Skip to Main Content
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

All content by Andy McWhorter

Face the challenge of UA's contradictions

Andy McWhorter April 21, 2015

Four years ago, I drove from my hometown of Birmingham to Tuscaloosa, a place that, on reflection, I still don’t think I fully understand. The student body of The University of Alabama, like that of...

Student Judiciary orders new procedure for chief of staff nomination

Andy McWhorter April 20, 2015

The SGA Senate will be required to explain any further rejections of President Elliot Spillers' chief of staff nominations to the Student Judiciary for a panel review, according to a decision signed and...

Judge strikes down Alabama's ban on gay marriage

Andy McWhorter January 23, 2015

A federal judge in Mobile struck down the state of Alabama's ban on gay marriage Friday.U.S. District Judge Callie Granade ruled that Cari Searcy could not be denied a second-parent adoption for a boy...

University announces national championship ticket allotment

Andy McWhorter December 31, 2014

The University of Alabama received an allotment of 20,000 tickets to the national championship game in Arlington, Texas, should the team advance from the Sugar Bowl playoff game, according to an email...

Bonner announces resignation

Bonner announces resignation

Andy McWhorter December 17, 2014

University of Alabama President Judy Bonner announced Wednesday that she would resign from the presidency by Sept. 30, 2015. Bonner, the first woman to hold the University's presidency, has held the office...

CW wins seven awards

Andy McWhorter November 3, 2014

The Crimson White won seven awards at a national college media conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania over the weekend, including five first place awards for individual articles or projects. The UA student...

Second UA student arrested for threats, not related to original message

Andy McWhorter September 30, 2014

Daniel Evan Simmons, a 19-year-old University of Alabama student, was arrested Tuesday and charged with making a terrorist threat during the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 23. Simmons is not believed...

Alabamians now a minority at UA

Alabamians now a minority at UA

Andy McWhorter September 28, 2014

Douglas Fair and Brandon Skinner sat at the head of the table in a meeting of The 49, the University’s out-of-state student organization, prepared for a transition. Fair, a senior from Knoxville, Tennessee,...

UA student arrested for threatening message

Andy McWhorter September 23, 2014

Dakota John Timm, a 20-year-old UA student, was arrested Tuesday for sending an "alarming message" Monday night, according to UA News. Timm was charged with charged with obstructing governmental operations...

UAPD investigating second death threat

Andy McWhorter September 22, 2014

A second death threat is being investigated by the University of Alabama Police Department, UA Spokesperson Cathy Andreen said. The second threat was purportedly written by the same "Authur Pendragon"...

Pace of information causes concern after anonymous death threat

Pace of information causes concern after anonymous death threat

Andy McWhorter September 22, 2014

Ashtyn Norris had a familiar experience when police searching Tutwiler Hall Sunday night told her and her roommate to stay in their room, lock the door and not to open it for anyone. When Norris was a...

UAPD investigates death threat at Tutwiler Hall

UAPD investigates death threat at Tutwiler Hall

Andy McWhorter September 21, 2014

University of Alabama police responded to rumors of armed gunmen at Tutwiler Hall Sunday after an anonymous threat was posted online. No gunmen or weapons were found after police conducted a search of...

UA enrollment tops 36,000 to set all-time record

Andy McWhorter September 16, 2014

Enrollment at The University of Alabama has reached a record high of 36,155, with out-of-state and international students together outnumbering in-state students. Compared to fall 2013, 1,303 more students...

Four UA students arrested after assault at Presidential Village II

Andy McWhorter September 12, 2014

Four UA students were arrested in connection with an assault that occurred at Presidential Village II. UA spokesperson Cathy Andreen said the assault was part of an ongoing dispute between a small group...

President Bonner condemns use of 'offensive racial language' in Snapchat

Andy McWhorter August 18, 2014

University of Alabama President Judy Bonner sent a university-wide email earlier today condemning the use of “offensive racial language” in a Snapchat sent by a member of Chi Omega sorority.Screenshots...

Over 2,000 women receive bids at Fall 2014 Bid Day

Over 2,000 women receive bids at Fall 2014 Bid Day

Andy McWhorter August 16, 2014

Only a single black woman, Carla Ferguson in 2003, had ever been given a bid from a Panhellenic sorority during formal recruitment before today. But this year 21 black women and 169 women who identified...

Student Press Law Center expresses concern over media guidelines

Student Press Law Center expresses concern over media guidelines

Andy McWhorter August 14, 2014

The Student Press Law Center sent a letter to The University of Alabama Thursday afternoon expressing concern over the University’s new media guidelines for sorority recruitment, saying they amount...

University restricts media access to rush

University restricts media access to rush

Andy McWhorter August 13, 2014

A festive environment has descended on Sorority Row at The University of Alabama, as thousands of girls continue to participate in the largest formal recruitment in history. But outside of the ice water...

Former professor remembered as an energetic, multi-talented educator

Andy McWhorter July 8, 2014

J. B. McMinn was a man of many interests. In the 30 years he taught philosophy at The University of Alabama, McMinn became the chair of the philosophy department, published a book of poetry, took students...

UA Board of Trustees approves tuition increase

Andy McWhorter June 13, 2014

The University of Alabama Board of Trustees approved a four percent increase in tuition for University of Alabama students in a meeting Friday.The board approved a $188 per semester tuition increase for...

Horwitz appeals to state Supreme Court

Andy McWhorter May 28, 2014

Kelly Horwitz, former representative for District 4 on the Tuscaloosa Board of Education and the losing candidate in last fall’s school board elections, recently filed an appellant brief with the Supreme...

Gallettes to hold testicular cancer awareness event

Andy McWhorter April 17, 2014

Many college students need no excuse to grab a beer on a Thursday afternoon, but at Gallettes from 2-6 p.m., bar goers will have a chance to drink for a cause. At Coronas for Cajones, a testicular cancer...

SGA offers new integration resolution

Andy McWhorter April 8, 2014

Student Government Association President Hamilton Bloom proposed a resolution supporting the continued integration of the Greek community at a special session of the 2014-15 Student Senate held Tuesday...

AIJM events raise money, awareness

Andy McWhorter April 8, 2014

Victims of human trafficking and modern day slavery rarely get a chance to speak for themselves, but Alabama International Justice Mission is hosting a number of events this week to raise awareness and...

The New Black to host march

Andy McWhorter April 3, 2014

“Light the Path: For Equality,” a protest against racial inequality, will be held on the University of Alabama campus on Friday. The protest will consist of a march from the Ferguson Student Center...

Keller not disqualified after election dispute, inaugurated

Andy McWhorter April 2, 2014

The University of Alabama Student Government Association Elections Board decided March 21 that Vice President for Student Affairs Stephen Keller and his campaign “violated the spirit of a fair campaign”...

Keller violated rules, will not be disqualified from holding office

Andy McWhorter March 31, 2014

The University of Alabama Student Government Association Elections Board has decided Vice President-elect for Student Affairs Stephen Keller and his campaign “violated the spirit of a fair campaign”...

Keller accused of violating election rules

Keller accused of violating election rules

Andy McWhorter March 15, 2014

Vice President-elect for Student Affairs Stephen Keller has been accused of violating election rules by accepting and distributing fliers on election day without reporting them to the Elections Board....

Posters may violate election policies

Andy McWhorter March 11, 2014

In an alleged violation of SGA election rules, a number of posters endorsing non-Machine affiliated candidates were posted in residence halls around the University of Alabama campus Monday morning. The...

Candidates prepare for 2014 SGA elections

Andy McWhorter March 10, 2014

With Student Government Association elections just a day away, candidates for the four contested executive offices are making their final arguments for why they should be student leaders for the 2014-15...

Bipartisan campus event weighs in on state legislature

Bipartisan campus event weighs in on state legislature

Andy McWhorter February 19, 2014

University of Alabama students gathered in Lloyd Hall Tuesday evening to hear two policy groups discuss legislative issues facing the state. Both sides weighed in on where the state legislature should...

Students, Alabama Athletics promote ’90s basketball game

Andy McWhorter January 23, 2014

Even the most sports-unconscious out-of-state student coming to The University of Alabama is likely to have some knowledge of the Crimson Tide football team, but other sports such as basketball, women’s...

Spring Get on Board Day more focused

Andy McWhorter January 15, 2014

For students who didn’t get a chance to attend fall Get on Board Day or who might not have found the best organization for them the first time around, The University of Alabama will hold spring Get on...

Delegation from Chinese college visits University of Alabama

Delegation from Chinese college visits University of Alabama

Andy McWhorter January 14, 2014

A delegation of administrators and faculty from Shanghai Normal University Tianhua College in Shanghai, China, visited The University of Alabama on Monday, Jan. 13, as part of negotiations between Tianhua...

Professors voice predictions for the new year

Professors voice predictions for the new year

Andy McWhorter January 13, 2014

A resurgence of MySpace, the return of the slip dress and widespread 3-D printing are just a few of the things we can look forward to in 2014 if The University of Alabama’s annual educated guesses come...

Cold winter to plague Alabama

Andy McWhorter January 8, 2014

Earlier this week, some of the coldest weather Alabama has seen in decades moved into the state, driving temperatures down to well below freezing and causing concerns for the students who had to get back...

Precautions necessary to stay safe in cold weather

Andy McWhorter January 8, 2014

With Alabama experiencing some of its coldest weather in living memory and the rest of winter expected to remain chilly, there are several measure students can take to ensures that they stay safe and comfortable...

Steps to take before leaving for break

Steps to take before leaving for break

Andy McWhorter December 5, 2013

As students finish up with final exams and prepare to head home for the holiday season, there are a few things they can do to make sure their dorm rooms, apartments or homes are safe while they are away....

Mayors make annual wager on Iron Bowl outcome

Andy McWhorter November 26, 2013

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and Auburn Mayor Bill Ham have renewed their annual Iron Bowl wager, though like the game itself, the stakes have been raised. The mayors have held friendly wagers over the...

Age-old football matchup celebrated 65 years later

Andy McWhorter November 26, 2013

When The University of Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn University Tigers met at Legion Field in Birmingham on Dec. 4, 1948, they hadn’t played football together in 41 years. Their last game, played in...

Sorority elects 1st black president

Sorority elects 1st black president

Andy McWhorter November 14, 2013

Hannah Christine Patterson was elected president of Sigma Delta Tau Wednesday, Nov. 6, making her the first black president of a Panhellenic sorority in the history of The University of Alabama. Patterson,...

Suspicious envelope deemed not a threat

Suspicious envelope deemed not a threat

Andy McWhorter November 5, 2013

The University of Alabama Police Department and Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue were called to Rose Administration Building around 4:30 p.m. Monday when a University employee suffered a stinging sensation...

CABJ hosts forum on integration media coverage

Andy McWhorter October 2, 2013

The Capstone Association of Black Journalists hosted a forum in Reese Phifer Hall to discuss the role news media played in the recent integration of several traditionally white sororities Tuesday evening....

Alpha Phi Alpha hosts series on professionalism

Alpha Phi Alpha hosts series on professionalism

Andy McWhorter September 26, 2013

Members of the Kappa Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, the nation’s first black fraternity, gathered in Shelby Hall Wednesday night for the first in a series of forums on the topics of race relations,...

Freshman seating designed to promote unity, learn traditions

Andy McWhorter September 19, 2013

When students head to Bryant-Denny Stadium to see the Crimson Tide take on Colorado State in the first home game of the season, they might notice a few changes from previous years. Most notably, students...

Full stadium newest aim for SGA

Full stadium newest aim for SGA

Andy McWhorter September 19, 2013

With the first home football game of the season right around the corner, the SGA and other campus organizations are looking for ways to keep more students in their seats. Looking up and seeing the student...

Freshman seating designed to promote unity, learn traditions

Andy McWhorter September 19, 2013

When students head to Bryant-Denny Stadium to see the Crimson Tide take on Colorado State in the first home game of the season, they might notice a few changes from previous years. Most notably, students...

Full stadium newest aim for SGA

Full stadium newest aim for SGA

Andy McWhorter September 19, 2013

With the first home football game of the season right around the corner, the SGA and other campus organizations are looking for ways to keep more students in their seats. Looking up and seeing the student...

Student overcomes brain tumor

Student overcomes brain tumor

Andy McWhorter September 10, 2013

Anna Montgomery was an active student in her freshman year at The University of Alabama before she started to get sick. Montgomery was involved with her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, and loved going to...

Too young? Too bad: local businesses, police stay vigilant to identify fake IDs

Too young? Too bad: local businesses, police stay vigilant to identify fake IDs

Andy McWhorter August 29, 2013

With a new freshman class settling into Tuscaloosa and another football season right around the corner, local businesses and law enforcement are facing the challenge of a fresh batch of fake IDs. With...

University considers smoking ban; other Alabama schools lead the way

University considers smoking ban; other Alabama schools lead the way

Andy McWhorter August 21, 2013

At the start of a new semester at The University of Alabama, autumn and football are not the only things in the air. As a new freshman class embraces campus, the debate between the right to clean air...

University co-sponsors Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction

Andy McWhorter July 24, 2013

The 2013 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction has been awarded to Professor Paul Goldstein of Stanford University for his book “Havana Requiem.” The award is co-sponsored by The University of Alabama...

One-year mark since shooting at Copper Top bar, located in downtown Tuscaloosa

Andy McWhorter July 17, 2013

One year ago today, shortly after midnight, Nathan Van Wilkins, a 44-year-old Northport, Ala., resident, went to Temerson Square in downtown Tuscaloosa and opened fire with a military style assault rifle,...

Four councils govern campus greeks

Andy McWhorter July 17, 2013

With more than 7,000 members spread out over 58 different organizations, The University of Alabama has the largest greek student body of any institution in North America, Ryan Powell, assistant director...

Rights group asks UA to recognize free speech

Andy McWhorter July 10, 2013

In response to threats of arrest toward counter- protesters at a Bama Students for Life’s protest on the Quad in April, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education sent a letter to The University...

Housing developments on the rise, task force to gather data

Andy McWhorter July 10, 2013

With enrollment growing every year at The University of Alabama, so too does the student housing market. Alongside new business developments in the downtown and McFarland Boulevard areas, new student housing...

Years later, Scottsboro Boys to be pardoned

Andy McWhorter July 3, 2013

This Monday, a bill passed by the Alabama Legislature in April, which would allow the Scottsboro Boys to be pardoned posthumously, took effect. While most of the Scottsboro Boys – nine young men who...

Students respond to Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision

Andy McWhorter July 3, 2013

Wednesday, June 26, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down both the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8 in a landmark victory for same-sex marriage proponents. Both cases...

50 years later: Room for improvement

Andy McWhorter June 26, 2013

Today’s University of Alabama looks much different than it did 50 years ago. Jim Oakley, recruiting coordinator and career counselor in the College of Communication and Information Sciences and former...

Start-up networking program comes to Tuscaloosa

Andy McWhorter June 26, 2013

The autoXLR8R accelerator program stopped in Tuscaloosa June 24 and 25 for part of its 13-week “tech tour” across the Southeast. The program, which is in its first year, connects entrepreneurs and...

Parking permits sold can exceed total spaces

Andy McWhorter June 5, 2013

With multiple new construction projects and the ever-growing student body requiring more parking facilities, students have voiced their displeasure with the parking situation on The University of Alabama...

Alabama Democrats split over formation of new group

Andy McWhorter May 29, 2013

Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party Mark Kennedy resigned his position on April 22 and soon after formed the Alabama Democratic Majority, a new political organization focused on getting more Democratic...

Spring break may interfere with primary elections

Andy McWhorter February 29, 2012

  With Alabama’s primary elections only two weeks away, many are planning what decision they’ll be making come March 13. But with the election falling on a Tuesday in the middle of spring break...

Bentley focuses on jobs, education in address

Bentley focuses on jobs, education in address

Andy McWhorter February 16, 2012

Wayne Urban, associate director of the Education Policy Center at the University of Alabama, said the plan Gov. Robert Bentley presented in last week's State of the State speech for education policy might...

UA, AU students teach creative arts to inmates

UA, AU students teach creative arts to inmates

Andy McWhorter February 7, 2012

Behind the locked doors, fences and walls of Alabama’s prisons, students from both Auburn University and the University of Alabama are working with inmates to create art. The Alabama Prison Arts and...

Tornado-affected businesses face uncertain future

Tornado-affected businesses face uncertain future

Andy McWhorter November 2, 2011

When an EF4 tornado tore through Tuscaloosa last April, it left businesses, homes and lives destroyed in its wake. Now, six months later, much of the debris has been cleared, but the damage has yet to...

Civil rights leader remembered in Birmingham

Andy McWhorter October 25, 2011

Fifty years ago, a battle was raging in the heart of Birmingham, Ala. For decades, institutional racism had reigned supreme across the southern United States. But in the early 1960s, when President Kennedy...