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EDITORIAL: Electing a diverse SGA signals student progress

By Editorial Board | Spring 2017 | March 4

Keck, a woman, and Justin Smith, an African-American man, hold the two most important positions in student government.

EDITORIAL: Ladies of the SEC: if you like it, wear it

By Editorial Board | Fall 2016 | September 14

It would be nice to think Walden is alone in this mindset — that there aren't really other people whose lives have been negatively affected by "ill-covered curves."

EDITORIAL: Transgender people should be able to choose

By Editorial Board | Fall 2016 | August 24

On March 23, 2016, North Carolina signed into law HB2, a bill that mandates people only use bathrooms that correspond with the sex listed on their birth certificate. 

EDITORIAL: We need to talk about sexual assault

By Editorial Board | Summer 2016 | June 20

Sexual assault, a topic of much discussion in recent weeks, is a rampant issue.

EDITORIAL: Speak now, there is no peace

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | April 28

On Sunday, April 3, Melissa Boarts lost her life.  Melissa's family called the Auburn Police Division because they feared for her well-being.  “I had called 911 to get help for her because she was threatening to cut her wrists,” Terry said.

EDITORIAL: Speak now, there is no peace

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | April 28

On Sunday, April 3, Melissa Boarts lost her life.  Melissa’s mother, Terry Boarts, called the Auburn Police Division because she feared for her daughter’s well-being.  “I had called 911 to get help for her because she was threatening to cut her wrists,” Terry told The Plainsman. “She has been diagnosed with bipolar [disorder] ... and PTSD.

EDITORIAL: We support the SGA Initiative

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | April 24

The last week of finals can be hectic; the chemistry of the student body shifts. Stress runs high as students try to prevent grades from running low.  Some student resort to "study-drugs" such as adderall, while others combat finals with more innocuous alternatives such as coffee.  In an effort to aid students during finals week, SGA President Walker Byrd and SGA President-Elect Jesse Westerhouse proposed an initiative that would prevent professors from assigning students projects that weight at least 10 percent of the class grade during finals week. 

EDITORIAL: University-sanctioned freedom of speech

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | April 24

Auburn University's Speech and Demonstration policy states that demonstrations, protests and speeches may only be conducted on the steps of Ralph Brown Draughon Library.  That is, unless you want to get special authorization from the Division of Student Affairs, in which case you may or may not be granted a permit to practice the first amendment at some alternate University-sanctioned location.

EDITORIAL: Protect ban on concealed carry permits

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | April 24

On March 22, Auburn's University Senate voted to condemn bill HB12. Proposed by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, HB12 would allow people with concealed carry pistol permits to carry on state college campuses.

EDITORIAL: Go out and apply for SGA cabinet

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | April 24

Spring 2016 Editorial Board Although the SGA elections have passed, there is still a way to directly influence the SGA's direction for the next year. 

State judges should be appointed

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | April 24

On March 7, the Supreme Court of the United States overruled Alabama's Supreme court, adding another example of federally appointed judges striking down the opinion of our elected state justices.

EDITORIAL: Not just another call to action

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | April 24

Unfortunately, calling for green initiatives has become a cliche.  Seldom passes a day where a college student is not directly exposed to a person or organization striving to preserve our earth. The inspiration these organizations attempt to instill is sometimes lost in the great green bog of environmental awareness.  Having so much exposure that impact takes a drop is a peculiar problem, and it's one that we must all acknowledge in order to get past it. 

Mental health cannot wait

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | April 24

Students struggling with mental health issues at Auburn University have the opportunity to make an appointment and usually have it scheduled within a week or two.

EDITORIAL: Doctor, doctor, you're making Alabama sick

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | April 24

Back in 2010, Robert Bentley campaigned on the promise that he would cure Alabama of its problems.

EDITORIAL: It's a family affair, Auburn

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | April 24

As inflation continues to devalue the dollar, the eternal struggle toward higher minimum wages trudges on.  Specifically, it has made traction here at Auburn University.

Editorial: Challenge to the student body

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | February 29

Throughout 2010-15, Auburn’s African-American student population has dropped by 86 students, even though there has been an increase of 2,000 students collectively.

Editorial: SGA election bylaws need revision

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | February 29

On December 1 every year, SGA candidates participate in Candidate Orientation and take the Election Law Test, thus beginning the short but significant process of becoming a part of Auburn's student government.  After over a month of idleness, campaign preparation begins January 14 and formal campaigning begins February 3. Six days later, voting begins and the creation week of student government winds down to a close, assuming all elections end with winners with majorities.  We implore the SGA to revise the current model of elections in order to increase student voter turnout and to give students a better chance to scope out the candidates' platforms.  But credit must be given where credit is due.

It is time to change the meal plan

By Editorial Board | Spring 2016 | February 29

Each semester, Auburn students who live on campus are forced to pay $995 for a meal plan and off campus students pay $300 for theirs. Students are being synthetically induced to increase demand for university sanctioned fast food restaurants such as Chick-Fil-A, Papa Johns and Panda Express.