CoViD-19

Feb
28
2022
By Aumnibus Staff
New COVID-19 Variant on the Rise

New COVID-19 Variant on the Rise

Opinion,
BY: Milton Westry In the last two years, the world has been dealing with COVID-19. Over the past year, there have been discoveries of different variants of coronavirus. The different variants that have been discovered are Alpha, Beta, Delta and Omicron. Omicron is the latest variant and was discovered by researchers in November 2021. Now, the Omicron variant has a subvariant called BA2. The first discovery of the variant was made in Denmark. It has been found in 55 different countries, including the U.S. This discovery comes after the first subvariant of Omicron called BA1.  This subvariant has 20 mutations—…
Read More
Sep
23
2021
By Aumnibus Staff
AUM Offers Incentives to Students for COVID-19 Vaccine

AUM Offers Incentives to Students for COVID-19 Vaccine

News, University, ,
BY: Alecia Hicks Since 2019, the entire world has been struggling with the extreme changes that come along with a global pandemic. It has affected almost every part of our lives, from masks to mandates to virtual schooling. Society has learned to adjust to a world with minimal personal contact while still staying connected as humans.  One of the many things affected by the pandemic is higher education. Schools have had to learn how to continue to cater to the needs of their students in the safest ways possible. Everyone has been patiently waiting for some relief. The newly released…
Read More
Apr
26
2021
By Aumnibus Staff
A Change Is on the Horizon

A Change Is on the Horizon

Opinion,
BY: Lashundra Daniels It is no secret that an unexpected disease known as COVID-19 caused a pandemic around the entire world at the beginning of 2020. It disrupted life as we knew it. Everything changed, and we were forced to stay home or risk catching a disease that unfortunately had no cure. However, all that is surely coming to an end. Recently, three variations of vaccines have become available to the citizens of the U.S. The vaccines are produced by Pfizer-BioNtech, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna. Although no vaccine has been proved to be completely combative against COVID-19, they all…
Read More
Apr
07
2021
By Aumnibus Staff
AUM to offer COVID vaccines to eligible community members

AUM to offer COVID vaccines to eligible community members

News, ,
BY: Savanna Pruitt On April 8 and 9, all Alabama residents age 16 and up will be able to receive Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines at AUM’s Wellness Center.  Appointments are available each day from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Online registration is required at least 12 hours before the desired appointment time. The vaccines are free, and health insurance is not required. After receiving the first vaccine dose, an appointment will be scheduled three weeks out for the second dose.  Individuals who register to receive the vaccine should bring their IDs to their appointments and…
Read More
Mar
03
2021
By Aumnibus Staff
Shop Small

Shop Small

Opinion,
BY: Hannah Long Imagine starting your own business and spending your hard earned money to make it perfect. Then, a pandemic hits, causing you to have to shut your store down. Thousands of small businesses have had to close permanently because they cannot afford to stay open.  According to wsfa.com, “Small businesses account for 99.4% of all businesses in Alabama.” This is a struggle for not only business owners but also their employees. As a result of these small businesses closing many owners had to lay off their employees.  Small business owners had to get creative when they realized opening…
Read More
Feb
17
2021
By Aumnibus Staff
College Is Hard- College During a Global Pandemic is Harder

College Is Hard- College During a Global Pandemic is Harder

Opinion, ,
BY: Savanna Pruitt COVID-19 continues to impact the lives of Americans nationwide, and college students are no exception. The pandemic’s effect on enrollment rates and the college experience as a whole is unprecedented. Enrollment and Graduation Rates According to a report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, overall undergraduate enrollment is down an average 4.4 percent as of November 2020. While national high school graduation rates stayed relatively the same for the 2019-2020 school year, the number of high school graduates who enrolled in college for the Fall 2020 semester dropped by 21.7 percent from 2019. The same report…
Read More
Feb
17
2021
By Aumnibus Staff
No Gym, No Problem

No Gym, No Problem

Opinion, , ,
BY: Hannah Long Since the COVID-19 outbreak, people’s lives have changed drastically. Before this pandemic, life seemed to be running smoothly. The classes were all in person, masks were not a thing and gyms were open to all. The Auburn University of Montgomery Wellness Center is a beautiful building that sits right off the road for everyone in Montgomery to see. Students, faculty and those with memberships all share this building, working out right beside one another. COVID-19 has changed the way this facility runs and has brought some frustration to frequent goers. Previously, you could visit the Wellness Center…
Read More
Nov
17
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
The Finals Stretch

The Finals Stretch

Opinion, , ,
BY: Jessica Alldredge Dear AUM student,  Here we are in the last few weeks of classes. This year has been difficult in every capacity. Between Covid-19, school changing drastically, and issues with work or loved ones, everyone has faced something this year that has affected them. But here we are, with two months left in the year. For better or worse— we made it.As we go into finals, be sure to take care of yourself. Take the time to step back and reflect on how you’re doing. Check-in with yourself and track your mental health. This year hasn’t been easy.…
Read More
Nov
02
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
Is Spring Break Cancelled for AUM?

Is Spring Break Cancelled for AUM?

News, Opinion, University, ,
BY: Evan Justice Throughout the past few weeks, many colleges across the country have decided to cancel their spring breaks for the Spring 2021 semester. Recently, the University of Alabama and the University of South Alabama have decided to cancel their spring breaks as well.  In order to compensate for the loss of spring break, both universities decided they will begin their upcoming spring semester one week later. Although both campuses required students to test for the Coronavirus before returning to campus, no such requirement was included in either campus announcements for their plans for the upcoming spring semester. Image…
Read More
Oct
19
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
Movie Theaters Forced to Close For the Second Time

Movie Theaters Forced to Close For the Second Time

News, Opinion, ,
BY: Evan Justice Despite some cites loosening their COVID-19 restrictions, many movie theaters are still struggling to stay open.  Photo of a Regal Movie Theatre provided by Deadline.com. Recently, Regal Cinemas announced that it would shut down more than 7,000 movie screens across its 536 locations in the United States due to financial concerns. Despite being the second-largest film distributor in the United States, Regal was forced to close its doors for the second time less than two months after reopening. The move to reclose came after it was announced that the next installment in the James Bond franchise, entitled…
Read More
Oct
19
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
Universities Waiving SAT and ACT Scores

Universities Waiving SAT and ACT Scores

News,
BY: Jayla Brown ACT and SAT scores have been required for many years in order to apply for college. When schools shut down due to COVID-19, many high school seniors and juniors were unable to take the ACT and SAT. This caused over 1,000 universities to waive the standardized test for admission, including AUM.  AUM temporarily waived the ACT and SAT requirements for both Summer and Fall 2020. Back in April, AUM Chancellor Carl A. Stockton told Alabama News Network, “By waiving the ACT and SAT test requirements, we will ensure that every student has the opportunity to pursue their…
Read More
Oct
14
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
AUM Counseling and Health Promotion Services to offer 6-week class to help students build inner peace

AUM Counseling and Health Promotion Services to offer 6-week class to help students build inner peace

News, University, ,
BY: Jessica Aldredge Montgomery, Ala. – Sept. 18, 2020 – Finding and keeping a healthy peace of mind in our present-day world can be quite difficult for anyone. Imagine being a college student, trying to adjust to the new responsibilities that come with being away from home along with classroom responsibilities and the new challenges the Covid-19 pandemic has brought. AUM’s Counseling and Health Promotion Services is reaching out to students by offering a 6-week class beginning Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at 3:30 p.m., via Zoom. “Strengthening Inner Peace” is designed to help students build and strengthen a sense of…
Read More
Oct
09
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
Status of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Status of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

News, ,
BY: Evan Justice Originally speculated to be canceled, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will indeed be held this year. However, due to COVID-19, the annual event will look much different.  In early September, Macy’s announced that although they were moving forward with plans to put on the annual parade, the event would be limited to a TV-only event; it is the first time a move like this has been made in the nearly 100 years the event has been held. This means no live crowds will be able to come to watch the parade balloons and floats marching down New…
Read More
Oct
09
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
Theatre AUM and COVID 19

Theatre AUM and COVID 19

Campus, Theatre AUM, ,
BY: Jayla Brown AUM’s campus looks completely different for everyone this semester. There has been a lot of change, which means a lot of adjusting to our “new normal”. This week I had the opportunity to catch up with Professor Neil Seibel about the changes happening in the theatre department.  When asked about adjusting to COVID-19 guidelines here at AUM, Seibel said, “We are adjusting. Theatre and the arts have always been about adapting to the circumstances, so in an odd way our students were rather uniquely prepared to handle the shift to hybrid experience.”  Many classes, activities, and club…
Read More
Oct
01
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
Grey’s Anatomy Tackles COVID-19

Grey’s Anatomy Tackles COVID-19

Opinion,
BY: Jayla Brown Grey’s Anatomy is the longest-running medical drama on television. This November, it is coming back for its 17th season. This season it will be tackling COVID-19. This information was revealed in a recent panel by the executive producer Krista Vernoff.  Vernoff stated, “We’re going to address this pandemic for sure. There’s no way to be a long-running medical show and not do the medical story of our lifetimes.” Grey’s Anatomy show writers are meeting with real doctors who shared their experience during the pandemic.  Any fan of Grey’s Anatomy knows the show has never been afraid to…
Read More
Oct
01
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
Status of Alabama Haunted Houses

Status of Alabama Haunted Houses

News, Opinion, ,
BY: Evan Justice Image provided by alabamahauntedhouses.com In order to stop the spread of COVID-19, the Center for Disease Control recently recommended that people not participate in any close contact Halloween events this year. Instead, the CDC recommended that people participate in “low-risk activities” such as pumpkin carving, virtual Halloween parties, costume contests and scavenger hunts. The CDC also cautions anyone from participating in traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating and indoor haunted houses As such, the Alabama haunted house attractions have been scrambling to find innovative ways to keep their doors open. Alabama has seen the cancellation of Birmingham’s Sloss Fright Furnace haunted…
Read More
Sep
24
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
The GSC Postpones Fall Sports

The GSC Postpones Fall Sports

News, Sports, , ,
BY: Jayla Brown The spread of COVID-19 has shifted the way colleges and universities are being run for the fall semester, including their athletic departments. Many athletic departments have had to postpone fall athletics until the spring. Auburn University at Montgomery's (AUM) athletic department is included. On August 12, 2020, The Gulf South Conference (GSC) postponed basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball until January 2021. The announcement was given by the GSC Board of Directors. The board classified these sports as high risk and high contact according to the (NCAA). I was able to catch up with athletic director Jessie Rosa…
Read More
Sep
24
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
Auburn Football Starts Sept. 26; Who Will Be in the Stands?

Auburn Football Starts Sept. 26; Who Will Be in the Stands?

Opinion, , ,
BY: Kameron Berry For countless years Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium has held roughly 87,000 screaming fans, but due to COVID-19 Auburn has announced it will only allow 20% capacity inside for this upcoming football season. In accordance with the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) safety guidelines, Auburn has decided that tickets outside of premium seating and tickets designated for home and visiting team coach and player guests will go to the Auburn students for their Sept. 26 game against Kentucky. I spoke with Auburn student Daniel Richardson, who is a part of the Auburn University Athletic’s grounds crew that works on Pat Dye…
Read More
Sep
18
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
Alabama Universities Create Database of COVID-19 Statistics

Alabama Universities Create Database of COVID-19 Statistics

News,
BY: Evan Justice Entrance to GuideSafe testing site provided by WBRC News With the spread of COVID-19 not appearing to slow down anytime soon, many universities in the state of Alabama have taken drastic measures to ensure the safety of its students and staff. To this end, four Alabama universities have decided to create COVID-19 databases of their campuses COVID-19 statistics. These universities are: Auburn University, Jacksonville State University, Troy University and Samford University. Based on these statistics, which are being updated every week and posted on the official website for each university, Auburn University has seen the greatest number…
Read More
Sep
18
2020
By Aumnibus Staff
Mental Health in the Time of Covid-19

Mental Health in the Time of Covid-19

Opinion,
BY: Jessica Alldredge No one could have ever planned for the curve-ball 2020 has been. No one ever expected to be battling a pandemic when they rang in the New Year. The changes that have impacted us as a whole this year have left many of us reeling and perhaps feeling very out of touch. Social distance was enacted, and many of us may have been missing that social component in our lives. Jobs disappeared, worry about health increased, and school culture changed drastically. All of these things that we weren’t expecting are suddenly a cause of deep depression and…
Read More