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

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor

All content by Jessa Reid Bolling
Sponsored Content: How to navigate class with Adobe Creative Cloud

Sponsored Content: How to navigate class with Adobe Creative Cloud

Jessa Reid Bolling, News Editor August 12, 2020

COVID-19 continues to change classroom dynamics around the country. The University of Alabama is no exception. As multiple classes move online and students will be expected to do more work from home rather...

CW / Carly Farmer

UA System releases health and safety plan for fall return

Jessa Reid Bolling, News Editor June 11, 2020

The University of Alabama System has released a 22-page document outlining a proposed health and safety plan to reopen for the fall semester amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Comprehensive Health and...

CW / Joe Will Field

In a sea of Trump supporters, a small few stand in opposition

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor November 11, 2019
Though President Donald Trump was mostly greeted by a chorus of cheers when he attended the Alabama vs LSU game in Bryant-Denny Stadium, a few in the crowd voiced their opposition to his presence and his policies. 
CW / Sam Flowers

Faculty Senate proposes task force to change campus culture

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor September 19, 2019
Frustrations boiled over at the most recent University of Alabama Faculty Senate meeting as the members discussed how to respond to the resignation of former Dean of Students Jamie Riley.
CW/ Joe Will Field

Emails show candidate was offered, quickly terminated from OSM director position

Emails obtained by The Crimson White through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request confirm that Bob Davis was offered and accepted the position of Director of the Office of Student Media at The University of Alabama, but was terminated five days later.
Breaking News

UPDATE: Davis no longer a candidate for OSM director, questions remain regarding hiring process

The Crimson White received confirmation on Friday from Monica Watts, Associate Vice President of Communications at the University of Alabama, that Bob Davis is no longer a candidate for the Director of the Office of Student Media position.

UA parking permit rates will not increase 

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor  July 22, 2019
Vice President of Financial Affairs Matt Fajack announced earlier this month that the rates for parking permits will not rise for the upcoming academic year.  Fajack said that the rates would remain unchanged as the University is still in the beginning stages of a formal master five-year plan for Transportation Services. 
UA alumni react to OSM controversy

UA alumni react to OSM controversy

Former UA students are expressing their concern about a candidate for the Office of Student Media director position after allegations surfaced that he censored an unfolding story about sexual assault on his former newspaper’s staff. And, in an effort of clarification, an employee from The Anniston Star has also come forward to further iron out the narrative surrounding allegations of Davis’ involvement in covering up a story about sexual assault in 2017. 
Breaking News

Ethical concerns surround candidate for Student Media director position

A question of ethics surrounds a candidate for the Office of Student Media director position after allegations surfaced that he censored an unfolding story about sexual assault on his former newspaper’s staff. 
Protesters pressure Carbon Hill mayor to resign

Protesters pressure Carbon Hill mayor to resign

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor July 10, 2019
About a dozen protesters wore all black and marched to the lawn across from city hall, where they all then laid on the ground motionless to mimic dead bodies, a form of protest called a “die in,” in an effort to pressure Carbon Hill Mayor Mark Chambers to resign. 
PREVIEW: Locals organize march against Carbon Hill mayor’s homophobic comments 

PREVIEW: Locals organize march against Carbon Hill mayor’s homophobic comments 

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor July 5, 2019

WHO: Open to all participants WHAT: “March on Carbon Hill”  WHEN: July 8, The march will begin at 6 p.m. and the town hall meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m., a carpool will be available from Canterbury...

A curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. will be enforced for Tuscaloosa children under 18 years old.

Tuscaloosa reinforces juvenile curfew following several shootings

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor June 21, 2019

Amid a series of violent crimes involving teenage victims and teenage suspects, the city of Tuscaloosa is reimplementing a curfew law aimed at reducing violence in the city. Tuscaloosa has seen multiple...

Betty Duncan Wells was in high school when the civil rights movement began to unfold in Tuscaloosa.

Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Trail unveiled

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor June 11, 2019

Betty Duncan Wells was only a ninth grader in 1964. But even though she was so young, she was very aware of the racial tension of that time. Wells would often accompany her father, David Duncan Sr.,...

Hugh Culverhouse, Jr. pledged $25 million to the University last year.

In wake of abortion ban, top donor tells students to boycott University

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor May 29, 2019

The University of Alabama System chancellor has recommended trustees return the largest financial gift in the University's history and strip the Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. name from its law school over what...

UAPD alerts students about arrest of fake Uber driver

UAPD alerts students about arrest of fake Uber driver

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor March 4, 2019
The University of Alabama Police Department said in an email to students today that a man is being questioned after falsely portraying an Uber driver.
Q&A with Brooks Payne, vice president of external affairs candidate

Q&A with Brooks Payne, vice president of external affairs candidate

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor March 4, 2019

Q: Year, major, hometown: A: Sophomore, communications studies, Enterprise, Alabama Q: How did you originally get involved with SGA? Or if you’re not currently involved, what made you want to...

Q&A with Demarcus Joiner, vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion candidate

Q&A with Demarcus Joiner, vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion candidate

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor March 4, 2019

Q: Year, major, hometown: A: Sophomore, civil engineering with a concentration in pre-law, Roanoke, Alabama Q: How did you originally get involved with SGA? Or if you’re not currently involved,...

Photo courtesy of Saige Rozanc-Petski

Saige Rozanc-Petski named next editor-in-chief of Alice Magazine

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor February 28, 2019
The Media Planning Board has named Saige Rozanc-Petski as editor-in-chief of Alice Magazine for the 2019-2020 school year.
CW/ Hannah Saad

Hallowed Grounds displays history of slavery

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor February 21, 2019
A UA professor created a walking tour to commemorate the lives of enslaved people owned by The University of Alabama in the 1800s and to educate visitors on the University’s racial past.
Photo Courtesy of Za'Niyah Williams

Transgender pageant contestant resists hate

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor February 11, 2019
After becoming the first transgender beauty pageant contestant in the Tuscaloosa County High School Beauty Walk, Za’Niyah Williams is now looking toward a future where schools are a more inclusive place for LGBTQ students.
Photo courtesy of Anne Smith Reeves

Students capitalize on self-employment opportunities

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor January 24, 2019
As a way to generate some extra income, some students have created their own self-employment opportunities stemming from their best ideas or skills. Here are some ways seniors have made work for themselves on the side during their time at the University:

Alabama fan dead after bar fight with LSU fans

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant New Editor November 8, 2018
A University of Alabama football fan died on Tuesday from injuries sustained in a bar fight with two Louisiana State University fans.

Former UA student charged with providing support for al-Qaeda

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor November 4, 2018
A former student at The University of Alabama accused of providing support to terrorist organization al-Qaeda was indicted by a federal grand jury in Birmingham.
CW/ Scarlet VanMeter

Seat in stadium honors POW, MIA soldiers

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor November 1, 2018
A seat has been installed to honor prisoners of war (POWs) and missing in action (MIA) soldiers as part of the National Chair of Honor program.
CW File

UPDATE: Instructor no longer works at University after CBS sexual harassment report

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor October 22, 2018
The University of Alabama has placed Stephen Black, founder of an AmeriCorps program and instructor at the University, on administrative leave after he reportedly admitted to sending inappropriate text messages to an AmeriCorps member.

UAPD reports robbery outside Rounders bar

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor October 15, 2018
University of Alabama students received an email around 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning informing them of a reported off-campus robbery.
CW/ Jake Arthur

Black Lives Matter co-founder speaks to students

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor October 9, 2018
Students packed into the Ferguson Center Theater Thursday night to hear Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors speak about changing politics through activism.
CW/ Kendell Wilson

Q&A with Kendell Wilson, homecoming queen candidate

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor October 8, 2018
Homecoming queen candidate, Kendell Wilson, discusses her platform and motivations.
Photo courtesy of the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center

Racial equity study gives the University an ‘F’

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor October 8, 2018
A study on racial equity gave The University of Alabama a grade of F based on the number of black undergraduate students enrolled at the University.
CW File

Law School to change name following record-breaking donation

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor September 21, 2018
The University of Alabama School of Law will be renamed the Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. School of Law in recognition of Culverhouse’s historic $26.5 million donation.
CW/ Alexandra Link

UA graduates start LGBTQ Alumni Association

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor September 20, 2018
After hearing his friends talking about their university’s LGBTQ+ alumni groups, Will Thomas wondered why his alma mater, The University of Alabama, did not have one. So, he decided to change that.
Members of the UA community came together and marched through Tuscaloosa in honor of Rondini in September 2017. CW/ Emma Junck

Sexual assault bill named in honor of Megan Rondini

Jessa Reid Bolling, Assistant News Editor August 20, 2018
A Texas congressman has introduced legislation to provide support to sexual assault victims named in honor of Megan Rondini, a former student at The University of Alabama who died by suicide after she was allegedly raped by a member of a prominent family in Tuscaloosa.

UA student advocacy groups on the rise

Jessa Reid Bolling April 26, 2018

College campuses have become a place for students to find like-minded people to work alongside and raise awareness surrounding certain issues, from as far back as the Civil Rights movement and opposing...

Global medical brigade travels world, serves communities

Global medical brigade travels world, serves communities

Jessa Reid Bolling March 8, 2018

The University of Alabama chapter of Global Medical Brigade takes students across the world to work with licensed medical professionals and community workers to provide health services in rural communities...

Q&A: vice president of student affairs candidate Clay Martinson

Q&A: vice president of student affairs candidate Clay Martinson

Jessa Reid Bolling March 5, 2018

Clay Martinson is a sophomore majoring in history from Huntsville, Alabama and he is running unopposed for vice president of student affairs.  Q: How did you originally get involved with SGA? A: When...

Q&A: executive secretary candidate Claudia Hogan

Q&A: executive secretary candidate Claudia Hogan

Jessa Reid Bolling March 5, 2018

Claudia Hogan is a junior majoring in public relations and political science from Gadsden, Alabama running for executive secretary.  Q: How did you originally get involved with SGA? A: I kind of started...

LGBTQ  community struggles with institutional, societal sexual stereotypes

LGBTQ community struggles with institutional, societal sexual stereotypes

Jessa Reid Bolling February 22, 2018

Names have been changed for the privacy and protection of sources. As more states and the federal government have given legal status to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community...

Intercultural Diversity Center hosts #WokeShop to create dialogue among students

Intercultural Diversity Center hosts #WokeShop to create dialogue among students

Jessa Reid Bolling February 21, 2018

Who: UA Intercultural Diversity Center What: “#WokeShop” is a new program launched by the Intercultural Diversity Center to last throughout African American History Month. This includes a series of...

UA honors society applications close this weekend

UA honors society applications close this weekend

Jessa Reid Bolling February 9, 2018

What: The deadline for applying to one of The University of Alabama’s Honor Societies is at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11.  Who: The 2018 participating organizations include the Anderson Society, Blue...

Doug Jones' budget vote gets mixed reactions among Democrats

Doug Jones’ budget vote gets mixed reactions among Democrats

Jessa Reid Bolling February 6, 2018

Two weeks after Alabama Sen. Doug Jones (D) voted with House Republicans on a short-term spending bill, he still has to walk a bipartisan line since the bill expires this Thursday, putting the government...

UA professor leads students, mapping mountains with rocks

UA professor leads students, mapping mountains with rocks

Jessa Reid Bolling February 1, 2018

Before she became a UA professor leading students on geology excursions in the Himalayan Mountains, Delores Robinson was a young girl in West Virginia, roaming the hills and exploring the caves that formed...

ACTION group lowers non-emergency medical costs

ACTION group lowers non-emergency medical costs

Jessa Reid Bolling January 30, 2018

The University of Alabama’s University Medical Center has teamed up with Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service to create a program that provides services to low-emergency 911 calls in Tuscaloosa and helps...

Students rally against labels, stereotypes

Students rally against labels, stereotypes

Jessa Reid Bolling January 29, 2018

In response to multiple racist incidents that have occurred on campus in recent years, students gathered in the Ferguson Center lobby Friday in an effort to combat stereotyping among students and promote...

SGA President Jared Hunter resigns

SGA President Jared Hunter resigns

Jessa Reid Bolling January 22, 2018

Jared Hunter, president of the SGA at The University of Alabama, has formally submitted his resignation as of 2:30 p.m. Monday afternoon. His resignation comes after he was arrested early Sunday morning...

UA student under investigation after using racial slurs on social media

UA student under investigation after using racial slurs on social media

Jessa Reid Bolling January 16, 2018

Another student at The University of Alabama is facing disciplinary action after using racial slurs on her social media. Harley Barber, a New Jersey native and a self-declared Alpha Phi member, was reported...

Some professors, students think Doug Jones winning election will improve Alabama's image

Some professors, students think Doug Jones winning election will improve Alabama’s image

Jessa Reid Bolling December 14, 2017

After Doug Jones claimed victory by 1.5 points in the Alabama senate election on Tuesday night, people across the country were baffled by how a Democratic candidate could win a statewide election in such...

New Alabama voting laws could impact Senate race

New Alabama voting laws could impact Senate race

Jessa Reid Bolling December 8, 2017

In 2001, after completing a sentence of 14 years in prison on drug related charges, Pastor Kenneth Glasgow of Dothan, Alabama was eager to be part of society again, only to learn that he was unable to...

Tuscaloosa veteran runs as write-in candidate for Senate

Tuscaloosa veteran runs as write-in candidate for Senate

Jessa Reid Bolling December 8, 2017

A Tuscaloosa veteran is giving voters another choice for Senate at the polls on Tuesday. Lee Busby, 60-year-old retired colonel, is running as an independent candidate and spreading word about his candidacy...

GoFundMe raises over $10,000 for transgender student’s tuition

GoFundMe raises over $10,000 for transgender student’s tuition

Jessa Reid Bolling December 4, 2017

A transgender student at The University of Alabama found overnight online fame and support after starting a GoFundMe to raise tuition funds after losing the financial support of his parents. After recently...

University student misdiagnosed with AVM

University student misdiagnosed with AVM

Jessa Reid Bolling November 30, 2017

The University of Alabama tragically lost one of its students last month. Alli Brodie, an 18-year-old freshman, was hit in the head with a soccer ball, which triggered a brain bleed. Following the loss,...

Trump Nominates UA Alum for Federal Bench amid Controversy

Trump Nominates UA Alum for Federal Bench amid Controversy

Jessa Reid Bolling November 29, 2017

University of Alabama alumnus Brett Talley was nominated by President Donald Trump for a seat as judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, left vacant by Mark Fuller. ...

Federal grant to fight human trafficking awarded to School of Social Work

Jessa Reid Bolling November 2, 2017

There are an estimated 20 million slaves in the world today, according to the International Labour Organization. Of those 20 million, about half are children, forced into a life of abuse, hard labor or...

Community gathers for human trafficking forum

Community gathers for human trafficking forum

Jessa Reid Bolling October 19, 2017

Nearly three months after Tuscaloosa Police conducted an investigation that led to 33 arrests in a prostitution bust, Tuscaloosa Police held a forum on human trafficking at Central High School Thursday...

LGBTQ Alabamians struggle to adopt children

LGBTQ Alabamians struggle to adopt children

Jessa Reid Bolling October 12, 2017

By Jessa Reid Bolling | Staff Reporter After her son was born with a life-threatening illness, never missing one of his doctor’s appointments, staying by his hospital bed, willing his tiny heart to keep...

Santorum discusses religious freedom with students

Santorum discusses religious freedom with students

Jessa Reid Bolling October 11, 2017

Students packed into a ten Hoor lecture hall Monday night to hear former senator and former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum discuss the future of religious liberty in the United States....

Rick Santorum to discuss religious freedom with students

Rick Santorum to discuss religious freedom with students

Jessa Reid Bolling October 6, 2017

What: Rick Santorum will deliver a speech about religious freedom within the United States in the current state of politics. Following the speech, entitled “God Is A Microaggression: An Evening With...

Students to fund and build Habitat home for tornado victim

Students to fund and build Habitat home for tornado victim

Jessa Reid Bolling October 5, 2017

After the April 27, 2011 tornado tore through Tuscaloosa, the damaged buildings and homes became a sea of blue tarps, trying to protect what remained of the many homes that were in the tornado’s path....

US State Department representative to discuss work opportunities with students

US State Department representative to discuss work opportunities with students

Jessa Reid Bolling October 5, 2017

What: U.S. State Department Information Session This session will expose students to information about internship and career opportunities in the U.S. State Department Who: Vallera Gibson, a Foreign Service...

Speaker discusses North Korea, threat of nuclear war

Speaker discusses North Korea, threat of nuclear war

Jessa Reid Bolling September 20, 2017

A senior fellow at the Cato Institute and former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan, spoke to students about  U.S. foreign policy with North Korea and the threat of nuclear weapons on Tuesday...

Autherine Lucy Foster's legacy honored with historical marker

Autherine Lucy Foster’s legacy honored with historical marker

Jessa Reid Bolling and Rebecca Griesbach September 18, 2017

Autherine Lucy Foster ended her third day of school in the annex of Graves Hall, where she was holed up for two hours before being escorted, face-down in a patrol car, to the safety of a nearby barbershop. Outside,...

Preview: West Alabama Clinic Defenders Training Session

Preview: West Alabama Clinic Defenders Training Session

Jessa Reid Bolling September 13, 2017

WHO: WHAT: A training session for volunteers of the organization. WHEN: Thursday from 6:00-7:30 p.m. WHY: The West Alabama Clinic Defenders is an organization dedicated to protecting access to reproductive...

Have Courage, Be Kind: Memorial for Megan Rondini

Have Courage, Be Kind: Memorial for Megan Rondini

Jessa Reid Bolling September 11, 2017

A University of Alabama student passed away in 2016, and members of the UA community are still seeking justice in her death and honoring her memory.  Megan Rondini, a 20 year-old University of Alabama...

Explore Better Together connects students of different faiths

Explore Better Together connects students of different faiths

Jessa Reid Bolling August 30, 2017

UA Crossroads and UA Better Together hosted a discussion to connect students with various religious and secular beliefs on Tuesday night in the Ferguson Center Great Hall.  The event, called Explore Better...

Kudzu Coalition holds fundraiser and talk on social issues

Kudzu Coalition holds fundraiser and talk on social issues

Jessa Reid Bolling July 24, 2017

The Kudzu Coalition of West Alabama and the 10-4 Corporation hosted a dinner at Jason’s Deli last night to discuss topics such as education reform and race relations. La-Kisha Emmanuel, a Stillman graduate...

Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox exploring run for governor

Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox exploring run for governor

Jessa Reid Bolling July 14, 2017

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox has formed a political committee to explore the possibility of a campaign for Governor of Alabama next year. Maddox’s announcement said after Alabama has lost a governor,...