EDITORIAL | People deserve the truth, no questions asked

“I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.” — George Petrie, The Auburn Creed

This semester, several controversies have taken place on the campus of Auburn University: most notably the slur in the snow outside Sasnett Hall and the stampede at Neville Arena. Given the school’s large student body, such incidents — no matter how unfortunate — are bound to happen on occasion, and they should be dealt with accordingly. But in order to accomplish this, our administration must honestly confront issues when they arise and support their words with meaningful action. 

The editorial board acknowledges the difficulty the university must face in handling these and recognizes the positive efforts. We also, however, want to speak truth about the shortcomings. 

Our First Amendment right to a free press exists that the people should have a clear view of local, statewide and national affairs. In penning it, the founding fathers recognized the need for open communication between a government and its constituents. 

The same is true for Auburn’s administration and its students. Ideally, such communication should be candid and thorough. When these standards aren’t met, it is crucial that we fight to reestablish them.

The university's response to the debacle at Neville seemed like a half-hearted attempt to save face. Admin emphasized that the chaos lasted for only “a brief moment,” as though this fact has some redeeming quality. In their second, more formal statement on behalf of the university, they went on to invoke Auburn’s “traditional and tested method of admission,” a poorly veiled red herring, included for no discernible reason but to distract from the problem at hand. 

After once again underscoring the situation’s brevity, the university noted the “few minor injuries and considerable alarm” that resulted. Though subtle, and perhaps unintended, this juxtaposition of “minor injuries” with “considerable alarm” implies an out-of-proportion response from victims and the community. Despite the incident’s relatively mild outcome, it is undeniable that far worse could have transpired. This possibility is what the university should acknowledge — and apologize for — rather than taking refuge in the fact that it got lucky. 

New standards were put in place soon after, and the injured parties were contacted and consoled. Following the incident, an injured student was invited to and subsequently attended a practice held by the men’s basketball team, where she met players and coaches. 

This was an honorable gesture from the university, no doubt, and it should be applauded. However, the issue affected the whole of the student body, even if indirectly, and it therefore warrants a school-wide apology. 

The Auburn community is smart enough to recognize that accidents happen, and it would have undoubtedly rushed to forgive such uncharacteristic mismanagement. But it is difficult to forgive when there is no admission of wrongdoing. Auburn must adhere to its creed and practice “honesty and truthfulness.” This is how they will maintain the respect of its community.

We thank them for the solutions but ask them for the truth — to be more communicative about the whole truth and less concerned about a public reputation. 

The other instance, the slur written in the snow outside Sasnett Hall, was the doing of an obviously misguided individual. The university cannot be directly blamed for this incident; nonetheless, the official response is riddled with the same kind of noncommittal language discussed above. 

The response immediately takes on a tone of self-preservation, ensuring readers that the act “does not represent the values of Auburn University.” Admin could have used this opportunity to inform students of exactly how they planned to remedy the situation, but they chose to rush to their own defense, insisting on the virtue of the university, which is frankly irrelevant to affected students. 

What’s the point of calling an investigation if its findings are never divulged? Even if no legal action can or should be taken, the university at least has the responsibility to keep students updated with regard to their safety. Conducting a full, thorough investigation and communicating the findings would be the first step in honoring Auburn’s commitment "to creating an environment where everyone is welcome, valued, respected and engaged."

Months later, the university's "investigation" was neither conclusive nor committed to taking action. The Plainsman requested updates multiple times, and the latest statement follows: 

"The university takes incidents of this nature very seriously. The Office of Campus Safety and Security, in collaboration with the Auburn Police Department and the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance thoroughly reviewed all available information regarding this incident. Despite these efforts, the responsible individual(s) could not be identified. The university unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination and harassment. We strongly encourage anyone who has information regarding violations of university policies to report it. Auburn remains steadfast in its mission of providing a campus where all students, faculty and staff feel welcomed, valued, respected and engaged," from executive director of public affairs Dr. Jennifer Adams on behalf of Dr. Clarence J. Stewart, Assistant Vice President for Campus Security & Compliance. 

It’s disheartening that Auburn must be asked for transparency in the first place, even more so to ask that actions align with words. We have a whole department dedicated to campus safety and security, whose self-proclaimed mission is “the safety of all students, employees and visitors.” 

A non-conclusive investigation of, what could be considered, a hate crime does not contribute to an environment wherein all people feel valued and respected. We need to know what is going on, and we need to know that our university will stand up for us. 

Plenty of similar scandals still swirl in recent memory. 

In March of 2023, for example, a man died after falling off a wall at Skybar, mere feet from campus, but not a word was heard from admin.

In June of 2024, an Opelika Fire Department battalion chief was charged with indecent exposure after allegedly revealing himself at an apartment complex largely populated by Auburn students. Still, neither an AUalert nor a Campus Safety Notice was released, regardless of the episode’s obvious relevance to life on and near campus. 

There are many notable events that the university has brushed aside, and students could recite them at the drop of a hat. Why does the university err on the side of silence rather than communication and protection? 

At the end of the day, the unconditional support shown to Auburn by students, employees, fans and everyone associated with the university is almost impossible to find elsewhere. It’s confusing and hurtful that this passion is met with vague excuses, if anything at all. 

It is about respect and truth, not reputation or gossip. As the founding document of our country and guiding words of the Auburn Creed proclaim, people deserve the truth.