diff --git a/denis/utilities.py b/denis/utilities.py
index 2d777f7a..e8206513 100644
--- a/denis/utilities.py
+++ b/denis/utilities.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def configure_repo(repo):
 
 def update_tags(assignment, component):
     grd_tbl = mailman.db.Gradeable
-    subs = (grd_tbl.select()
+    gbls = (grd_tbl.select()
                    .order_by(-grd_tbl.timestamp)
                    .where(grd_tbl.assignment == assignment)
                    .where(grd_tbl.component == component))
@@ -67,12 +67,12 @@ def update_tags(assignment, component):
                 print('Potential issue? Attempted to create duplicate tag '
                       f'{new_tag_name}')
                 continue
-            user_sub = subs.where(grd_tbl.user == user.username).first()
-            if not user_sub or (id := user_sub.submission_id) not in repo.tags:
+            user_gbl = gbls.where(grd_tbl.user == user.username).first()
+            if not user_gbl or (id := user_gbl.submission_id) not in repo.tags:
                 msg = 'No gradeable submission'
                 to_promote = repo.tags['EMPTY']
             else:
-                msg = user_sub.status
+                msg = user_gbl.auto_feedback
                 to_promote = repo.tags[id]
             repo.create_tag(new_tag_name, ref=to_promote.commit, message=msg)
 
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ def check_corrupt_or_missing(repo, tag, username_to_subs):
     msg += '\n'
     msg += '------------------------------'
     msg += '\n\n'
-    if not gradable or gradable.status[-1] == '!':
+    if not gradable or gradable.auto_feedback[-1] == '!':
         repo.git.execute(['git', 'notes', '--ref=grade', 'add', tag, '-m', '0'])
         if not gradable:
             msg += 'automatic 0 due to missing submission!'
diff --git a/mailman/db.py b/mailman/db.py
index 4b48ace5..978b351e 100755
--- a/mailman/db.py
+++ b/mailman/db.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class Gradeable(BaseModel):
     user = peewee.TextField()
     assignment = peewee.TextField()
     component = peewee.TextField()
-    status = peewee.TextField(null=True)
+    auto_feedback = peewee.TextField(null=True)
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/mailman/inspector.py b/mailman/inspector.py
index 95dce1a1..69da6fe2 100755
--- a/mailman/inspector.py
+++ b/mailman/inspector.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ def gradables(assignment, username, component):
     for gbl in query:
         print(gbl.submission_id,
               datetime.fromtimestamp(gbl.timestamp).astimezone().isoformat(),
-              gbl.assignment, gbl.user, gbl.component, gbl.status)
+              gbl.assignment, gbl.user, gbl.component, gbl.auto_feedback)
 
 
 def missing(assignment):
diff --git a/mailman/patchset.py b/mailman/patchset.py
index 44a3854f..01d41d36 100644
--- a/mailman/patchset.py
+++ b/mailman/patchset.py
@@ -88,20 +88,20 @@ def check(cover_letter, patches, submission_id):
         with repo.config_writer() as config:
             config.set_value('user', 'name', 'mailman')
             config.set_value('user', 'email', 'mailman@mailman')
-        status = do_check(repo, cover_letter, patches)
-        if status[-1] == '!':
+        auto_feedback = do_check(repo, cover_letter, patches)
+        if auto_feedback[-1] == '!':
             for patch in patches:
                 patch_abspath = str(maildir / patch.msg_id)
                 repo.git.execute(['git', 'commit', '--allow-empty', '-F', patch_abspath])
-        tag_and_push(repo, submission_id, msg=status)
-    return status
+        tag_and_push(repo, submission_id, msg=auto_feedback)
+    return auto_feedback
 
 
 def apply_peer_review(email, submission_id, review_id):
     args = [*git_am_args, '--empty=keep']
     patch_abspath = str(maildir / email.msg_id)
 
-    status = 'sucessfully stored peer review'
+    auto_feedback = 'sucessfully stored peer review'
 
     with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as repo_path:
         try:
@@ -116,6 +116,6 @@ def apply_peer_review(email, submission_id, review_id):
             tag_and_push(repo, submission_id)
         except git.GitCommandError as e:
             print(e, file=sys.stderr)
-            status = 'failed to apply peer review'
+            auto_feedback = 'failed to apply peer review'
 
-    return status
+    return auto_feedback
diff --git a/mailman/submit.py b/mailman/submit.py
index c7f69f3b..23122563 100755
--- a/mailman/submit.py
+++ b/mailman/submit.py
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ def set_status(status):
     gr_db = db.Gradeable
     if asn := asn_db.get_or_none(asn_db.name == emails[0].rcpt):
         cover_letter, *patches = emails
-        status = patchset.check(cover_letter, patches, logfile)
+        auto_feedback = patchset.check(cover_letter, patches, logfile)
         if len(emails) < 2:
             return set_status('missing patches')
         typ = ('initial' if timestamp < asn.initial_due_date
@@ -73,11 +73,11 @@ def set_status(status):
         if not typ:
             return set_status(f'{asn.name} past due')
         gr_db.create(submission_id=logfile, timestamp=timestamp, user=user,
-                     assignment=asn.name, component=typ, status=status)
+                     assignment=asn.name, component=typ, auto_feedback=auto_feedback)
         return set_status(f'{asn.name}: {typ}')
 
     if reply_id:
-        status = patchset.apply_peer_review(emails[0], logfile, reply_id)
+        auto_feedback = patchset.apply_peer_review(emails[0], logfile, reply_id)
         if not (orig := gr_db.get_or_none(gr_db.submission_id == reply_id)):
             return set_status('not a reply to a submission')
         asn_name = orig.assignment
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def set_status(status):
                 return set_status('reviewed wrong submission')
         gr_db.create(submission_id=logfile, timestamp=timestamp,
                      user=user, assignment=asn_name, component=typ,
-                     status=status)
+                     auto_feedback=auto_feedback)
         return set_status(f'{asn_name}: {typ}')
 
     return set_status('Not a recognized recipient')
diff --git a/orbit/radius.py b/orbit/radius.py
index 6ca6a6fb..dc3ed7d8 100644
--- a/orbit/radius.py
+++ b/orbit/radius.py
@@ -463,9 +463,9 @@ def get_automated_feedback(self, attr):
                 due_date = int(self.assignment.final_due_date)
 
         if due_date < int(datetime.now().timestamp()):
-            return gbl.status
+            return gbl.auto_feedback
 
-        match gbl.status[-1]:
+        match gbl.auto_feedback[-1]:
             case '.':
                 return 'Submission accepted'
             case '?':
