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Serving The University of Alabama since 1894.

The Crimson White


Serving The University of Alabama since 1894.

The Crimson White

Serving The University of Alabama since 1894.

The Crimson White

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor

All content by Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt
Adolescent social media use triggers TCS lawsuit against social media giants

Adolescent social media use triggers TCS lawsuit against social media giants

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor April 19, 2023

School districts nationwide have taken the battle against worsening adolescent mental health to the courts, suing social media companies that they say are contributing to spiking rates of anxiety, depression...

Former VP Mike Pence visits campus; speaks against ‘wokeism’

Former VP Mike Pence visits campus; speaks against ‘wokeism’

Ainsley Platt and Maven Navarro April 12, 2023

Former Vice President Mike Pence, a self-described “Christian first, a conservative second and a Republican third,” was greeted with an uproar of applause as he stepped out on stage to address what...

Mike Pence to announce decision on 2024 campaign within a month

Mike Pence to announce decision on 2024 campaign within a month

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor April 11, 2023

Former United States Vice President Mike Pence said he will announce a decision on whether he will run for president in 2024 within the next month or so.  “We’re giving careful consideration to...

SGA election complaints show trend of Greeks filing against independents

SGA election complaints show trend of Greeks filing against independents

The past Student Government Association election saw the most contested executive races since 2016 with four self-declared independent candidates. The Crimson White reviewed the election complaints filed...

SGA President-elect Collier Dobbs debates at the SGA Candidate Forum on Feb. 26, 2023

Elections Board dismisses Alpha Phi video complaint; says Dobbs was ‘unaware’

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor March 6, 2023

The Student Government Association Elections Board dismissed a complaint of election fraud against President-elect Collier Dobbs that dealt with a video of a member of Alpha Phi sorority voting while referring...

Provided by the Richardson campaign

Richardson given 9 points by Elections Board for violation not listed in manual, Constitution

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor March 5, 2023

John Richardson, a candidate for the SGA presidency who lost according to unofficial results, was given nine violation points for election fraud in a March 3 ruling from the Elections Board. Richardson...

Peterson responds to election fraud complaint over GroupMe messages shared on Yik Yak

Peterson responds to election fraud complaint over GroupMe messages shared on Yik Yak

Xzarria Peterson, a candidate for SGA vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, received a complaint of election fraud after messages from her campaign GroupMe, which she said were taken out...

These screenshots were provided by "Concerned Student"

Instagram account ridicules SGA candidates; investigation reveals connection to campaign manager

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt and Kayla Solino February 25, 2023

Editor's Note (2/25/2023): This story has been updated to include that Jordan Suttles has now relieved his campaign manager of her duties. At 1:26 p.m. on Feb. 22, a notification went off. It was an...

Darius Miles' and Michael Davis' mugshots.

New details in Strip shooting emerge; Miles’ attorneys argue self-defense

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt and Mathey Gibson February 22, 2023

Editor's Note (2/23/23): This article was updated to include a statement from an attorney representing Brandon Miller The small court room in the Tuscaloosa County Jail was standing room only 30 minutes...

Judge denies bond motion for Darius Miles

Judge denies bond motion for Darius Miles

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor February 21, 2023

The judge presiding over Darius Miles’ preliminary hearing denied Miles’ attorney’s motion to set bond, saying that district prosecutors had established probable cause.  Miles was charged with...

Court hearing reveals Brandon Miller’s role in fatal shooting

Court hearing reveals Brandon Miller’s role in fatal shooting

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor February 21, 2023

An investigator said in a court hearing that Brandon Miller, a star player on Alabama’s men’s basketball team, was present at the scene of the fatal shooting that killed Jamea Harris on Jan. 15 and...

Darius Miles provided gun used in fatal shooting, per court records

Darius Miles provided gun used in fatal shooting, per court records

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor January 17, 2023

Darius Miles, the now-former Crimson Tide basketball player, allegedly provided the gun used in Sunday’s fatal shooting, according to court records.  Written testimony from Branden Culpepper, an...

Darius Miles releases statement maintaining innocence in fatal shooting

Darius Miles releases statement maintaining innocence in fatal shooting

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor January 16, 2023

Darius Miles, the University of Alabama basketball player who was arrested Sunday on charges of capital murder, released a statement through his attorney maintaining his innocence. Miles is no longer a...

Crimson Tide forward Darius Miles charged with capital murder

Crimson Tide forward Darius Miles charged with capital murder

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor January 15, 2023

Editors Note (1/17/23): This article was updated to correctly note the second suspects name as Michael Davis. University of Alabama men’s basketball player Darius Miles was one of two suspects arrested...

CW Graphic reading, News In Brief.

University, Alabama Dept. Of Health hosting event on substance misuse

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor January 11, 2023

The University of Alabama announced that it is planning to hold a professional development conference in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Mental Health next week.   A UA news release said...

Foreign language, literature and history requirements on chopping block in new core curriculum

Foreign language, literature and history requirements on chopping block in new core curriculum

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor November 16, 2022

Starting in fall 2025, students entering The University of Alabama can complete their general education requirements without taking a history or literature class. Foreign language classes will only be...

Homecoming queen candidate includes UA marketing materials in campaign

Homecoming queen candidate includes UA marketing materials in campaign

Ainsley Platt | @ainsleyplatt, News Editor  October 16, 2022

The University of Alabama posted promotional photos and videos of homecoming queen candidate Ellery Hill on its social media pages in the days leading up to her announcement as a candidate.   The posts,...

McLean Moore is named homecoming queen at the annual pep rally and bonfire on Oct. 22, 2021.

Homecoming queen candidate announcement delayed over a week

Ainsley Platt, News Editor October 5, 2022

The University of Alabama has yet to release the names of the five members of the homecoming court in the first election cycle with the new homecoming queen election process.  According to the original...

Senate approves October student organization funding, grants $7,135.53 for controversial speaker event  

Senate approves October student organization funding, grants $7,135.53 for controversial speaker event  

Skyler Dunn and Ainsley Platt October 2, 2022

The Student Government Association approved the October student organization funding requests that were presented by the Financial Affairs Committee at the Sept. 29 Senate meeting.   A total of $63,111...

SGA releases timeline for fall special election

SGA releases timeline for fall special election

Ainsley Platt, News Editor September 23, 2022

The Fall 2022 SGA Special Election will be held Oct. 27, an announcement on the SGA website said today. Voting will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.   A run-off, if necessary, will be held on Nov. 1.  The...

Delta Chi members listen to training conducted by UA End Overdose.

Movement to train students on drug overdose prevention and treatment gains momentum 

Ainsley Platt, News Editor September 21, 2022

Nearly a year after the SGA passed a resolution calling on the University to train students in the administration of Narcan, a medication which treats opioid overdoses, UA End Overdose, a new student organization...

The ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Julia Tutwiler Hall.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for new Tutwiler Hall 

Ainsley Platt, News Editor September 18, 2022

Members of The University of Alabama System board of trustees, UA President Stuart Bell and other members of the University’s leadership cut the ribbon in front of the new Tutwiler residence hall to...

Senate Recap: Overdose training passes, electronic voting sent to committee

Senate Recap: Overdose training passes, electronic voting sent to committee

Ainsley Platt and Alex Gravlee September 9, 2022

Electronic Voting Records bill – Sent to Rules Committee  On Thursday, the SGA Senate sent a bill to the Rules Committee for review that would require senators to vote electronically.   According...

A photo of five women side by side wearing nice dresses and "Homecoming Court" sashes.

The new Homecoming Queen election rules, in-depth 

Ainsley Platt, News Editor August 31, 2022

Editor's Note (09/02/2022): This story was updated to note that the homecoming queen requires the most votes to win, not the majority of the votes.    The University of Alabama released its...

The 2021 homecoming queen election, won by Mclean Moore, led to calls for change in the homecoming election process.

UA releases new homecoming queen process, applications open Sept. 1

Ainsley Platt, News Editor August 30, 2022

The University published the new selection process for homecoming queen Tuesday, following last year’s contentious homecoming election that culminated with sit-in protests in the Student Government Association...

‘Long live the Machine’: Documentary on infamous UA group premieres at Birmingham film festival 

‘Long live the Machine’: Documentary on infamous UA group premieres at Birmingham film festival 

Ainsley Platt and Kayla Solino August 28, 2022

Fran Viselli’s business was a casualty of politics.  Not national, or even state politics. According to a new documentary, “Machine: Vivat Apparatus,” Bama Bino’s Pizzeria was a casualty of...

CW Graphic reading, News In Brief.

Get On Board Day postponed due to rain 

Ainsley Platt, News Editor August 24, 2022

 Get on Board Day, the tabling event held every spring and fall semester to get students involved in student organizations, has been postponed due to weather.   The event will now take place five...

UA nixes mail fee for off-campus undergraduates

UA nixes mail fee for off-campus undergraduates

Ainsley Platt, News Editor August 10, 2022

The University of Alabama announced in an email that the controversial $25 mail service fee for off-campus undergraduate students would not be assessed this semester.  According to the email, “no...

CW/ Lexi Hall

Songs, events and mascots to know as a new UA student

Ainsley Platt, News Editor August 8, 2022

As new freshmen begin moving onto campus in August, many will need to learn about traditions, common sights and phrases that many existing students already know. Below are some traditions that every UA...

Students express opinions on Roe v. Wade reversal

Students express opinions on Roe v. Wade reversal

Ainsley Platt, News Editor June 28, 2022

The country has begun to come to terms with the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling in its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.   After...

The Crimson White. News in Brief.

New C&IS dean announced

Ainsley Platt, News Editor May 19, 2022

The University of Alabama announced that Brian Butler will be taking over as the new dean of the College of Communication and Information Sciences, effective July 1.  Butler is coming to Tuscaloosa from...

A 1973 edition of The Crimson White displays an ad for abortion services following the Roe v. Wade decision.

U.S. Supreme Court considers overturning Roe v. Wade; how Alabama could be affected

On Tuesday, Politico released the initial draft of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health case written by Associate Justice Samuel Alito. The draft shows the court initially...

Michael Knowles, Liz Wheeler and Ted Cruz record an episode of "Verdict With Ted Cruz" in front of a live audience at the Tuscaloosa River Market on April 18, 2022.

Sen. Ted Cruz brings podcast to Tuscaloosa 

Correction on April 20: Young Americans for Freedom VP Wyatt Eichholz said the organizations hosts events "to let people know that conservatives exist at Alabama," not "in Alabama."  Texas Sen. Ted...

UA names new engineering dean

UA names new engineering dean

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter April 13, 2022
The University of Alabama named Clifford Henderson the dean of the College of Engineering beginning Aug. 1.
Homecoming task force extends deadline for student survey

Homecoming task force extends deadline for student survey

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter April 12, 2022

The deadline to fill out the Homecoming Queen Task Force's survey to gather student opinions on the homecoming selection process has been extended from April 13 to April 15. Former VP for Student Life...

Former VP for student life’s prostitution solicitation charge dismissed 

Former VP for student life’s prostitution solicitation charge dismissed 

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter April 7, 2022

Former UA Vice President for Student Life Myron Pope’s solicitation charge was dismissed Monday after Pope paid a $100 fine and completed a Johns Education and Awareness Program. The program teaches...

Autherine Lucy waves to the crowd after cutting the ribbon at the dedication of the newly named Autherine Lucy Hall in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Feb. 25, 2022.

UA to honor Autherine Lucy Foster in memorial service

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter March 20, 2022

The University of Alabama will hold a memorial service for Autherine Lucy Foster in Foster Auditorium at 11 a.m. on March 24.  Lucy, the first Black student to attend the University, died on March...

SGA Recap. The Crimson White.

SGA chief justice deems bill unconstitutional

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter March 9, 2022
Matthew Curl, chief justice of the Student Government Association Judicial Board, declared a bill that requires 50% of SGA office hours be held in the SGA office unconstitutional. 
Meet SGA executive secretary candidate Josie Schmitt

Meet SGA executive secretary candidate Josie Schmitt

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter March 4, 2022

Q: How did you get involved in the SGA? A: So this time last year, I actually was on a top-five Senate campaign team, and I helped out with the vice president of student affairs campaign team. Ever...

UA President Stuart Bell spoke at a COVID-19 press conference in August 2020.

How does UA make COVID decisions?

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter March 2, 2022
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University has been navigating a changing landscape.
Autherine Lucy waves to the crowd at the dedication of the newly named Autherine Lucy Hall in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Feb. 25, 2022.

Autherine Lucy Hall: University of Alabama dedicates building in honor of first Black student

The University of Alabama dedicated Autherine Lucy Hall in honor of its first Black student Friday afternoon.  Previously named for former Alabama governor and Ku Klux Klan leader Bibb Graves,...

UA health officials express optimism, stress precautions in COVID-19 town hall

UA health officials express optimism, stress precautions in COVID-19 town hall

Jack Maurer | @JackMaurer10 and Ainsley Platt January 20, 2022
In a virtual town hall on Wednesday, three University of Alabama health officials shared a positive outlook on the future of the COVID-19 pandemic but reiterated the importance of precautions like masks, social distancing and vaccination.
UA reports 498 COVID cases during first week of spring classes

UA reports 498 COVID cases during first week of spring classes

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter January 18, 2022

The University of Alabama reported 498 cases in the first COVID-19 dashboard update since early December, with 70% of positive tests coming from students. This data is self-reported. Sentinel, entry...

Racist texts in group message lead to Alpha Phi president’s removal, member’s termination 

Racist texts in group message lead to Alpha Phi president’s removal, member’s termination 

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter December 11, 2021

Alpha Phi member Kylie Klueger sent a racist text in a private group message with some of her sorority sisters, including Alpha Phi’s then-president Katherine Anthony. On Thursday, the sorority ousted...

UA reports 25% flu positivity rate as vaccinations lag 

UA reports 25% flu positivity rate as vaccinations lag 

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter December 6, 2021

At least 25% of the 1,500 flu tests conducted by the UA Student Health Center in November were positive.  Dr. Richard Friend, dean of the College of Community Health Sciences, said campus cases are...

Is COVID still a concern for campus?

Is COVID still a concern for campus?

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter November 18, 2021
With the mask mandate lifted, many students feel that there has been a return to pre-COVID-19 normalcy.
QSA. Est. 1983. Queer Student Association. Connection and Action.

LGBTQ student organization proposes new name, logo

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter November 14, 2021
Spectrum, an LGBTQ student organization at The University of Alabama, unveiled a potential new constitution, name and logo after their annual State of the Queer Union panel on Nov. 11.
UA temporarily disables employee vaccine exemption request form 

UA temporarily disables employee vaccine exemption request form 

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter November 10, 2021

UA employees can request medical, disability and religious exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, but the exemption request form is temporarily unavailable.  An update posted on the University’s...

UA students and employees react to COVID-19 campus updates

UA students and employees react to COVID-19 campus updates

Ainsley Platt, Staff Reporter November 3, 2021
Beginning Nov. 5, masks are no longer required for vaccinated individuals on campus in most cases.
UA creates online portal for employee vaccine reports

UA creates online portal for employee vaccine reports

Ainsley Platt, Contributing Writer October 31, 2021

The University of Alabama announced a new Vaccine Management Portal for UA employees to submit their proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.  Employees must also use the portal to request medical, disability...

Masks not required for vaccinated individuals beginning Nov. 5

Masks not required for vaccinated individuals beginning Nov. 5

Ainsley Platt, Contributing Writer October 29, 2021

The University of Alabama will not require masks for fully vaccinated individuals in most cases beginning Nov. 5.  Unvaccinated individuals will still be required to wear face coverings indoors, in...

COVID - 19 Update. The Crimson White.

How the COVID-19 dashboard has changed over the year

Ainsley Platt, Contributing Writer October 24, 2021
Since August 2020, the UA System COVID-19 Dashboard has been the primary source of information about the state of the virus across the UA System’s three campuses.