The following letter, addressed to University administrators, was sent to The Plainsman.

Dear Dr. Woodard and Auburn Administrators:

The Auburn Plainsman recently published an article regarding one of Auburn’s tenured professors upholding views and statements that are offensive to many students. 

It is surprising and discouraging that the University’s administration has not yet issued a formal statement addressing the issue. 

Since the article’s publishing, many of Auburn’s faculty have voiced their support for Auburn’s LGBTQ+ community, and this open letter is to show advocacy from students and to request a response from higher administration. 

It is clear that both students and faculty feel the weight of the silence emanating from Auburn’s administrative offices. I am certain you agree that Auburn University should strive to support the education and welfare of all students. 

Research has proven a campus with an unfriendly climate toward marginalized students has negative effects. A study by Silverschanz, Cortina and Konik measured the impact of a hostile campus climate on sexual minority students. In the study, academic well-being was defined as “students’ relationships with instructors, sense of being respected academically and sense of social acceptance.” 

The results showed a statistically significant correlation between the perceived hostility of a campus and poor well-being both psychologically and academically. 

The unfriendly environment currently perpetuated at Auburn threatens not only the identities of Auburn’s students but also their ability to succeed at this institution. Access to a safe and inclusive education is a right that all students have, and when that right is intruded upon, it demands a response. 

Remaining silent on this issue is unacceptable; indifference reverberates in widening circles and is felt by each of us. 

Oppression is undeniably intertwined with the history of this institution, and while these facts are not formally endorsed by the University, the echoes of discrimination linger still. 

With the knowledge of our past, it is the responsibility of each of us in the present, as members of the Auburn community, to fiercely and actively work against the well-worn pathways of injustice that many feet still follow.

Auburn Student Affairs recently released a new branding statement, which is displayed in our advisors’ offices. It states:

“Committed to the care and service of our students. Honest operating with integrity. Respectful of others and who they will become. Responsive in getting things done. Dependable through all challenges and successes. Passionate about the student experience and the Auburn Family.” 

To act with integrity, we must continually reflect on and question whether we are operating in alignment with our values. 

Has Student Affairs been responsive to uncertainty? Committed to the advocacy of students? Dependable through all challenges?

We hope to hear from you and the University in response to this issue and to see an outward show of support for the communities marginalized by the words of one of our professors. 

It is important to be mindful of the precedent set by our actions, and I ask that you consider the precedent set by your silence.

Signed,

Lauren M. Schlosser

Abbigail E. Madden 

Mya D. Strickland

Tyler Ward

Laine Harrington 

Shelby M. Singer

Laney Talbot

Camille R. Colter

Adia A. Foster

Lindsey N. Ashorn

Antoinette M. Knox-Davis

Aahil Makhani

M. Ifekauche

Angel A. Perry

Bryson L. Hayes 

Chase C. Chaplin

Jediael S. Fraser

Madeline C. Meadows

India Lassiter

Danielle R. Pezza

Meagan L. Jones 

David C. Walker

Cassidy M. Arnold

Ronni N. Martin

Jacob P. Landram

Sarah L. Lafrenier

Monroe T. Clayton 

Camryn Jones

Rebekah Lomax

Caroline V. Hale

Robert A. Blanton

Naja K. Williams

Madeleine G. Forbes

Hudson T. Sneed

Rebecca A. Lamb 

Meghan E. Hancock

Rachel Howell

Gabriella Chiovarelli

Brandon C. Rowand

Haley E. Stone

Catherine Briscoe

Shalini Pandey 

Erika J. Tyler

Lauren Dickerson

Samantha B. Bartholomew

Savannah S. Petrus

Kelly Blacksher

Kareith D. Dyce

Alex R. French

Katelynn Annotti

Beck M. Strange

Jordan E. Tucker

Isabelle E. Genin

Tyy McAlvin Russell 

Bri Thomas

Perian M. Reese

Bailey Del Favero

Kevin J. Alford

Claire S. Bailey

Davis S. Arthur

Catherine E. Loftus

Kimme Rice

Harrison F. Carter

Morgan Gladson

Abbey F. Brunault 

Regan A. Moss

Maddie G. Grace

Makalei Shorter

Lilly C. Walker 

Baylee A. Muench

Hayleigh H. Hallam

Nicholas K. Welcher 

Jordan P. Doss

Steven R. Vaughan

Allison S. Lambert

Gabrielle E. McKinnell

Mackenzie A. Aycock

Brianna P. Burks

McKenzie Shelton

Wade Jones

The opinions expressed in columns and letters represent the views and opinions of their individual authors. 

These opinions do not necessarily reflect the Auburn University student body, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.