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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

All content by Ashley Chaffin

Students should graduate college with education, not just a piece of paper

Ashley Chaffin April 21, 2013

Saying goodbye to The University of Alabama was supposed to be easy. The plan was to walk May 4 and be gone at most three days later. In October, this column would have been a quick reflection of my opinions...

Championship football team deserves #1 fans in Bryant-Denny

Ashley Chaffin November 8, 2012

Living rooms and bars across Alabama erupted a few times on Saturday night. The first eruption came when T.J. Yeldon ran the game-winning touchdown in with only 51 seconds left in the Alabama-LSU game....

Alleged gunman apprehended off campus

Ashley Chaffin November 6, 2012

At 11:29 a.m., The University of Alabama announced there was an armed individual at the Phi Delta Theta house through the University Emergency System. UA Spokeswoman Cathy Andreen said UAPD responded...

Fraternity pledge details UA’s culture of hazing

Ashley Chaffin October 16, 2012

“Who wants to drop?” They’re asked as they run errands. They’re asked as they do physically strenuous tasks on basement floors, “Who wants to drop?” They’re asked constantly as their schedules...

Guy Bailey becomes 37th president

Ashley Chaffin September 3, 2012

Guy Bailey became the 37th president of The University of Alabama on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Following a search that began in March, the Board of Trustees elected Bailey as the next president Wednesday, July...

Homegrown Alabama allows students to purchase local produce with Bama Cash

Homegrown Alabama allows students to purchase local produce with Bama Cash

Ashley Chaffin August 22, 2012

The usually vacant grass lot at Canterbury Episcopal Chapel comes alive from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays as Homegrown Alabama takes over the shaded plot of land. Visitors can smell the freshly cut grass,...

TPD: Investigation continues after police transport suspect back to Tuscaloosa

Ashley Chaffin July 17, 2012

A suspect has been taken into police custody in the Tuscaloosa shooting case after he turned himself into a business in Jasper, Ala.Tuesday morning. The Tuscaloosa Police Department will not release the...

TPD: Suspect in custody

Ashley Chaffin July 17, 2012

Tuscaloosa Police have confirmed that a suspect in the Tuscaloosa shootings was in custody as of 11:50 a.m. Tuesday. TPD will update the public again at 1 p.m. Tuscaloosa Police Chief Steven Anderson...

Bailey made emergency management a priority at Texas Tech

Ashley Chaffin July 9, 2012

Texas Tech became the first university to be investigated by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board on Jan. 7, 2010, after a laboratory explosion left a graduate student seriously injured. Taylor Eighmy, senior...

Texas Tech president to interview with UA

Ashley Chaffin July 6, 2012

Guy Bailey, president of Texas Tech University, will interview for the University of Alabama presidency on Wednesday, July 11. According to an announcement made by UA System Chancellor Robert Witt, Bailey...

Industry giants headline summer movie season with upcoming releases

Ashley Chaffin June 20, 2012

While spending upwards of $8 to see a film may seem outrageous to some, the always-increasing price tag of going to the movies hasn’t forced me to shy away from the theaters just yet. Spending most of...

Students complete three weeks of service in Marion

Ashley Chaffin May 30, 2012

Thirty University of Alabama students spent May 7-25 in Marion, Ala., carrying out projects aimed to help the small Black Belt community. “[Community members] seemed really happy to be able to partner...

Kelly Clarkson, The Fray set to play the Amp

Ashley Chaffin April 16, 2012

Red Mountain Entertainment announced another act made famous by “American Idol” will headline a show at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre this fall. Kelly Clarkson, who won the inaugural season of the show,...

Brothers Street Eats no longer serving on campus

Brothers Street Eats no longer serving on campus

Ashley Chaffin April 16, 2012

Brothers Street Eats pulled up to the Quad to serve lunch for the first time on Feb.12. On April 13, they served their last meal on campus. According to Bama Dining, they served an average of 60 to 70...

‘Real World’ to host casting call

Ashley Chaffin April 10, 2012

One of the longest running reality shows, MTV’s “The Real World,” is casting for their 28th season at Mellow Mushroom today. The show is looking for anyone who will be 21 years old by March 1, 2013,...

Daughtry to play the Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre

Daughtry to play the Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre

Ashley Chaffin April 9, 2012

The Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre added Daughtry to the summer concert lineup this morning. Red Mountain Entertainment, which does the booking for the venue, announced Daughtry will play the Amphitheatre on...

Prominent UA faculty dance for scholarships

Prominent UA faculty dance for scholarships

Ashley Chaffin March 27, 2012

By day, the stars of the UA Arty Party Fundraiser event “Dancing with the Bama Stars” are a dean, a vice chancellor of the UA System and a prominent alumnus. By night — or at least the night of March...

John Mayer, Luke Bryan to play at the Amphitheater

John Mayer, Luke Bryan to play at the Amphitheater

Ashley Chaffin February 28, 2012

Red Mountain Entertainment announced two more acts for their spring concert lineup on Monday. John Mayer and Luke Bryan will both play shows at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater in April. Mayer, a seven-time...

‘Arrested Development’ finally returning

Ashley Chaffin February 16, 2012

“Arrested Development” fans celebrated the official announcement of the show’s continuation from writer Dean Lorey and star Jason Bateman in December 2011. For those of you who haven’t...

Show features affordable clothes

Show features affordable clothes

Ashley Chaffin February 13, 2012

For many UA women the cost of dresses for events such as formals or romantic dates can turn into a big problem. However, Rent the Runway works to fix that. “Basically it is every college girl’s dream...

NBC's 'The Voice' offers a better option to traditional talent shows

NBC’s ‘The Voice’ offers a better option to traditional talent shows

Ashley Chaffin February 9, 2012

NBC deciding to air the second season premiere of “The Voice” directly after the Super Bowl, which was the most watched program in United States history, was probably one of the most genius moves NBC...

No spring concert planned

No spring concert planned

Ashley Chaffin February 8, 2012

The Avett Brothers and Band of Horses played the inaugural concert last year at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater on April 1. Red Mountain Entertainment, who manages the amphitheater, worked with the University...

The Super Bowl of football food

Ashley Chaffin February 2, 2012

This Sunday, Tuscaloosa residents will host all kinds of Super Bowl parties. Whether you’re the host of the party or just attending one, watching the big game just isn’t the same without some good...

Lifestyles Section seeks your input, suggestions

Ashley Chaffin February 1, 2012

We call this section the Lifestyles Section because it is supposed to cover topics relevant to the student lifestyle at The University of Alabama. That reaches from food to fashion and everything in-between....

‘Sons of Anarchy’ has audiences hooked

Ashley Chaffin January 26, 2012

Recently wrapping up its fourth season on FX, “Sons of Anarchy” follows an outlaw motorcycle club as they push guns up and down the California coast. Although Sons is not currently airing on television,...

Outdoor Rec offers adventure this spring

Outdoor Rec offers adventure this spring

Ashley Chaffin January 24, 2012

  Every semester, the Outdoor Recreation Center sponsors trips around Tuscaloosa and the eastern United States doing various activities in the great outdoors. The spring semester features the usual hiking,...

Is reality TV worth the weight on its stars?

Is reality TV worth the weight on its stars?

Ashley Chaffin January 19, 2012

Twenty years ago, the only reality show you could find on television was MTV’s “The Real World,” which was created as a relatable TV show for people to enjoy. Now, more MTV viewers look forward to...

What to do with your empty life now that football is over

Ashley Chaffin January 18, 2012

The 12 short weeks of football season make it easy for students to plan their weekends in the fall. Fridays are spent preparing for the game, Saturdays are spent at the game and Sundays are spent recovering...

Bama Art House screens first film in winter series

Bama Art House screens first film in winter series

Ashley Chaffin January 17, 2012

  This semester’s Bama Art House Series kicked off last week with the film Melancholia. For anyone who missed the first film, here is the list of films showing throughout this semester at The Bama...

UA services help with resolutions

Ashley Chaffin January 12, 2012

January is usually a month of working towards New Year’s resolutions, but February through December are usually months of forgetting about them. With school, work and a social life, many students let...

All Fired Up serves as creative outlet for UA students

All Fired Up serves as creative outlet for UA students

Ashley Chaffin December 1, 2011

According to Noelle Ingram, art is a form of therapy for some people, and at her shop in Northport a day of therapy won’t cost anywhere near what it might for a therapist. “[I love] the creativity,”...

Girl Talk tickets cause hysteria for UA followers

Girl Talk tickets cause hysteria for UA followers

Ashley Chaffin November 30, 2011

News broke on Monday that mash-up artist Girl Talk would kick off his latest tour Wednesday in Tuscaloosa, and on Tuesday many students and Tuscaloosa residents spent their day searching for tickets. ...

Alabama Blues Project focuses on celebrating rich musical culture

Alabama Blues Project focuses on celebrating rich musical culture

Ashley Chaffin November 22, 2011

Many Alabama residents may not realize that the state is known for the blues, but a local nonprofit is hoping to change that. “The purpose was, and is to this day, that Alabama blues is overlooked,”...

It was the lights, Pretty Lights

It was the lights, Pretty Lights

Ashley Chaffin October 16, 2011

I can’t think of one song on my iPod or one band that I claim to like that doesn’t have lyrics to go along with the music. Bands that can put words together beautifully just strike my fancy more than...

Vintage T-shirt sale back at Alabama for fifth year

Vintage T-shirt sale back at Alabama for fifth year

Ashley Chaffin October 10, 2011

It’s not often someone can get an official concert T-shirt from a band without attending the show, but this Thursday at the Ferguson Center will offer that chance for anyone whose favorite band may be...

Kentuck celebrates 40 years of success

Kentuck celebrates 40 years of success

Ashley Chaffin October 9, 2011

Some of the buildings that surround the Courtyard of Wonders were originally gas stations. Studio artists built others over time; one had pink carpet paired with green walls and as recently as last year...

Nirvana’s “Nevermind” withstands test of time

Ashley Chaffin September 26, 2011

Certain songs, albums and artists can withstand the test of time and be passed from generation to generation, but few have done it quite as well as Nirvana has. In the fall of 1991, big name artists such...

Stockett's 'The Help' creates tension after successful book and movie release

Stockett’s ‘The Help’ creates tension after successful book and movie release

Ashley Chaffin September 14, 2011

Of the 29 consecutive weeks UA graduate Kathryn Stockett’s “The Help” has been on the New York Times Bestseller list, it has dropped out of the top 10 only seven times; 11 of those weeks, including...

FEMA maps out long-term recovery efforts

FEMA maps out long-term recovery efforts

Ashley Chaffin August 3, 2011

The rebuilding process following the April 27 tornado is going to be a long process. Besides clearing debris and a few businesses being able to reopen their doors, very little rebuilding that has gone...

Netflix raises prices

Ashley Chaffin July 27, 2011

Sometimes it feels like Netflix runs my life. I have inadvertently stayed up until 4 a.m. on countless occasions to watch whatever show it has me addicted to at that time. Netflix and I had a good system...

Tuscaloosa takes first steps toward recovery after April 27 tornado

Tuscaloosa takes first steps toward recovery after April 27 tornado

Ashley Chaffin July 27, 2011

Three months ago today, Tuscaloosa was hit by a catastrophic tornado, and the city has been working on unveiling plans for rebuilding. Although officials have stressed that these plans were just a first...

Delta Gamma joins greek community

Delta Gamma joins greek community

Ashley Chaffin July 27, 2011

The UA Panhellenic community will welcome a new organization into their ranks this year with Delta Gamma sorority. Delta Gamma is one of the top three largest sororities in the country and has traditions...

Google+ shows abundance of potential

Google+ shows abundance of potential

Ashley Chaffin July 20, 2011

Everyone who likes to make their opinion known on the Internet, which happens to be most people who use the Internet, have made their opinions known about Google+. Thousands of media websites and publications...

I should have gotten a Hogwarts letter

Ashley Chaffin July 12, 2011

I didn’t get through the entire Harry Potter series until I was a senior in high school. This wasn’t because I didn’t love the first four when I read them as a child; it was more because I have always...

How to go to a concert on $150 or less

How to go to a concert on $150 or less

Ashley Chaffin June 28, 2011

One thing I’ve noticed that I have in common with most other college students is that most of us do not like spending money, and most of us do not have a lot of money to spend. This, however, has never...

Tornado forces students to rethink housing options

Tornado forces students to rethink housing options

Ashley Chaffin June 14, 2011

Many UA students who were left homeless after the tornado are having some difficulty finding housing for next year. Before the tornado, Tuscaloosa seemed to have something for every person’s needs,...

UA student survives two deadly storms

UA student survives two deadly storms

Ashley Chaffin June 7, 2011

Like many University of Alabama students, Emily Fuller decided to head home after the University cancelled finals in the wake of the April 27 tornado. Looking forward to being home and away from the destruction,...

Taylor Swift, others plan concerts for disaster relief

Taylor Swift, others plan concerts for disaster relief

Ashley Chaffin May 18, 2011

With so many of the relief efforts putting citizens in the center of the devastation from the recent tornados in the state, many volunteers haven’t gotten a chance to clear their minds about what happened...

Student films screened at Bama

Student films screened at Bama

Ashley Chaffin April 26, 2011

The Bama Theater was filled tonight as 13 UA students presented their original documentaries. The fifth-annual Documenting Justice screening featured six films that covered a large range of topics that...

Three ensembles to perform at Moody

Three ensembles to perform at Moody

Ashley Chaffin April 21, 2011

The Moody Concert Hall will come to life for the last time this semester with a concert that showcases the talents of three music ensembles from the University. The Huxford Symphony Orchestra, University...

Dixie prepares to PRTY PRTY PRTY

Dixie prepares to PRTY PRTY PRTY

Ashley Chaffin April 13, 2011

Sometimes, it can be a difficult task to find something out of the ordinary to do on a Friday night in Tuscaloosa, but Harris Stewart thinks he has a solution. PRTY! PRTY! PRTY!, a new recurring dance...

‘The Baby Dance’ focuses on adoption

Ashley Chaffin April 10, 2011

“The Baby Dance” has been dancing around play director Karen Baker’s mind for about 12 years. “It really moved me,” she said. “It was something that has been in the back of my mind as a play...

Drummers bring rhythm to light

Ashley Chaffin March 29, 2011

The Moody Concert Hall, which is accustomed to performances that honor some of the most famous musicians to ever perform, will host a brand new group that plays all original music. Rhythm Entertainment...

Contest to put search skills to the test

Ashley Chaffin March 25, 2011

University Libraries is giving any student who thinks every question can be answered using Google or Wikipedia the chance to prove it this week. Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library is putting on the first ever...

New College to celebrate life of Bob Dylan

New College to celebrate life of Bob Dylan

Ashley Chaffin March 23, 2011

The University of Alabama and New College are providing students a chance to celebrate Bob Dylan’s 70th birthday tonight from 5-6:30 p.m. “New College is invested in helping students make connections...

Local bars installing breathalyzers

Local bars installing breathalyzers

Ashley Chaffin March 10, 2011

Many popular bars have a new fixture on their walls flashing lights and emitting sounds, but it is not another lighted beer sign or jukebox. More and more bars in Tuscaloosa have been installing breathalyzer...

Wilhagan’s hosts regional beer tasting

Ashley Chaffin March 9, 2011

Local website and podcast Well That’s Cool will team up with Wilhagan’s to provide Tuscaloosa with a different kind of beer drinking experience this weekend. Well That’s Cool will host their second...

Downtown store supports artists, promotes community

Downtown store supports artists, promotes community

Ashley Chaffin March 3, 2011

When Jamie Cicatiello moved back to Tuscaloosa after graduating from The Savannah School of Art and Design, she wasn’t happy with what she saw. After visiting her siblings’ and friends’ homes, she...

Poetry slam comes to the Bama Theatre

Ashley Chaffin February 27, 2011

The Bama Theatre is opening its doors to all local poets Tuesday night for its first ever poetry slam. The event starts at 7:30 p.m., but anyone interested in signing up to participate is encouraged to...

Kami-Con hits Tuscaloosa this weekend

Kami-Con hits Tuscaloosa this weekend

Ashley Chaffin February 17, 2011

Thousands of anime fans will flood the Ferguson Center this weekend for the third annual Kami-Con. “The University caters to a lot of different people of different cultural backgrounds,” said Colby...

Campus MovieFest wraps up at Ferg

Campus MovieFest wraps up at Ferg

Ashley Chaffin February 10, 2011

The Campus MovieFest finale attracted a crowd almost big enough to fill up the Ferguson Center Theater. Forty-five minutes before the screening was supposed to begin, there was already a line forming...

Campus film fest in full swing

Campus film fest in full swing

Ashley Chaffin February 6, 2011

Campus MovieFest returned to campus for the fourth time on Feb. 1 and saw the biggest turnout ever from Alabama students. More than one hundred teams picked up all the necessary equipment from the Ferguson...

Alabama author to discuss state history

Alabama author to discuss state history

Ashley Chaffin February 1, 2011

Alabama author Wayne Greenhaw will be on campus tonight to discuss his newest book, “Fighting the Devil in Dixie: How Civil Rights Activists Took on the Ku Klux Klan in Alabama.” The lecture will...

Alabama author to discuss state history

Ashley Chaffin February 1, 2011

Alabama author Wayne Greenhaw will be on campus tonight to discuss his newest book, “Fighting the Devil in Dixie: How Civil Rights Activists Took on the Ku Klux Klan in Alabama.” The lecture will...

Student film contest comes to UA

Ashley Chaffin January 30, 2011

In one week, campus MovieFest, the largest student film festival in the world, is coming to Alabama to give students a chance to make a five-minute movie. It is free to participate, and the program provides...

Simplicity key for FIVE

Simplicity key for FIVE

Ashley Chaffin January 23, 2011

While most Tuscaloosa residents were worrying about staying warm in the snow, Cris Eddings and Charles Morgan were concerned about their newest restaurant’s grand opening. Other places may have considered...

Sophomore publishes first book of poetry

Ashley Chaffin January 20, 2011

With a long list of on campus activities and two majors to keep up with, it may not sound like Erika Wade has much time to take a breath, let alone write a book. However, after her first book became available...

WVUA to air best albums of 2010

Ashley Chaffin November 30, 2010

The University radio station, WVUA 90.7, will take a break from its regular programming Thursday to count down the top 25 albums of 2010. Joshua Thomas, host of the usual Thursday night show “Get Folked...

Restaurants and bars prepare for Iron Bowl

Restaurants and bars prepare for Iron Bowl

Ashley Chaffin November 18, 2010

As most Alabama fans sit around a table enjoying their Thanksgiving dinners, businesses in Tuscaloosa will be preparing for the crowds that flood into Tuscaloosa every year for the Iron Bowl. With Auburn...

Rare Tennessee Williams play comes to UA

Ashley Chaffin November 15, 2010

Tennessee Williams put a little bit of everything into his play “The Rose Tattoo.” “It has sex, it has fights, it has love, it has drama and it has a goat,” said Amber Gibson, a sophomore majoring...

ARDT pushes bounds of dance

ARDT pushes bounds of dance

Ashley Chaffin November 4, 2010

Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre will dance its way back into Morgan Auditorium for its fall performance next Tuesday. Performances will be held Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and on Friday at 5:30...

Exotic food tasting samples world cultures

Ashley Chaffin October 27, 2010

Save a swipe on your meal plan or some Dining Dollars this afternoon and give yourself a taste of culture instead. The Critical Languages Center is hosting its annual Exotic Food Tasting Tour from 3 to...

UA alumni bring cinema to the radio

Ashley Chaffin October 20, 2010

People say the connections students make in college last a lifetime. Ben Flanagan and Corey Craft met while working in student media at the University of Alabama. Through this connection, Flanagan and...

Mugshots aims for mass appeal

Mugshots aims for mass appeal

Ashley Chaffin October 17, 2010

Downtown Tuscaloosa is home to a burger that would intimidate the hungriest of men. The Mugshot is stacked three patties high with all the trimmings, beer-battered fries, an onion ring and a pickle. Anyone...

Bowden creates his own fashion world in Tuscaloosa

Bowden creates his own fashion world in Tuscaloosa

Ashley Chaffin October 11, 2010

Inside one of the bedrooms in the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity house are business cards on the dresser, jewelry spread out across the bed, and bags of shoes lying on the floor. Randy Bowden looks over the...

WVUA launches ‘Smokestack’ comedy show

Ashley Chaffin September 29, 2010

In its heyday, radio was used for much more than listening to the latest singles on your way to work. Productions similar to what we now find on television were aired nightly, and families all over the...

"Screwtape" hits the Allen Bales Theatre

“Screwtape” hits the Allen Bales Theatre

Ashley Chaffin September 14, 2010

The classic tale of good versus evil will be played out in the UA department of theatre and dance’s first production of the 2010-2011 season. “Screwtape” is a play by James Forsyth that the cast...

Alabama Art Kitchen opens doors

Alabama Art Kitchen opens doors

Ashley Chaffin September 8, 2010

All things homemade will come together tonight at the grand opening of Tuscaloosa’s new art collective, the Alabama Art Kitchen. The event will take place from 6-9 p.m. with a gallery of work from all...

New comic explains astronomical discovery

Ashley Chaffin September 2, 2010

The comic book world is usually reserved for superheroes and dastardly villains. These fantasies tell of science projects gone awry, aliens coming to earth and vigilantism funded by family fortunes. However,...

Outdoor Rec plans rafting trip

Ashley Chaffin August 24, 2010

If you go What: Whitewater rafting trip Where: Down the Ocoee River in Tennessee When: Saturday Aug. 28 Cost: $45 for freshmen, $75 for other students Application Deadline: Friday Aug. 27 at 5 p.m....

Campus gallery showcases student art

Campus gallery showcases student art

Ashley Chaffin August 17, 2010

The University of Alabama Department of Art and Art History kicks off the school year with an art exhibit showcasing four new talents in the Studio Arts Program. The show, Incoming!, opens today in...

Guerrilla seniors say goodbye Saturday night

Ashley Chaffin April 28, 2010

Allen Bales Theatre will open its doors Saturday for the final Guerrilla Theatre of the year as members of Alpha Psi Omega and the audience say goodbye to departing seniors and next year’s hosts are...