Opinion Archives - The AUMnibus

6Mar

By Aumnibus StaffNo Comments

Opinion

Op-ed: It takes a village

Photo Courtesy of Frank C. Williams The life of an RA By: Jordan White Auburn University at Montgomery is committed to being a positive and safe living environment for its residents and it takes a driven team to ensure those needs are met, according to an AUM housing associate. The campus’s diverse and dynamic resident assistants (RAs) show that it does take a village. AUM’s campus has four separate dormitories: the Commons, Courtyards, Warhawk and P-40. Each dorm offers a variety of accommodations and options that can meet any resident's preference. In these campus communities, student residents have dedicated RAs on every floor in each building. RAs, who are supervised by resident life coordinators and hired by AUM, play a pivotal role in housing as they are the spokesperso...

AUM’s safety measures: More than what meets the eye

4Mar

By Aumnibus StaffNo Comments

Opinion

AUM’s safety measures: More than what meets the eye

Photo Courtesy of Frank C. Williams By: Jordan White Are “open” campuses an unsafe choice for college students? Auburn University at Montgomery prioritizes campus safety for students, faculty and staff, says the director of police operations on the campus. The campus has been referred to as an “open campus” by students in comparison to others, but that is not the case. The openness of the campus is all about the perspective of what hard work goes into keeping the AUM campus safe. In a recent interview, AUM’s Director of Police Operations Brenda Mitchell talked about the different ways that campus police advocate for campus safety. Mitchell, also known as Chief Mitchell, wants students to feel like they can approach her or any of the other campus police office...

26Feb

By Aumnibus StaffNo Comments

Editorials

The Aumnibus – An AUM Story

By: Victoria Salters Since 1971, The Aumnibus, a student-run newspaper at AUM, has been a cornerstone of campus culture, capturing the essence of student life and serving as a platform for voices to be heard. Originally known as The Aardvark, the publication underwent a significant transformationunder the two-year editorship of Kitty Miller from 1972 to 1974 according to “The AUM Story,” abook written by former history professor John D. Fair. Now, more than five decades later, thispublication's rich history continues to resonate on campus. The Aumnibus has stood the test of time, adapting to the evolving landscape of journalism whilestaying true to its roots. Samantha McNeilly, AUM’s teaching and outreach librarian, as well asthe archives and special collections librarian, reflec...

Prominent businessman and broadcaster Shelley Stewart reflects on the legacy of Dr. King

7Feb

By Aumnibus StaffNo Comments

Opinion

Prominent businessman and broadcaster Shelley Stewart reflects on the legacy of Dr. King

By: Shataya Celestine MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Shelley Stewart, known as the best radio personality in Birmingham and one of America’s most prominent African American philanthropists, spoke about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the recent MLK Reflections Breakfast at Auburn University at Montgomery. At the morning event, Stewart took the time to sit down with staff and students and share in honor of King, whom he knew personally. Stewart talked about life growing up as a child in Birmingham seeing beautiful parks and places, but remembering the grocery stores and restrooms he wasn’t allowed to use. He said he didn’t know his own name until he was 15 years old when he had to visit the Jefferson County Health Department. Interestingly enough, Stewart said growing up he didn’t ha...

Op-ed: “Hey, do you have the link to the textbook?”

22Jan

By Aumnibus StaffNo Comments

Opinion

Op-ed: “Hey, do you have the link to the textbook?”

Photo Courtesy of the AUM bookstore The debate of purchasing textbooks By: Victoria Salters MONTGOMERY, Ala. — With complete transparency, as a college senior, I have avoided purchasing a textbook for the last few years. Every year I begin my semester with a similar routine. I make sure to register and I attend classes like usual. However, if I can make it through the first test without the textbook, I opt against purchasing it. If I do need the textbook, I always choose an eBook. This “course of action” is not one that was born out of rebellion but out of necessity. As a first-generation college student, I think the prices of higher education can feel overwhelming. Many students find themselves making tough financial decisions every semester. Whether the question is what dor...

14Nov

By Aumnibus StaffNo Comments

Opinion

Struggling minds

The silent epidemic taking over our colleges By: Victoria Salters MONTGOMERY, Ala. —The halls of our nation’s universities often bear a sad secret, the academic pursuit for many students is often plagued with the struggle of mental health. From balancing course work, pressure and expectations from family and trying to maintain a social life, the pressures can become overwhelming many college students. According to the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments annual survey conducted in the 2021-2022 school year, 44% of college students reported symptoms of depression; 37% said they experienced anxiety and 15% have seriously considered suicide. These staggering statistics are the highest rates in the survey’s 15-year history. To combat these challenge...

Op-ed: The case for forgiving student loan debt

14Nov

By Aumnibus StaffNo Comments

Opinion

Op-ed: The case for forgiving student loan debt

By: Deshala Wilkins In a country that is becoming increasingly polarized, few political issues have sparked as much debate and division as forgiving student loan debt. Proponents argue that relieving college graduates of their crushing debt is not just a compassionate gesture, but a vital step towards economic justice. On the other side, skeptics warn of fiscal recklessness and question the fairness of erasing such debt. However, in the midst of this heated discourse, two undeniable truths emerge: the student loan crisis has reached unprecedented levels, and the consequences of inaction may be dire. The pressing question remains. Is it time to forgive student loan debt? In my opinion even though students made a legal obligation with the FAFSA, their student loan debt ...

Op-ed: Public faith and universities can and should coexist

14Nov

By Aumnibus StaffNo Comments

Opinion

Op-ed: Public faith and universities can and should coexist

By: Dalton Kimbro AUBURN, Ala. – Some Auburn University faculty and staff have come under fire after participating in student baptisms on campus. Per WSFA News, head football coach Hugh Freeze, along with other Auburn faculty members, can be seen on video baptizing students, including a freshman football player, following an on-campus worship service called “Unite Auburn.” Involvement of university faculty triggered a response from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), stating that Freeze’s actions “create a coercive environment that excludes those students who don’t subscribe to the Christian views being pushed onto players by their coaches,” per New York Post, while also calling the actions “unconstitutional.” Although Auburn University and Coach ...

14Nov

By Aumnibus StaffNo Comments

Opinion

Op-ed: From breast to chest

Are hospitals stealing femininity? By: Gracie Keith Cancel culture is not a topic that is new to anyone, but the topics of discussion seem to get more and more triggering and leftist-focused the deeper we dive into cancellation. Everywhere you turn people are changing wordage or canceling wordage. The media does not hold back from putting those who are canceled on blast, but a topic we have not seen blasted yet is the attempt to change the phrase and action of breastfeeding to chest feeding in lactation offices and hospitals. This blatant attempt to steal femininity from the action of providing for a child is just another attempt at being more inclusive, but how far will they go? Is this a generational issue or something all ages and genders are facing? Ella Chandler born into G...

14Nov

By Aumnibus StaffNo Comments

News, Opinion

The price of being an Auburn Tiger

Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery students can expect a rise in tuition and housing fall of 2024 By: Penton McNider MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Prices across the U.S. can be seen on the rise recently from gasoline to eggs; with inflation rates reaching the highest seen since the 1980s. According to Rob Wile, a business reporter for NBC News, the consumer price index is continuously trending upward. Wile explains this trend upwards is related to COVID-19 pandemic and it will likely be a long time before we see pre-pandemic prices. While some prices are expected to take some time to recover from the pandemic, college students are returning to campuses in pre-pandemic fashion. However, students at Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery are going to have to...