The Auburn Plainsman A Spirit That Is Not Afraid
Snowhere like home
Thursday, January 30, 2014 Vol. 120, Issue 31, 30 Pages
Online
Staff Report
Men’s Basketball vs. Georgia See ThePlainsman.com for game updates Feb. 1
campus
a4
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, winter storm Leon coated Auburn with a light blanket of snow, effectively canceling classes Tuesday, Wednesday, Jan. 29 and Thursday, Jan. 30. Along with the University shutting down, many businesses and local eateries also closed up shop. Students were advised to stay off of the roads due to extremely icy road conditions.
Ice on the roads did not prevent students from braving the cold to throw snowballs, make miniature snowmen and take pictures in front of a frosty Samford Hall. For our coverage of the snowfall, see feature photos on A7 and photos submitted through social media on A13. ThePlainsman.com features photo galleries from the day of snow, as well as video coverage.
Emily Enfinger / staff photographer
Patrick Davis watches as Brenton Thompson throws snow into the air.
Campaign week chaos draws near Auburn eating local Plains to Plate offers healthier food options for students through local produce
Sports
Ben Ruffin
Campus Writer
a8
jon harrison / staff photographer
TOP: Jordan Procell smokes out of an e-cig at a local vape shop. RIGHT: Owner Nick Sherwood displays a vape starter kit at Vapor Craft located on North College.
University tapers the vapor
Tanner Tandem Sibling rivalry fuels individual and team success for Auburn’s Tanner sisters on the hardwood
intrigue
a12
Becky Hardy Campus Editor
Auburn’s smoke-free campus was initiated Aug., 21, 2013, but a recent reminder about electronic cigarettes being included in the ban has some students and business owners up in arms. “I see where they’re coming from because it shows the exact nature of what a cigarette is,” said Nick Sherwood, managing partner at Vapor Craft. “I think with [electronic cigarettes] being banned, I believe that it re-
moves people’s chances of showing individuality. Who is anybody to say they can’t do small things here or there. It’s not illegal, but we’re banning something that we haven’t proven to be bad, and, yes it hasn’t been proven to be good, but why not do the research?” Although the use of electronic cigarettes has not been proven to be bad, the University included them in the ban because of the unknown factor.
» See vapor A2
With the winter season reaching its peak in the prior weeks, many Auburn students have failed to recognize one of the biggest seasons is nearly just a week away from reaching Auburns campus, election season. Viewed by many as a time to avoid the concourse and the bombardment of overjoyed campaigners that lurk on the concourse, others who have put much of their time and effort into their dream of becoming a member of the Student Government Association, this time represents opportunity. For these Auburn students, the journey to fill a seat in SGA began back on Nov. 12 of last year with the first Major Candidate Info Session and will end with the election callouts on Tuesday, Feb. 11. However, the amount of work and preparation that goes on during this period is often overlooked. “There is a lot of behind the scenes work that goes on prior to the election,” said Wilson Yielding, senior in human exercise science and
behavior and candidate for treasurer in last year’s SGA elections. “Watching everyone come together and support the candidates is a lot of fun and really shows Auburn’s true colors and what the University is about.” During this period, candidates can use all of the help they can get to get their name and platform out to Auburn students. “For the people who want to get involved in elections, they can contact the candidates directly,” said Jessica Bishop, SGA executive director of elections. “The biggest way people can help is by voting and encouraging people to vote and look at candidates platforms.” In between deciding to run for a seat on SGA and the ending callouts, comes a large amount of work. A student running for a major candidate position must choose his or her platform, or what the main focus of the campaign will be, as well as build a campaign staff, design posters and billboards, and come up with a
» See Campaign A2
Burk family files $1M claim over daughter’s death Downtown store promotes local talent Auburn graduate fosters school pride through merchandise and art contest
INDEX Campus Opinion Community Sports Intrigue
A2 A5 A6 A8 A12
Ashtyne Cole
Community Reporter
In 2008, Auburn freshman Lauren Burk’s murder shocked the University, the town and every single resident. Now, six years later, Burk’s parents have filed a claim with the University, based on their belief that their daughter would still be
alive if Auburn had a campus police department at the time, according to WSB-TV. Courtney Lockhart was convicted for the kidnapping and brutal murder of Burk, and sentenced to death. According to Auburn police, Lockhart attempted to rob Burk while she was walking alone from a park-
ing lot on campus. Investigators say Lockhart then forced Burk into the vehicle, while making her undress. Burk jumped from the moving vehicle and was then shot in the chest. Burk was found on the Alabama Highway and died later at the East Alabama Medical Center.
Burk was a graduate of Walton High School in Marietta, Ga. and a member of the Delta Gamma sorority on campus. Burk was studying graphic design and art. Auburn University established the Lauren Burk
» See burk A2
Burk