EAMC calls AMC's new lawsuit 'frivolous litigation'
EAMC calls AMC's new lawsuit 'frivolous litigation'
JENNIFER ELLIOTT
Assistant State/Local Editor
East Alabama Medical Center not only has a probationary license but is now being accused of perpetrating a monopoly over other potential hospitals.
The plaintiff, Auburn Medical Center, is suing EAMC for intentionally restricting the private hospital from building in the area.
Becky Brown, public relations director for EAMC said, "This lawsuit is an example of frivolous litigation, and we feel Auburn Medical Center is trying to make us look bad to the public."
After the hospital was told by the Alabama Department of Public Health to attend a hearing in Montgomery, Ala. in response to building and inspection violations, EAMC decided to accept the downgrade of its license without a hearing.
"EAMC accepted the probationary license without protesting it," Attorney Hugh Smith Jr., the lawyer overseeing this case said.
Brown said, "We basically decided to accept the recommendation of the state."
But after agreeing to have its license downgraded, which restricts EAMC from expansions, Auburn Medical Center filed a lawsuit.
"Auburn Medical has placed a lawsuit against EAMC for them trying to monopolize," Max Stevens, former head of engineering at EAMC said. Stevens was responsible for notifying the authorities of the infractions occurring at the hospital.
The lawsuit states Auburn Medical Center applied for a Certificate of Need allowing the operation of the private hospital.
EAMC is accused by Auburn Medical Center of bringing about additions to its current facilities to prevent competition.
They are racketeering in hopes to keep other hospitals from coming, Stevens said.
Stevens said, "The reason they're doing that is to keep Auburn Medical from building."
EAMC can't legally prohibit another hospital from coming to the area, he said.
"They need to be stopped."
Brown said she thinks this lawsuit is just another attempt by EAMC to get what it wants.
"It's the same allegations, it's just against individuals instead of against the organization," Brown said.
According to a document of the lawsuit, Terry Andrus, administrator of EAMC is one of the defendants being accused of this monopolizing conspiracy. Auburn Medical Center seeks $30 million in damages and claims that EAMC said it was planning to make several changes but only to prevent its competitor from building.
The lawsuit states Auburn Medical Center was injured in its property and business by the alleged racketeering.
The EAMC-associated defendants have engaged in a "pattern of racketeering activity," according to the lawsuit filed.
"I don't think the courts will close down EAMC. That would be a huge mistake, but they need to replace the management, and they need to replace the board," Stevens said.
When the board approved the changes, it made them responsible, Stevens said.
Brown said, EAMC will be monitored during probation to ensure it continues its plan of corrections.
We are 75-80 percent complete with those corrections, Brown said.
A jury has been requested by the plaintiff to decide whether EAMC is guilty of these allogations, which consists of organized racketeering activity.
Tuition referendum will appear on ballot
SALLIE OWEN
Assistant Campus Editor
If you ever get a busy signal when you call the Foy Union desk or if you ever want to work out but the Student Activity Center is closed, spring quarter is your chance to take action.
The Student Government Association Senate voted Monday night to put a referendum on the spring quarter ballot. By voting on the referendum, students can decide if they want to pay $5 more in activity fees starting next year and another $5 more in 1998.
The funds would be divided evenly between Foy Union and Recreational Services and designated for those two budgets only.
Spring elections are April 9 and 10.
Mike Bliss, chairman of the SGA Budget and Finance Committee and a junior in biochemical engineering, said, "Now it's just a matter of public relations. We just have to make sure that as many students as possible are familiar with the issues and services."
For this referendum to pass, it would require 25 percent of the student body to vote, and two-thirds of them must approve it.
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"I think the key is making sure students vote," Susan Nunnelly, director of rec services, said.
Nunnelly and John Burgess, director of Foy Union, originally proposed one $10 increase, instead of the incremental one that SGA developed.
"That's fine. I want to support the change. I mean, we need the money so bad," Nunnelly said.
Burgess said, "We're so thankful to get anything."
He said other schools had gone with an incremental increase in the past. Louisiana State University increased funding for its student union $64 over six years.
"I think that was pretty bright for them to think of it on their own," Burgess said.
Ashley Killian, a member of the Budget and Finance Committee and a junior in political science, said, "Foy needs the money. This isn't enough to really get the job done, but we went with what we think would pass.
"We really want this passed. We realize that $10 is a lot to ask," she said.
The senators saw this as a chance to direct a tuition increase toward student services.
Roby Robinson, a Budget and Finance Committee member and a sophomore in chemical engineering, said, "We want to label this now and say this is student money."
Robinson said if this referendum fails, then the administration would have to raise tuition in the next few years, and money would go into the general fund instead of being earmarked for Foy or Rec Services.
Burgess said Foy is operating at a $100,000 deficit each year, and its reserve fund is down to about $400,000. Foy has gotten $7 per student per quarter since 1972.
"We can't improve a whole lot; we can just maintain," Burgess said.
Rec Services is currently funded out of the $12.50 per quarter student activity fee. It shares this fee with 13 organizations including SGA, the University Program Council and the Glomerata.
Rec Services' share of this fee varies from year to year. Nunnelly said this has made it difficult to make long-term plans. This referendum would allow her to plan ahead each year, eventually leading to more equipment and better services.
"Believe me, I'm gonna spend it to make some expansions," Nunnelly said.
AmSouth closes Glenn/Dean branch
LEE DAVIDSON
Assistant Intrigue Editor
After almost 20 years of successfully serving Auburn's community, AmSouth Bank has fallen prey to corporate downsizing.
The Glenn/Dean branch of AmSouth Bank is scheduled to close March 31, Jim Underwood, senior vice president of media relations for AmSouth, said.
AmSouth is consolidating the Glenn/Dean location and incorporating it into its other Auburn branch, located at 200 N. College St.
In December 1996, AmSouth sent letters to customers explaining the March 31 consolidation date, Underwood said.
"It was purely a business decision," he said. "There are 272 branches in the four-state area. It's about efficiency."
The downtown branch was opened in December 1994 to be closer to Auburn students. It was built on the site which had previously been home to The Flush, an Auburn landmark.
"At the time, we worked with the owners of The Flush in an effort to relocate their business, including the (front of the old building), but we were disappointed. It was not as successful as we had hoped," Underwood said.
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The bank is making every effort to ensure the same quality service and convenience that customers would expect from any AmSouth Bank, Underwood said.
"We realize some customers will move accounts as a result of our closing this branch, but that's just a fact of life," he said.
Gregg Van Leuven, a sophomore in business, has been banking with AmSouth since last January. He said he will continue to bank with AmSouth after they close the Glenn/Dean office because, "It's the only bank that is both in Auburn and in my hometown, and it's easier to transfer money from home that way.
"I liked (the Glenn/Dean) location because there is less traffic, and it had a drive-thru automatic teller machine, which I liked," Van Leuven said.
Sandra Capps, assistant branch manager at the Glenn/Dean branch said, "We are looking at other alternative locations to build an AmSouth drive-thru ATM."
Van Leuven said, "Sometimes I go to the Auburn Branch and it's so crowded that I go to the Glenn/Dean one where there is barely any line at all.
"I use ATMs a lot, and I wish they would set up another ATM at that location. It's the least they can do. Also, they shouldn't just have ATMs exclusively where banks are," he said.
Capps said, "We have had an ATM at Foy Union almost three years now."
Underwood said, "We are currently searching for an ATM in the Glenn/Dean area, and we are always looking for suitable areas for expansion."
Rob McCracken, a freshman in civil engineering, said, "I've never been to the Glenn/Dean branch. I always go to the downtown location because it's closer. I haven't had any problems banking there."
The closing of the Glenn/Dean branch is "a strategic decision" and plans are in the "developmental stage" for an additional branch to be built in the future, Underwood said.
All employees at the Glenn/Dean branch are being reassigned to either the Opelika or Auburn location, Underwood said.
Customers with safe deposit boxes at the Glenn/Dean office are being given the option of transferring their boxes to either the Opelika or Auburn offices.
"We currently have adequate safe deposit boxes at both locations," Underwood said.
"Customers continually request convenience. For this reason, we offer electronic banking services, a 24-hour operated customer service line, safe, well-lit ATMs and specifically designed student accounts," he said.
JEFFREY HAHNE
Intrigue Editor
The University Program Council confirmed this past Tuesday that Indigo Girls will be playing as part of the major entertainment for Spring Quarter.
"The concert will be held on April 25 at 8 p.m. in Beard-Eaves Coliseum," UPC Advisor John Burgess said. "Tickets will cost about $12 and will go on sale the first or second week in April."
"Indigo Girls will be on Friday as part of Splash into Spring," UPC Director Kathy Waterman said.
Burgess said the concert will be held in the "8,000 end of the coliseum."
Burgess was not informed who the opening act will be but said Indigo Girls "will bring their own opening act."
"We started talking about bringing Indigo Girls around the first of the month, but it got put on hold to see how JACKOPIERCE would do," Waterman said.
She said UPC plans on making block ticket sales a priority for the success of the concert.
"We want everyone to know that the block tickets aren't just for sororities and fraternities, they are for any group of at least 20 people," Waterman said. "They will go on sale before the regular tickets and are sold on a first come, first serve basis."
Waterman said they have all kinds of plans underway for Splash into Spring.
Anthony Clark, who plays Boyd on the show Boston Common, is scheduled for Monday, April 21. UPC has a verbal agreement for Clark to perform and will not be set in stone until the written contract is received.
"Some of the past concerts we have had haven't done so well. I'm a little nervous about Indigo Girls coming because it's imperative it does well," Waterman said. "I'm also excited about the opportunity to bring them here."