The Auburn Plainsman 10.08.15 Issue

Page 1

The Auburn Plainsman

Fall Fashion Issue inside

A Spirit That Is Not Afraid

Thursday, October 8, 2015 Vol. 123, Issue 8, 28 Pages

First copy is free. Additional copies 50 cents per issue.

Community

The tallest buildings on The Plains

Anne Dawson

Community Reporter

Citizens have concerns with the Downtown Master Plan, which suggests buildings as tall as 75-feet to be allowed in the downtown core. Because the potential buildings could be up to six stories high, it is feared by many that they will block certain views, specifically Samford Hall. It is also feared that these taller buildings will take away Auburn’s small-town impression that many have grown to love. Despite the prospective taller structures, Auburn already has a few buildings that stand taller than most. The tallest building in Auburn is in the middle of campus. Haley Center towers over all at 321 feet tall, according to the

Foy Inofrmation Desk. The next tallest building, Samford Hall, is 136 feet and 10 inches. Lowder Hall follows, standing at 90 feet and 8 inches. After Lowder comes Ramsey Hall, which is 85 feet and 2 inches. The third and fourth tallest buildings in Auburn are the Draughon Library and the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center, which are 78 and 77 feet, respectively. Planning Director Forrest Cotten said none of these buildings currently interfere with any views. Cotten said most complaints he has heard from citizens about the taller buildings have been about their aesthetics, not their height. Ac-

cording to Cotten, the appearance of a building is just as important as its height. Cotton also said he does not think the new projects will disrupt the view of Samford Hall. He said a 75-foot building should not compete with the 136-foot building. Logan Myrick, sophomore in building science, said he also did not think Samford’s view was at risk. “If any buildings are blocked, you can just take a few steps and then you can see it again,” Myrick said. Ward 5 councilwoman Lynda Tremaine said when she comes over the railroad tracks and sees the 68-foot Parker building, it looks out of scale with the rest of the two and three story buildings. Tremaine said downtown Auburn is a small, compact area, and that, while she encourages growth, six and seven story buildings would not fit with the rest of the structures already there. Tremaine said every time she crosses the train tracks, even after many years, she still turns to look at Samford Hall, and does not want this view jeopardized. “[Samford] signals that you’re home,” said Tremaine.

Samford Hall 136 feet 10 inches AU Hotel 77 feet

Ralph Brown Draughon Library 78 feet

Campus

auburn university

Concept of the front of the library from inside the Mell Classroom building.

Library will relocate books off-site Corey Williams Campus Editor

In an effort to increase study space in Ralph Brown Draughon Library, an off-site storage facility will be created to house materials that are currently taking up extra room on the third and fourth floors. Dan King, associate vice president for facilities, presented the proposal to the Auburn University Board of Trustees at its Sept. 25 meeting. “Within the library, there’s a great deal of pressure for individual space,” King said at the meeting. “Every day, students have to compete for that space. There’s not enough to go around.” The building will be located on University property, at 340 Skyway Drive. The move will begin in March 2016. Bonnie MacEwan, dean of libraries, said most students get their information electronically. However, she understands the need to keep physical copies around. “We have a lot of materials up here that aren’t used very often or, even better, are available electronically,” MacEwan said. “We’re calling it

» See Library, 2

Emilyy Enfinger / photo editor

student organizations

Hazing is ‘cardinal sin number 1’ at Auburn

Kris Martins Campus Writer

Fifty-five percent of college students in clubs, teams and organizations experience hazing, according to the most recent study from the National Study of Student Hazing. Five members of the Phi Gamma Delta chapter at the University of Alabama were arrested on charges of hazing on Sept. 30. At Auburn University, hazing has been connected to two deaths, one in 1990 and another in 1993. In recent years, the University suspended FarmHouse in 2009 and Sigma Chi 2013 on hazing allegations. Most recently, Phi Delta Theta was suspended this past February for hazing. The University integrates the Alabama State Hazing Statute into its Anti-Hazing Policy and defines hazing as “any action taken or situation created

intentionally or unintentionally whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule.” Hazing and failing to report hazing are both illegal in Alabama. Individuals can be found guilty of Class C misdemeanor for committing acts of hazing, according to Section 16-1-23 of the Code of Alabama. An individual or organization participating in hazing or who knowingly allows it forfeits access to public funds, scholarships, awards and grants. Christopher Lucas, Interfraternity Council Adviser, said one-third of the presentations IFC gives to freshmen and parents focus on hazing and hazing prevention. Additionally, the Auburn Man Program, a new member education program among the 29 the IFC fraternities, requires 85 percent of each chapter’s

new members to attend weekly educational meetings for the first six weeks of membership, according to Lucas. “I believe our undergraduates would say that cardinal sin number one right now at Auburn is hazing,” Lucas said. “And that’s the thing that will get you in the most trouble the fastest.” John-Michael Roehm, Auburn University Center for Student Organizations coordinator, said because hazing happens in various organizations, the Center strives to educate student leaders. Roehm said many students are unaware of the full scope of actions constituting hazing. “The simple fact is that all student organizations are bound to the Auburn University Student Organization Code of Conduct and the Code of Discipline, which strictly outline what hazing is,” Roehm said. “And as Alabama citizens,

we’re all bound to the law. It’s illegal to haze. It’s not just you going to have to be on academic probation. You’re going to jail.” The Office of Student Conduct addresses hazing at the student organizations presidents’ meeting and now residence life meetings each year, according to Nick Wiard, coordinator for Student Conduct. “We’re expanding the scope of who we’re talking to about hazing,” Wiard said. “There’s a lot of focus on (fraternities) in the media, but I think also that scrutiny has created tons of research and a great deal of information and education out of that area, but it’s applicable to everybody.” Pennsylvania-based lawyer Aaron J. Freiwald, who represented a hazing victim from Penn State University this year, said fraternities’ Code of

» See Hazing, 2

Duke Williams dismissed Page 8 See coverage of Brad Paisley’s concert on

ThePlainsman.com

LIMITED TIME OFFER!!!

$299.00 Per Eye

334-826-8778

1100 S. College St. Ste. 108 Auburn, AL

Appointments Limited! Includes 1 year, no charge, enhancements. Now doing multifocal for distance and near on both eyes. Valid with Student ID from a College, University, Tech School and Military

$399.00 per eye if you are under 43 years of age

Over 165,000 Procedures Done

Good only with this ad!

Financing Available


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
The Auburn Plainsman 10.08.15 Issue by The Auburn Plainsman - Issuu