Opinion

COLUMN | The influence of politics on music

By Brychelle Brooks | Newsletter Editor | October 23

Music and politics have been intertwined continuously and the relationship between the two exists at an all-time high in the age of technology. Music is something that connects us all socially, whether its through lyrics or genre. Across every genre of music, there’s a song that wears the face of being a “political song” or “protest song.”

COLUMN | Get your head in the clouds

By Sami Grace Donnelly | Editor-in-Chief | October 23

As students, we often find ourselves in our "college bubble," only paying attention to the things that surround and involve us. It’s so easy to spend our time as college students dancing along the surface and living day-to-day, but every once in a while, we need to transcend the surface. We need to raise our eyes, look around us and get our head in the clouds.

"Relationship with people with different perspective" graphic resubmit

COLUMN | Navigating conversations with people with different political beliefs

By Emily May | Operations Editor | October 22

With political divide being at an all-time high in the last decade, voters believe that this election is one of the most important to the future of the country. Election years heighten emotions and strengthen walls built to protect our personal values from attack, minimizing openings for dissenting opinions. Our generation and the generations before us have sowed a landscape that is treacherous for our country and threatens the greatest parts of humanity: empathy and human connection.

COLUMN | Flyover Country

By Gabriel Fox | Columnist | October 22

Over fifty percent of America’s counties account for rural, non-metropolitan areas, it is perhaps more important now than ever to consider how government policies affect these communities and work to protect them. As centers of American agriculture and industry, given the increased population following the COVID pandemic, coupled with recent environmental impacts such as hurricane Helene, it is perhaps more important now than ever to consider how government policies affect these communities and work to protect them.

COLUMN | Professors should eliminate pop quizzes

By Chase Morgese | Opinion Editor | October 21

Surprise assessments do not prepare students for life after school. In fact, they result in nothing but more onerous semesters. By eliminating pop quizzes, professors allow students to study in the manner most conducive to their success.

EDITORAL | Auburn University should make voting more accessible to students

By Brychelle Brooks | Newsletter Editor and Editorial Board | Fall 2024 | October 18

Voting for the leader of our country is one of the most consequential days, every four years. Everyone deserves the opportunity to vote and make their voice heard. While it is common for younger generations not to vote, making voting more accessible for college students would yield a greater turnout. One such solution is that the university cancel classes or close on election day.

EDITORIAL | Students deserve a space to tailgate

By Brychelle Brooks | Newsletter Editor and Editorial Board | Fall 2024 | October 4

Seeing white tents go up on Thursdays and Fridays before an Auburn football home game is one of the most heart-warming things for an Auburn fan to experience. However, students are losing space on game days due to the university's decision to sell most tailgating spaces to fans. Having a student tailgate would be no different than having a student section in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Tailgating is a huge part of an Auburn game day atmosphere, and students deserve to experience it too.

COLUMN | Should professors expect cheating when their exams are online?

By Lucy Rachels | Columnist | September 26

Auburn students, like all students, are opportunistic, when exams are taken remotely without proctors, an honor code demands becomes a challenge to enforce. Without an online test-taking structure, whether Lockdown Browser, in-person exams or both, students are left to their devices, literally and figuratively. So, should professors expect cheating when their exams are online and un-proctored, or should they expect students to uphold the honor code, even when no one is watching?

COLUMN | Professors should eliminate mandatory attendance policies

By Chase Morgese | Opinion Editor | September 23

Mandatory attendance is a tricky classroom policy. It confines students to cumbersome schedules and prevents them from optimally organizing their time. If an individual can achieve academic excellence without going to class, they should not be punished for their absence.

EDITORIAL | A call to Auburn Tigers and Auburn Family after Saturday’s loss

By Brychelle Brooks | Newsletter Editor , Editorial Board | Fall 2024 and Sami Grace Donnelly | Editor-in-Chief | September 13

"When you love Auburn, Auburn will love you back.” This phrase carries a lot of weight for the Tigers and their fans. More than before, the Tigers have something to prove to their fans. The first step to proving anything to fans is working operating through love for Auburn.

COLUMN | What's the point of dating apps?

By Brychelle Brooks | Newsletter Editor | September 9

Gen Z daters in Alabama have been changing what it means to “date” in the age of technology. With 96.43% of Alabama Gen Z daters dropping dating apps, I ponder if dating apps bring along true, lasting love.

Plainsman's Pointers | Time management

By Sami Grace Donnelly | Editor-in-Chief | September 6

Managing your time is a topic that never goes out of style for any human ever. This piece discusses two parts of time management that help yield a lifestyle of value, importance and fun.

COLUMN | The power of the voice

By Brychelle Brooks | Newsletter Editor | September 2

Widely known from Auburn's creed is the phrase “a spirit that is not afraid.” It's one I’ve grown to understand and love. I've learned that the best way to have a spirit that's not afraid is to use your voice. Your voice is the first step to success, and your voice opens doors.

Plainsman's Pointers | New friends

By Sami Grace Donnelly | Editor-in-Chief | August 30

This debut installment of Plainsman's Pointers discusses the process of finding new friends and building strong foundations to produce authentic and meaningful relationships.

COLUMN | Study tips for incoming freshmen

By Chase Morgese | Opinion Editor | August 28

A guide from a senior for academic success. The five things that helped me through studying at Auburn.

Adventures Abroad: re-entry

By Sami Grace Donnelly | Editor-in-Chief | August 21

To close the "Adventures Abroad" mini-series, Sami Grace Donnelly recounts her journey of re-entry and adjusting to life back in the United States.

Adventures Abroad: world's best lemonade

By Sami Grace Donnelly | Editor-in-Chief | August 19

While studying abroad and traveling the world, Sami Grace Donnelly decided to find out if Toomer's Lemonade really is the "world's best lemonade."

COLUMN | Five tips for making an unfamiliar space feel like home

By Sami Grace Donnelly | Editor-in-Chief | August 1

“Home” is a word that has many personal connotations. Maybe “home” does not have the best memories associated with it and you are eager to start something new in college. Maybe you’ve never experienced a real “home” before. I truly believe you can find it here in Auburn. Here are five tips for making an unfamiliar place feel like home, from someone who has faced a lot of unfamiliar places in her day.

COLUMN | Don't be a catcher in the rye

By Brychelle Brooks | Newsletter Editor | June 24

Reading has always been one of my favorite hobbies. Most of my favorite works have been challenged or banned, though they still have lessons to be learned. Here's some of the lessons I've learned from banned books and why I think you should read them too.

Adventures Abroad: traveling with an autoimmune disease

By Sami Grace Donnelly | Editor-in-Chief | June 20

One writer shares a personal experience about being abroad with severe dietary restrictions. It is not a curse, but it is rather an opportunity to grow, learn and gain a new appreciation for yourself and your circumstances.