger takes place.
Shylon Smith, a senior in
anthropology graduating this
quarter, said, "No anthropology
graduate schools want someone
with a degree in sociology, or vice
versa."
The field of anthropology
wants students with post-gradu­ate
degrees, she said.
"We won't get specialization if
the merger happens," Meagen
Bruce, a senior in anthropology,
said.
"Students will be limited if they
can't get specific anthropology''
studies and see what's really out
there."
Jay Collins, a junior in anthro­pology,
echoed these concerns.
"The program will lose its in-depth
classes, and there will be
three star professors who won't
be able to do their job," he said.
John Cottier, associate professor
in sociology and anthropology
head, said anthropology is a
viable program at the University.
"We believe that a merger
would not be in the best interest
for both programs," he said. He
also called the merger economi­cally
unnecessary.
Anthropology was the sociolo­gy
curriculum until 1980.
Gregory Kowalski, chair of
sociology, said, "There has never
been a commitment on behalf of
the University to support anthro­pology."
He said the merger will save the
anthropology school. The sociolo­gy
department will ensure
anthropology maintains a strong
presence in the program, and will
"make sure they'll be here in the
future," he said.
According to the Contract and
please see PROGRAM, B3
Kappa Sig cleared in sexual assault; questioned over alcohol
BY CATY HOUSTON
Assistant Campus Editor
Kappa Sigma Fraternity is still awaiting
a report on its suspension status, which is
pending investigation with the
Interfraternity Council.
Jim Hardin, IFC adviser, said IFC met
with the Auburn University Department of
Public Safety Friday, Jan. 15, to go over the
investigation of the sexual assault charge
occurring Dec. 5 at Kappa Sigma's fraterni­ty
house located at 104 Hemlock St.
The grand jury issued a verdict of no
indictment concerning the sexual assault
case involving the Kappa Sigma pledge.
"It appears the fraternity was not
involved in the sexual assault," Hardin
said. "There was no encouragement or
assistance given by the fraternity."
However, Hardin said there are other
issues still under investigation.
He said there is a possible violation of
the IFC alcohol common-source policy.
Hardin said fraternities are not allowed to
have a common source of alcohol in the
house, such as a keg. He said members are
supposed to bring their own.
Hardin said another issue the IFC is
investigating is the theft of property from
the Tau Kappa Epsilon house by some
Kappa Sigma pledges.
"All these incidents seem to have
occurred around the same time," Hardin
said.
He said the next step in determining
Kappa Sigma's suspension status will be to
hold a meeting with the Committee on
Fraternities and Sororities possibly this
week.
"It appears the fraternity
was not involved in the
sexual assault."
JIM HARDIN
IFC adviser
B2
Find out how to prepare yourself
iorY2K.
NEXT WEEK
Read about Friday's Board of
Trustees meeting.
INDEX
Aerospace B5
ALUM B2
Campus Crime B4
Collegia^ Legislature B4
Greek Conference B4
Honorable Mention B6
Medical Technology B5
News Briefs B3
YQ2uKal*it y of Life Awards B- f 2
t fa
Ckeck out the Plainsman online at kttp://www.tneplainsnian.coni
i
B2 The Auburn Plaaiin sman ThursJayJan.21,1999:
Students: Are your personal accounts year 2000 friendly?
Computer experts say
the new millennium
will make history, but
may cause electronic
problems
BY RACHEL DAVIS
Staff Writer
The millennium is rapidly
approaching. Have you decided
were you will be on New Year's
Eve?
The more appropriate question
should be, "Where will your
computer be next year when the
clock strikes 12?"
The Y2K problem, better
known as the year 2000 computer
crisis, came about in the 1950s
when computers were first being
produced.
Houston Carr, department
head of management information
systems, said all computers have
dates built into their basic input-output
systems.
In these computer memory sys­tems
these dates are marked by
only their last two digits.
For example "1998" would
look like "98" to a computer.
When the new millennium
comes, the computers will read
the year "2000" as the year
"1900."
Carr compared this problem to
a new fire truck that had to be
serviced every 100 days or it
would not start. When the year
2000 comes, computers will
assume it is 1900. According to
the computer, it has not been
maintenanced for 99 years, so it
will not start.
This will not only affect per­sonal
computers. Telephone bills,
TOMMY ROWE/Photo Staff
The New Year brings more woe for computer owners as
they attempt to make their computers 2000 compatible.
credit cards, bank accounts and
grade reports are controlled by
computers.
How will this affect us as stu­dents?
The Auburn University
Bookstore has taken proper steps
to assure that its store computers
are "2000 friendly."
Katie Lee, director of the book­store,
said all of the registers
were purchased in the spring of
1998 and are 2000 compatible.
Registrar John T. Fletcher, said
they welcome the new millenni­um
gladly.
The former information system
was not 2000 compatible and
would have been difficult to
upgrade. With OASIS, the
Registrar's Office should have no
problem making the transition to
the 21st century.
Carr said there are programs
that can check the compatibility
of personal computers. They can
be downloaded from the
Internet.
He also said any computer that
was purchased after 1995 should
run fine in the year 2000.
Stephanie Burrer, a freshman in
physical therapy, said her dad is
a computer engineer working on
the Y2K problem with larger
companies.
"I have a new computer, and I
don't have any credit cards so L
don't think that this will be a.
problem for me," she said. '.
Kim Hollingshead, a freshman
in liberal arts, said she does not
really have any fears about the
upcoming new year.
"I talked to my bank about the
problem and they told me that I
didn't have anything to worry
about/'she said.
"Probably the most interesting
thing for students is to realize the
financial, political and societal
implication of this. They are liv­ing
in a moment in history that .
will not occur again for 1,000 .
years," Carr said.
Student Alumni & Board forming two groups
BY KEITH FARLEY
Assistant Copy Editor
The gap between students and
alumni may soon be thinning, as
the Auburn Alumni Association
launches its new program — the
Auburn Student Alumni
Association.
Board, a selected group of stu­dents
to charter the club and
determine its initial direction,
McGuire said.
The Student Alumni Board will
have a maximum of 35 students,
while the Auburn Student
Alumni Association will have an
"The pur­pose
of this
organization
is to foster a
relationship
between stu­dents
and
alumni," Jan
M c G u i r e ,
director of
Hall of
Honor and
Student Alumni
said.
To create the organization, the
Auburn Alumni Association
plans to form the Student Alumni
"This gives alumni the opportunity
to give back to the University
without signing a big check."
J A N MCGUIRE
Director of Hall of Honor and Student
Alumni Association
Association, unlimited number of students.
"The sky is the limit on the suc­cess
of this program," McGuire
said.
McGuire said about 350 other
schools have a student alumni
association.
Some of these schools have
implemented such programs as
Adopt-an-Alumni, in which
alumni can go to classes and
lunch with a students.
She also said the Student
Alumni Board might establish a
career information network,
where students can access alumni
in their fields of study, and ask
questions about their professions.
"This gives alumni the oppor­tunity
to give back to the
University without signing a big
check," McGuire said.
Daniel Floyd, a junior in politi­cal
science, said, "I feel that a def­inite
need is there to connect stu­dents
with alumni."
Students can accomplish this
by participating in Auburn
Student Alumni Association
activities, including the ALUM
Hospitality Tent on game days.
"Basically, I just wanted to get
involved on campus, and have
the chance to work with alumni,"
Tomeka Posey, a junior in opera­tions
management, said.
Floyd said, "Alumni are an
integral part of this University, as
much as the students are, and
you need to establish a coopera­tive
working relationship
between students and alumni."
Applications for the Student
Alumni Board can be picked up
at the main desk of Foy Student
Union.
Completed applications should
be delivered to the Auburn
Alumni Association, 317 S.
College St., no later than 4:45
p.m. today.
"The Student Alumni Board
will give students an opportunity CAU B ,, A| Qm%m ^
to develop a unique program,
meet other students and network Auburn alumni meet to discuss the formation of a Student Alumni
with Auburn alumni," McGuire Association and Board. Applications for the Board can be picked
said. up at the main desk of Foy Student Union.
Paid advertisement.
I f yOU take any reasonably smart person and tell them to
spend a year researching an industry, they can become
an expert if they WOrk at i t"
crazy," she recalls. "But I figured the worst thing that
could happen would be that the business wouldn't fly
and I'd end up being a lawyer after all."
As President of her class at law school, Christy already
possessed the leadership skills that entrepreneurs need.
Her publishing experience, however,
was limited to editing the Stanford
Christy Haubegger
women's magazine aimed at African-Americans.
Christy convinced the magazine's president to meet
with her, and his company agreed to help fund her
start-up. Christy launched Latina magazine in 1996, and
it was an immediate hit. Today, it has an impressive
circulation of almost 200.000. but it wasn't easy getting
there. One of the hardest things about being a young
entrepreneur is simply the fact that you are young.
The Secret Success Series
Name: Christy
Haubegger
Age: 30
Career Entrepreneur-
Founder & Publisher
Latina Magazine
l or someone
who is only 30
years old, magazine
magnate Christy
Haubegger has already put
together a pretty impres­sive
resume. She's won an
award from the Ms.
Foundation (also given to Oprah Winfrey and
Madeleine Albright), and Tom Brokaw named her one
of the "most influential people of the year" in 1996.
So how did she end up in company like that? Turns
out it all started with one simple question. "I took a
few business classes in school with some great profes­sors,
and they always talked about the search for that
mythical big idea," she recalls. "As a Mexican-American,
I'd always wondered why no one had ever produced a
magazine for Latina women. Then I wondered if I
could do it myself."
Christy graduated from the University of Texas in 1989
with a philosophy degree and immediately headed off
to Stanford University Law School. But as law school
graduation approached, she couldn't shake the maga­zine
idea from her head, so she decided to devote a
year to chasing her dream. "My friends thought
brings you information designed to help you achie ve your personal and career goals
Watch for the rest of this series in future issues of your school newspaper.
was
Law Review Still, she figured she could learn what she
needed to know pretty quickly. "If you take any
reasonably smart person and tell them to spend a year
researching an industry, they can become an expert if
they work at it," she says. "All the data I needed was in
the public library. Census data, information about the
magazine industry, books on how to write a business
plan, it was all there." In the meantime, she lived on the
cheap in San Francisco's Mission District and did legal
research to pay the bills.
Once Christy's business plan was done, she started to
show it to people who might be willing to invest the
millions of dollars she would need to launch a glossy
publication. "192 people told me no. I counted," she
says. "But most of them didn't slam the door in my
face, and I was able to learn a lot by asking them how I
could improve my business pitch."
Eventually, some good old-fashioned networking led
her to her first big investor. "If you don't believe that
stuff about using all of your contacts, you should." she
says. Turns out that Christy's classmate's aunt's
neighbor (follow that?) knew the editor of Essence, a
Potential business partners often
assume you are inexperienced.
"Nobody saw me walk into a
meeting and thought they were
looking at a magazine publisher. But
I persevered. You have to be prepared
to get over your pride and fake your confidence when
you need to."
While there is a certain glamour associated with being
the publisher of a major magazine. Christy still relishes
the role of underdog. "Each milestone means so much
more when you're a start-up," she says. "A major retailer
just advertised with us for the first time. To a larger
publication, it wouldn't be such a big deal. But when
they agreed to be in our magazine, we jumped up and
down and cried and hugged. Then, "she laughs, "we
ate ice cream."
As an owner of a growing company and Publisher of
Latina. Christy has continued to nurture her dream
magazine into a leading lifestyle publication, read by
thousands of dynamic, educated young women just
like herself. She
says that she
hopes to inspire
other young
women to pursue
their dreams
as well.
Secret
"Strong enough for a Man. But Made for a Woman"
'»
TWsdayJan.21,1999 TkeAuLurnPl, amsman B3
INTERVIEW CONTINUED FROM Bl
rices offered by the University."
Jonathan Murray, a senior in
nternational business, said, "Yes,
t would be a good service."
Scott Smith, a senior in market-ng,
also thought it would be a
good idea.
Although this course is more
useful to seniors, there are many
others to benefit students of all
ages.
There are even courses
designed to give students a
healthy body image and to teach
students how to have a Safe
Spring Break.
The services are offered in Mary
E. Martin Hall. There are listings
of summer internships and dates
and times of career fairs.
For easy access to this informa­tion,
visit their Web site:
http://www.aubum.edu/career/.
PROGRAM CONTINUED FROM Bl
Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Comer of Gay St. & Opelika Rd.
223 Opelika Rd, Auburn
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Irants Office, the anthropology
rogram isn't broke, or even poor.
\nthropology brought in $228,147
n external funding for research
rom 1994-1998. Sociology and
ximinology combined brought in
117,098.
Anthropology has an 8.2 gradu-ition
average over the last five
years, while sociology's average
was six, said John Pritchet, associ­ate
vice president of provost.
According to these figures,
"both programs are viable," he
said.
The enrollment in fall 1998 for
anthropology was 34 and 29 for
sociology. Both programs had 14
seniors in the fall. These numbers
fluctuate, but remain above
viablilty standards, Pritchet said.
The merger has not been voted
on yet. "We can't make a decision
until all data has been reviewed,"
he said.
"Anthropology faculty have
received five Competitive
Research Grants in Aid offered by
Auburn University and two
Humanities Development Grants
from the College of Liberal Arts,"
said Kelly Alley, professor of
anthropology.
All three professors have
received outstanding teaching
awards.
Greshams establish architecture prof essorship
Nashville architect Batey Gresham and his wife, Ann, have estab­lished
the first professorship in the School of Architecture.
Three faculty members who have shown distinctions in their career
— Gaines Blackwell, David Hinson and Samuels Mockbee — have
been chosen as recipients.
The Greshams gave a permanent endowment to establish the Ann
and Batev Gresham Professorship in the School of Architecture, a divi­sion
of the College of Architecture, Design and Construction.
"The sign of maturity of an academic unit is an endowed professor­ship
and we are grateful to the Greshams for their generous support of
architecture,"said D.K. Ruth, interim dean of the College of
Architecture, Design and Construction.
The endowment provides awards for three positions including a
$3,000 yearly salary supplement for varying years for e'ach recipient.
Selection was made by the dean of the College of Architecture, Design
and Construction after consulting with senior faculty in the School of
Architecture.
Parker classroom receives technology upgrade
The College of Sciences and Mathematics has a turned a Parker Hall
classroom into one of the most innovative, state-of-the-art computer
laboratories. The 46-seat room, called the 21st Century Learning
Environment is equipped with sophisticated computers as well as a
projection system and document camera.
"We wanted to create a space flexible enough to address different
teaching styles and requirements," said Dan MacCougall, director of
instructional technology in the College of Sciences and Mathematics.
Two classes used the facility after it was finished last fall, and with
the start of classes, several faculty are taking advantage of the class­room
this quarter.
A.J. Meir, an associate professor in the department of mathematics,
is teaching a sophomore-level differential equations class in the
room.
"I'm quite excited about teaching in it," he said. "It's a great setup,
and I think it will help students, especially those in math, to better
visualize abstract objects."
James Barnes, instructional media adviser with the division of
telecommunications and educational television's instructional media
group, had been working with faculty for more than five years to
develop high-tech teaching methods and facilities.
Summer youth program workshop planned
Auburn will again host a three-day workshop for program devel­opers
and coordinators of resident summer youth programs Feb. 28-
March 2 at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center. The
1997 conference has prompted the Outreach Program Office to coor­dinate
and host a follow-up program. This interactive-sharing work­shop
with similarly involved professionals and promote the
exchange of ideas and experiences.
This workshop is intended to bring those involved with a very
specific area of programming together to share ideas and develop
solutions to mutual problems. It is designed to be participatory and
interactive. The focus is on "how others do what I do." Cooperation
will result in making Summer Youth Camps more effective, efficient
and appreciated.
For more information, call the Outreach Program Office at 844-
5101.
—from press releases
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B4 The Auburn Plainsman Thursday, Jan. 21, 1999
Atlanta conference merges Biblical values Greek college life
Auburn Greeks join Southeastern students to
share Christian faith and learn about ministry
opportunities in their fraternities and sororities
BY HEATHER ROSE
Staff Writer
Fraternity or sorority members who
want to learn more about Jesus Christ
and the ways to share him with their
chapter can attend ——.———
Greek Conference '99.
Campus Crusade for
Christ, an interdenomi­national
student-led
Christian organization,
is sponsoring the con­ference.
It will be held in
Atlanta Feb. 5- 7.
Conference leaders
say it is a chance to meet
Greeks from the
Southeast and to share
and study Jesus Christ.
"It is a great confer­ence
for anyone in a fra­ternity
or sorority to
grow further in their
walk with God and to make the gospel
relevant in their own chapter," said Bill
Boldt, crusade director at the University.
Boldt, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha
fraternity at Texas, will speak at the con­ference.
Other speakers are Gary Runn, region­al
director of Crusade, and member of Pi
Kappa Phi fraternity at Alabama, and
"" Lorie Brown, member
of Alpha Delta Pi soror­ity
at Georgia.
Other members
of the crusade staff
working at the confer­ence
are Gorden
Flemming, the master
of ceremonies, and Lori
Maynard, who is in
charge of the main
meeting at the confer­ence.
"I'm excited
not only to meet other
Greeks from the
Southeast, but also to
grow in my walk with
God and to learn to
share him with others," said Sara
Galloway, a sophomore in communica-
"It is a
great conference
for anyone in a
fraternity or sorority
to grow further
in their walk
with God."
BILL BOLDT
Auburn's Crusade Director
tions.
Galloway will
head the Crusade
team traveling to
East Asia this sum­mer.
Erica Smith, coor­dinator
of the con­ference,
said they
expect about 100
students represent­ing
Auhurn to par­ticipate
in the
Atlanta meeting.
"Our greeks have
the most ability on
campus to impact
others," said Smith,
a member of Alpha
Chi Omega sorority.
Other schools
attending the con­ference
include: the
University of
Florida, Florida
State University, the
University of
Georgia, the University of Alabama and
Ole Miss.
Saturday night a Swag dance will be
held, combining the art of swing and
shag dance moves.
While many students will be attracted
to the conference to share their experi­ence
with other college Greeks, some say
they are simply called to the occasion by
a higher power.
Paige Jenkins, a junior in elementary
education, said, "God wants me there,"
when asked why she wanted to attend
JASON KEY/Art Editor
the conference.
For more information about Greek
Conference '99, call the Campus Crusade
office at 887-2858 or attend its meetings
Thursday nights in the Business
Building.
Students masquerade as politicians in mock legislative sessions
BY JENNIFER MCCULLARS
Staff Writer
The Collegiate Legislature, held
in Montgomery Feb. 18-20, offers
Auburn students a chance to
learn what it's all about to be a
government official.
The Collegiate Legislature is a
mock session of the Alabama
Legislature where students can
choose to be senators or represen­tatives,
Bob McGaughey director
for the YMCA youth and govern­ment
programs, said.
There will also be seminars on
ethics in government that stu­dents
can attend.
Felicia Abernathy, an Auburn
student and this year's Speaker of
the House at the mock session,
said, "This is a hands-on
approach because a lot of things
are relevant to political science
and public administration
majors."
There are about 160 students
involved from around the state,
and 35 of those are from Auburn,
Abernathy said.
The more students a university
has in attendance, the more
appointments they will get
because they are made up by the
percentage of people in atten­dance.
Before going to the legislature,
student's write their own bills
about issues concerning them.
Once the legislature is started,
students are put into groups with
others whose bills were similar
and they debate bills all day,
Abernathy said.
"There will also be an idea
swap and people can find out
what's going on at other universi­ties
as opposed to Auburn's,"
Abernathy said.
Even though the program is
modeled after the day-to-day
processes of the legislature, it's
not as accurate as the actual
process.
"This program is more of what
government should be like other
than how it really is,"
McGaughey said.
This is the fifth year the pro­gram
has been offered to college
students. The college session is a
spin-off from a 50-year high
school program.
Some government officials also
participate as speakers, and some
just like to come and see what's
going on, McGaughey said.
He said college students should
get involved in the program if
they are thinking about careers in
government because, "We really
need to develop ethical and moral
leadership for our future.'"
It is also a way for students to
see what it takes to put forth leg­islation,
McGaughey said.
Abernathy said it's important
for students to get involved
because, "it rfelps them develop
skills ahead of time."
"So, if they do decide to run for
office someday, then they'll have
some idea of what they're doing,"
she said.
Other universities attending
include: the University of
Alabama, University of North
Alabama, Troy State University,
Jacksonville State University,
Sanford and the University of
South Alabama.
"There will also be an
idea swap and people
can find out what's
going on at other
universities as
opposed to Auburn's."
FELICIA ABERNATHY
Auburn student, Speaker of
the House for Collegiate
Legislature
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Thursday, Jan. 2 1 , 1 9 99 Tne Auburn Plainsman B5
AUBURN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Experimental program pushes
boundaries of science, gravity
Nine aerospace engineering students
will maneuver an airplane dubbed the
Vomit comit,' test a space shuttle
robot, research futuristic material
B Y MIKE DELAUNE
Staff Writer
Two Auburn teams have been
selected to participate in the
Reduced Gravity Student Flight
Opportunity Program (RGSFOP).
It's a rare opportunity for
Auburn students to gain experi­ence
and further the goals of sci­ence
and technolo- ——:
gy-
They will conduct the experi­ments
in March at Johnson Space
Center.
The teams will work in "close
to a 0 G environment for 25 to 30
seconds," said John Lundberg,
assistant professor of aerospace
engineering.
The plane will rise to an alti­tude
and then begin a descent
the outside," of space shuttles
and space stations, Sebelius said.
Team DAMPER's project will
test the use of a new material,
PZT (piezoceramic tiles).
"This is a new material and any
research on it will be beneficial,"
Sims said.
"It's new working with PZT;
we don't know how it works, no
one does," Sims said.
In the experiment, PZT struc­tures
will be used to see if vibra­tions
in space can be controlled
more effectively.
An example of the type of
structure this could be used for is
the manipulator arm of a space
shuttle.
Five aerospace
engineering stu­dents
formed team
SNOOP (Space
Navigational Omni-d
i r e c t i o n a l
O b s e r v a t i o n
Platform.)
Four students
make up team
DAMPER (Damping Actively in
Microgravity Using Piezoceramic
Element Response) as part of the
program.
"This is the first time Auburn
has participated," said Christie
Sims, DAMPER team captain.
"We're excited to be in a league
of universities where we belong,"
Sims said.
Out of 68 proposals, 45 were
chosen.
Beside Auburn, other schools
involved include: Massachusetts
Institute of Technology and
Embry Riddle Aeronautical
University.
The experiments will be done
on a KC135 airplane, nicknamed
"the vomit comet. "
"This is the first time Auburn has participated.
We're excited to be in a league of universities
where we belong."
CHRISTIE SIMS
Senior in aerospace engineering and captain of one
of Auburn's experimental teams
that will cause the change in
gravitation aboard the plane. This
will be repeated multiple times.
"NASA requires one other per­son
be on board to offer publici­ty,"
Lundberg said.
TV stations WTVM of
Columbus, Ga., and WSFA of
Montgomery will cover the
flights.
Team SNOOP's experiment
includes a robot 6 by 6 inches by
10 inches that will maneuver
around obstacles and "go
through various targets," said
SNOOP team leader Karl
Sebelius.
The purpose of the robot in real
situations will be to do "regular,
routine observations, to check on
If condi­tions
are
bad, the
arm can
v i b r a t e ,
causing a
loss of time
and posing
danger to
the astro-n
a u t s
involved.
"PZT changes potential energy
to kinetic energy. When PZT
vibrates, it sends out a signal and
counter balances," Sims said.
The cost for both teams to par­ticipate
in the program is about
$11,000.
Both the University and the
Alabama Space Consortium are
expected to help with the expens­es,
Sims said.
Team SNOOP's members
include: Joey Broome, Kevin
Dries, Robyn Socal, Russell
Huffman and Karl Sebelius.
Team DAMPER's members are:
Christie Sims, Darron Grissom,
Jasmin Lindo and Christian
Nelson, all seniors in aerospace
engineering.
CONTRIBUTED
Thomas Denney Jr., assistant professor of electrical engineering, is providing physicians with
enhanced means of diagnosing the extent of heart failur