Opinion

Letter to the Editor | Beware AI in classrooms

By Peter White | August 18

AI is taking over in classrooms. To be clear, this is a powerful technology with many useful applications, including in the university setting. There is evidence that it can aid in some aspects of learning. However, there is also strong evidence that it can significantly harm learning and even lead to a decline in human ability. And it is becoming increasingly possible—or even likely—that this technology is not as transformative or revolutionary as some of its boosters have argued.

A group of six young adults poses cheerfully on grass in front of a large brick building with a clock tower.

COULMN | Tips for Incoming Freshmen

By Jordan Bynum Wright | Columnist | August 7

Many of you may have grown up in Alabama and always wanted to go to Auburn. Many of you did not and just so happened to end up here. No matter how you got here, you’re here now and about to embark on a new journey. As someone who has a whopping one year of college under their belt, I feel that it’s most fitting for me to write advice for the entire freshman class.

Plainsman's Pointers | Panhellenic Playbook

By Ally Northridge | Content Editor | July 24

From Toomer’s Corner to eagle flights to game day chants, Auburn adores its traditions, and as August grows near, the campus waits in anticipation for one of its most beloved: Panhellenic recruitment. Here are five pieces of rush advice from your big sister who has already been through it.

Letter from the Editor | Decide who you are

By Brychelle Brooks | Editor-in-Chief | July 11

Auburn is a special place to me. Coming in, I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do with the rest of my life or even who I wanted to be. Really, I’m still not sure but I do know Auburn has helped shape me.

PLAINSMAN'S CHOICE | Best of athletics

July 2

Auburn sports reach a long way. Plainsman's choice 2025 best of sports highlights everything dealing with Auburn Athletics, from best home game to best female athlete.

PLAINSMAN'S CHOICE | Best food

By Sam Vise and Piper Bosart | July 1

Auburn is filled with many different restaurants, ranging from local gems to chain restaurants that are universally loved. The following restaurants are the top picks for The Auburn Plainsman’s food categories.

Letter from the Editor | Make the most of your season

By Sami Grace Donnelly | June 30

Whatever season you find yourself in, thank you for being here and spending some time with The Plainsman. People who know me know I have my roots as an advice columnist, so for my final letter, I am going to revisit those foundations. Here are five tips for making the most of your season:

PLAINSMAN'S CHOICE | Best Shopping

By Ella Walton | Newsletter Editor and Emily May | June 30

Plainsman's Choice 2025 highlights the best shopping in Auburn. From best new store to best downtown shopping, here is a list of The Plainsman's favorite spots for students to shop.

What is Plainsman's Choice?

June 30

Each year, the Plainsman’s Choice awards highlight the best places, events and activities in Auburn. Candidates are nominated by the editorial board and voted on by the entire staff. The hope is to connect with our audience of readers by sharing some personal opinions while also shining a light of favor on special entities within the Auburn-Opelika community.

COLUMN | Auburn’s own Medal of Honor Recipient: Celebrating General Jim Livingston

By Olivia Garrett | News Writer | May 23

General Jim Livingston is a Medal of Honor recipient, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General, but before all the medals and military accolades, he was just a young student on Auburn University’s campus, building a foundation that would shape his life and the lives of so many others.

COLUMN | How to deal with rejection

By Clara Herrero | Culture Writer | May 9

Rejection comes into our lives in all shapes and sizes — in friendships, relationships or academic experiences — and it is unavoidable that we will all end up experiencing this kind of feeling sooner or later. There are many methods one can use to cope with rejection, like focusing on new skills and enjoying different experiences.

COLUMN | Knowing I’m in the “write” place

By Sam Vise | Assistant Culture Editor | April 29

As I reflect on my time as assistant culture editor, I want to say thank you to The Auburn Plainsman for showing me that I’m in the "write" field. I have grown out of my shell and truly established myself as a writer and a journalist because of this organization. Thank you.

COLUMN | The Ups and Downs of the SEC

By Jordan Bynum Wright | Columnist | April 28

Whether it’s the chaos of Bama Rush or dominating showcases in just about every sport, the SEC draws a lot of eyes. While the spectacle that is the SEC is often glamorized, it is important to take a more holistic view of it. Though tailgates and Greek life may be fun, we should not gloss over the ways that the SEC, southern culture and our own campus culture often falls short.

Letter to the Editor | Give power and time to creativity

By Caroline Chesnut | April 24

Mary Oliver, poet, essayist, Pulitzer winner and famously degree-less college student, writes: “The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.” This quote won’t resonate with everyone, but it does with me. I bet it does with my fellow creatives, too — those who answered the call and spent their most formative years giving it power and time.

Hiring Freezes and Funding Cuts in Academia Graphic

COLUMN | Ivy League scrutiny: How an Auburn student responds

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | April 18

The Trump administration has threatened to withdraw hundreds of millions in federal funding to elite universities, and it shows little sign of letting up. With the crackdown on academia becoming more widespread, should Auburn students be worried?

Letter to the Editor | Research is under attack

By Bruce Gladden | Professor | April 18

Regardless of one’s political affiliations, leading the world in research is good for everyone. My request to Auburn students is to learn about the research going on at Auburn and other universities, what indirect costs are used for and then to educate their families and friends so that we can turn our leaders away from the dangerous direction we are heading with our precious world-leading research.

COLUMN | The road ends here

By Grace Heim | Assistant Sports Editor | April 11

This Auburn basketball team earned its place in Auburn history — through how they played, how they carried themselves and how they represented the Auburn family. I’m glad I had the chance to cover it before I graduate. And like any great run, it ended too soon.

Letter to the Editor | Prioritize pedestrians in the Loveliest Village

By Steve McKnight | April 6

While walking our dogs in downtown Auburn, my partner and I were struck by something. In a very literal sense, we were doused by a cup of water that had been thrown out of a speeding pickup truck. In the more abstract sense, we were stunned by the realization that our downtown — from street to sidewalk — belongs to automobiles, not to people.

Letter to the Editor | My apartment is being torn down. Here are my thoughts.

By Jake Yohn | April 4

Elm Court has been my home for the past school year. I’m not writing this to complain about having to change apartments and move my unusually heavy couch. I’m writing this to talk about the slow death of the Loveliest Village and the birth of an over-commercialized, unfeeling city.

Letter from the Editor | Voices of the Loveliest Village

March 17

As a staff, we want to bring a variety of stories, perspectives and identities into the spotlight as we acknowledge that the community of Auburn is not one-sided. It is multifaceted, deep and dynamic. Whether a socioeconomic category or a collegiate pursuit, these differences are important to see.