Opinion

Nov

09

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

Get Connected with the AUM Common Reading Program

Campus, News, Opinion, University

About five years ago, the AUM Connected: Common Reading Program began at Auburn University at Montgomery. It was initially housed under the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching where the founder of the Warhawk Academic Success Center pushed for the program to implement the common reading program. As of this year, the program is officially under the WASC. Dr. Virginia Lacy, the Director of the WASC, says that the common reading program “exposes students to a book that they might not otherwise read and it gives a common theme or element for everybody to come around.” This semester’s common…

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Nov

08

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

AUM Actor Spotlight: Olivia Crutchfield

Arts, Campus, News, Opinion, Theatre AUM

Theatre AUM's humble projection onto campus life hides the eclectic and imaginative soul of its participants. To fully immerse oneself into any form of art, takes courage, originality, and talent that only few have. I interviewed communication student and budding actress, Olivia Crutchfield, and asked her what her journey has brought to her and what her art means to her. Crutchfield is originally from Odenville, Alabama where she played soccer and focused on school and classmates. She says she played soccer for 16 years and that her high school did not offer any theatrical channels, so she was unable to pursue…

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Nov

03

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

Woyzeck: Theatre AUM’s Twist on Tradgegy

Arts, News, Opinion, Theatre AUM, University

I spoke with Kodi Robertson about Theater AUM’s upcoming production of Georg Buchner’s tragic story about the heavy effects of war and military life on a man. This unique rendition comes from the mind of director Val Winkelman, who is also a professor in the communication department. Robertson and I communicated via email where he answered a series of questions regarding the modern take on this story, the director’s vision, and what the audience can expect. As confusing and ambiguous as online communication can be, Robertson seemed eager and enthusiastic in his responses, preluding to a play audiences will marvel…

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Oct

30

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

Registration Advice from an Upperclassman

News, Opinion, University

Every semester there comes a time for students to register for classes. This week, registration will open on Friday, November 3 for seniors, Monday, November 6 for juniors, and Tuesday, November 7 for sophomores and freshman. Registration occurs online through myAUM in the Webster Registration System. There is a process that every student must undergo to complete registration. For those who are in their first semester here at AUM, this process may be unfamiliar and even daunting. If you haven’t met with your advisor, that is the very first step in the process. Each department will assign you a faculty…

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Oct

20

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

Survivors, Parents Gather in Vigil for Survivors of Sexual Assault

Opinion

WASHINGTON—​Over 650 people will gather outside the Department of Education on the evening of Thursday, October 19th, in a vigil for survivors and victims of campus sexual assault. The vigil will honor survivors and victims of sexual violence and rally against the Department of Education’s rollbacks of protections for survivors. Survivors and parents of survivors and victims will tell their stories, followed by a moment of silence for all who lost their lives due to sexual or domestic violence. This powerful event for the movement against sexual assault comes just a few days after more than twelve million people speaking…

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Oct

17

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

Montgomery Education Foundation to Host “Brain Brawl” in Taylor Center

Opinion

Want to test your knowledge? Gather a team of five, and head to the “Brain Brawl”! Photo by MEF. This benefit event for the Montgomery Education Foundation will feature a trivia competition, consisting of three nine-question rounds. Trivia Topics will include arts and culture, sports, math, science, geography and history. The competition is open to all schools, churches, and individuals. The entrance fee to participate is $150. There will be gifts and other prizes presented to the teams who raise the most money, the teams with the most creative names, and to the teams with the best uniforms. The three…

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Oct

09

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

What’s Happening at the AUM Early Learning Center

News, Opinion, University

Auburn University at Montgomery has a childcare center for AUM staff and students. The Early Learning center is located behind the Education Building on campus. According to the AUM website, at the Early Learning Center, “we strive to develop self-directed, self-disciplined, self-responsible children who have a passion for life and a concern for others. The AUM Early Learning Center is nationally accredited through the National Association of the Education of Young Children. We strive to maintain a pupil-teacher ratio of 6:1, which affords all children individualized attention. All staff members are highly qualified to care for and provide an exemplary education…

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May

15

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

SPLC on Campus Visits the Montgomery Civil Rights Memorial

Opinion

When we think of the civil rights movement, we usually think of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, Rosa Parks and Nelson Mandela. Rarely do we think of the ones who may have been overlooked or died in the process of fighting for basic human rights. The Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery is dedicated to telling the stories of the several hundred activists who died fighting for human rights. The center highlights 40 martyrs (including children) who died due to racially-motivated hate crimes in the civil rights movement. I went to the Memorial for the first time with 17…

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May

05

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

A College Memoir: Where Has She Gone?

Opinion

When I started college in 2004, I was 18 years old and ready for the world. I just knew I would graduate in four years and find a good paying job, get married and start a family. Well, it’s 2017, I’m 30 and just now about to graduate. I’m not married and I have a four month old son, Robert, by my boyfriend, Mike, who now has ten kids. The 18 year old Lindsay would’ve told you this situation is one that she would never be in. She was too smart for that. She was too ambitious for that. She…

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May

04

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

A College Memoir: I’m Almost Out

Opinion

Five years ago, I embarked on a journey that I wasn’t sure I would be able to finish. The night before I was scheduled to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language, I almost talked myself out of it. I struggled with the idea of committing half a decade to an institution 6,000 miles away from my home in Moldova. But somehow, I found the nerve to go into this unexplored territory. Today, reflecting back on the hundreds of times I have wanted to quit, the dozens of homework assignments that made no sense, the exams that felt…

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Apr

29

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

Behind the Screen at Alabama News Network

Campus, News, Opinion

In April, students in Larry Moore’s Video Production course had the opportunity to take a tour of Alabama News Network with weather reporter Ryan Stinnett as our tour guide. The tour started with Ryan explaining the different channels that the station works for, ABC and CBS, and how the work shifts, which are not your typical first, second and third shift. The second shift starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. One thing that caught my attention was the hair and make-up room. I expected to see a lavish vanity area with multiple high-stool chairs, instead it was…

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Apr

26

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

O’Reilly Out

Opinion

Though “The O’Reilly Factor,” lasted for 20 seasons with more than ten years on air, it took but a matter of weeks for an expose’ by The New York Times to be the missile that sunk the number one program in cable news. The Times found that Bill O’Reilly and Fox had paid out a total of $13 million to five women in exchange for them to not seek legal action or speak out about their accusations. Fox is certainly no stranger to losing employees to sexual harassment, just last year Roger Ailes, the founder and former CEO of Fox…

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Apr

21

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

Exploring Alabama via Atlas Obscura

Opinion

Most students leaving campus for spring and summer breaks are bound for the bikini-clad, beer-chugging throngs of the Gulf Coast. But I’ve discovered there are far less hot, smelly and overcrowded destinations to visit in our state and in the South. Thanks to the Atlas Obscura—an online, definitive guide to the world’s most curious roadside attractions—I’ve spent many school breaks exploring amazing, hidden spots all on a few dollars and a couple tanks of gas. Over spring break, I travelled to Cullman, Alabama to see Ave Maria Grotto—a four-acre, folk art complex with more than 125 miniature replicas of historical…

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Apr

12

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

Richard Herd Gets Real With AUM Students

Arts, News, Opinion, Theatre AUM, University

During his AUM Lecture Series address, famous actor Richard Herd shared many words of wisdom with students preparing to enter the workforce. “You can’t have anything unless you work your ass off for it," said Herd, who is best known for his portrayal of Mr. Wilhelm in “Seinfeld” and Adm. Owen Paris in “Star Trek.” The now 84-year-old superstar has worked for six decades to earn his place in more than 500 television, movie and theater spotlights. After seeing his first play as a teenager, Herd knew he wanted to build a career in the performing arts. He encouraged students…

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Mar

30

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

DeVos Is In

Opinion

If one were to describe the nomination of Betsy DeVos to the position of Secretary of Education it could probably be summed up in one word: chaotic. Featuring an overnight protest on the floor by Senate Democrats, the defection of two Republican senators, President Trump’s choice for the position was eventually confirmed in one of the slimmest margins in history, with Vice President Mike Pence having to step in to cast the tie-breaking vote, a first for a cabinet appointee. DeVos has been a controversial pick, to say the least. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts had been a particularly vocal…

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Mar

21

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

“The 39 Steps” (Cloverdale Playhouse): Review

Arts, Opinion

“Have you ever heard of the thirty-nine steps?” Anabella said. “What’s that? A pub?” Hannay said. If like Hannay you think “The 39 Steps” is a pub, then, you obviously missed the delightful tale of murder, espionage and comedy that played at Montgomery’s Cloverdale Playhouse in February. As a first-time audience member, I found the playhouse’s charming, comical production of John Barlow’s award-winning adaptation to be a warm introduction to Montgomery community theater. The play is based on John Buchan 1916’s novel and was introduced to the stage in 2006. Since then, it has been played in many theater stages…

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Mar

09

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

Trump to Repeal the Johnson Amendment

Opinion

Since its enactment in 1954, the Johnson Amendment has prevented tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations like churches and charities from participating in political campaigns. Organizations that violate the amendment have run the risk not only of losing their tax-exempt statuses, but also of having to pay taxes on items and services they already bought free of tax. Although it is widely known as an amendment, this restriction is actually a law. It was created by Lyndon Johnson—the Texan who assumed office when John Kennedy was assassinated—to prevent nonprofit organizations from promoting his running opponent in the next election. The Johnson law was…

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Feb

10

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

2017 Women’s March

Opinion

The day after President Donald Trump was sworn into office an estimated 5 million protestors around the world joined together for the “Women’s March.” The January 21st marches were the largest political demonstrations since the anti-Vietnam war protests in the 1960s and 1970s.  The idea for the march originated partly as a reaction to the video footage from a 2005 Access Hollywood interview Trump participated in. “Grab ‘em by the pussy. You can do anything,” President Trump said to host Billy Bush. “I felt disrespected when he was elected. Why wouldn't I feel disrespected? My commander in chief thinks it's…

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Feb

04

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

Alabama Privacy Act

Opinion

When North Carolina’s controversial bathroom bill was signed into law last year, the rights of transgender individuals came into the national spotlight. This move saw incredible backlash among businesses, celebrities and other states. The attention may soon shift to Alabama with the Alabama Privacy Act. This bill, set to be introduced by State Senator Phil Williams in February, claims that it will protect the privacy of customers while using bathrooms or changing facilities. While Williams stated the intention of the bill is preservation of privacy, it is being viewed as a threat to the rights of transgender individuals. The more…

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Jan

21

2017

By Aumnibus Staff

The Great Wall of Trump

Opinion

Newly inaugurated President Donald Trump promised several times throughout his successful campaign that he would construct a large wall on the southern border of the United States. He used this message as a call to those who feel that their livelihoods have been impacted by the issue of illegal immigration. It is not unusual for presidential candidates to make promises they cannot fully hold up, and it seems that this may be the case for the border wall. From the beginning, this plan suffered much criticism based mainly on funding and general effectiveness; funding being the biggest issue as Trump…

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