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.
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