Opinion

EDITORIAL | Body camera footage belongs to the public

By Editorial Board | Fall 2021 | October 10

Recently, in an 8-1 decision, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that videos, recordings of 911 calls, photos, autopsy records, emails and texts are related to investigative materials and don’t have to be released to the public. This ruling infringes on the legal rights of Alabamians.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Unfair Funding Distribution in Alabama Education

By Hannah Rowe | Auburn Student | October 8

In June, Alabama received a $7.7 billion education budget, the largest in Alabama history. While some would say it was equally distributed among public K-12 schools, it did not do much in helping many schools that are in historically lower-income areas. An Auburn student encourages students and parents to advocate for equitable funding distribution.

COLUMN | Auburn receivers need to give offense a chance

By Larry Robinson | Photo Editor | October 8

If Auburn’s receivers don’t start playing some real football, the Tigers are gonna have a hard time beating Georgia on Saturday, or any other Southeastern Conference team for that matter.

COLUMN | Georgia is the perfect opponent for Harsin to win over doubters

By Larry Robinson | Photo Editor | October 5

Breaking the 22-year curse was a start, but the Harsin squad has a lot tougher teams on the horizon. If the Tigers can beat the Bulldogs on Saturday, Harsin could stand to gain even more support and win over doubters.

COLUMN | The new sex-ed bill is a good first step. Alabama still needs to do more.

By Regan Moss | Columnist | October 5

Only a few months have passed since Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law a sex education bill recognizing elementary and complete reforms to sex education at public K-12 schools across the state of Alabama. If brought to fruition, this law would mandate that several dire changes take place across the state in many facets of sex education. This is a good first step, but Alabama still needs to do more.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | The town hall on sexual assault proved our worst fears

By Joelle Woggerman | Auburn Student | October 3

To Joelle Woggerman, junior in biochemistry, the sexual assault Town Hall held Wednesday, Sept. 22 confirmed her worst fears: Auburn University does not care. In this Letter to the Editor, Woggerman expresses her disappointment in the administration and organizations present that were present at the meeting.

COLUMN | Auburn community silences sexual assault victims

By Regan Moss | Columnist | September 29

Disappointed with the town hall on sexual assault Wednesday, Sept. 22, many are still wondering who will confront the pervasiveness of rape culture on campus.

EDITORIAL | Why students should attend the listening sessions for the next president

By Editorial Board | Fall 2021 | September 21

Thursday, Sept. 23 the Auburn University Board of Trustees is hosting a listening session for students to express what they want in the next president. The editorial board encourages students to attend to ensure the next president represents our long-term interests.

EDITORIAL | What to know before the sexual assault town hall

By Editorial Board | Fall 2021 | September 19

Student Affairs is hosting a town hall to discuss preventing and reporting sexual assault on Sept. 22. The editorial board encourages all those who feel strongly to attend, but make sure you know the basics of reporting sexual assault first.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | What the editorial board got wrong about abortion

By Garrett Walden | 2014 Auburn Graduate | September 15

Garrett Walden, pastor of Grace Heritage Church and 2014 graduate of Auburn University, responds to a recent Plainsman editorial concerning Texas' abortion legislation.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | An introduction from the Office of Health Promotion & Wellness Services

By Judith White | Health Promotion & Wellness Services Coordinator | September 15

The Office of Health Promotion & Wellness Services provides a brief introduction to their Safe Harbor and Green Dot programs. Safe Harbor is a free and confidential advocacy service for any students, faculty and staff who have experienced any form of power-based personal violence. Green Dot is the bystander intervention program, that trains people on how to recognize the signs of power-based personal violence.

COLUMN | Auburn University has a sexual assault problem

By Dioselin Cruz | Columnist | September 14

"Auburn University has a sexual assault and rape problem. And as of now, the Auburn administration is actively contributing to rape culture." A columnist urges the university to take more action in educating the male population on campus about sexual assault.

EDITORIAL | Texas abortion ban sets dangerous precedent

By Editorial Board | Fall 2021 | September 12

On Sept. 1, Texas enacted the most restrictive abortion law in the nation, and all around the country women are asking the same question: What does the Texas abortion ban mean for me? This editorial is meant not only to serve as an explanation of the Texas and Alabama abortion bans, but also as a plea — Alabama, do not follow in Texas’ footsteps.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Vaccination essential to protecting Auburn Family

By Austin Blanton | Auburn Student | September 10

Student leaders across campus urge students to get the vaccine to protect their neighbors, their country and the Auburn family.

10 Easy Meals That Only Require a Microwave

COLUMN | Easy meals to make in a microwave

By Kara Mautz | Culture Writer | September 1

One of the most difficult things to learn as a freshman is how to cook for yourself and how to create meals without easy access to a kitchen and cooking supplies. Students share easy and sometimes weird meals that only require a microwave to make.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Auburn should embrace urbanism

By Patrick Reuther | 2011 Auburn Graduate | August 25

In response to a column posted in July, titled “Urbanization of Auburn leaving behind some community members", Auburn graduate Patrick Reuther writes that urbanism and its principles offer a path to sustainability and inclusion, and Auburn should be embracing it.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Auburn's answer to COVID-19? 'Party on'

By Bruce Gladden | Professor | August 24

It appears that Auburn University's answer to the greatest pandemic in our lifetime is, “Party on!” I guess that’s a personal decision also.

COLUMN | Mo Brooks fails to condemn terrorism in his anti-terrorism public statement

By Larry Robinson | Photo Editor | August 19

Following the standoff and the suspect's surrender to police, Alabama's 5th District Congressman Mo Brooks released a statement to Twitter — seemingly condemning and "understanding" the threat at the same time.

LETTER | Fred Kam: We need to take personal responsibility

By Fred Kam | Medical Clinic Director | August 18

Dr. Fred Kam, director of the Auburn University Medical Clinic urges students to take personal responsibilities — getting tested, wearing masks and getting vaccinated — to have an uninterrupted fall semester.

EDITORIAL | We're in a ditch. We can get out.

By Editorial Board | Fall 2021 | August 17

Welcome back to the Loveliest Village on the Plains. To the freshmen, welcome to your new home and — perhaps to some of the sophomores as well — welcome, for the first time, to a normal college experience. Or, as close to normal as we can get at the moment.