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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 John Brinkerhoff

Holding on to hope amongst the chaos

John Brinkerhoff April 23, 2014

College has been chaotic. Over the last four years, I have studied four completely unrelated fields and engaged in pursuits unconnected to any of them. As with most other students, I grew, learned, made...

A modest proposal for student football seating

John Brinkerhoff March 20, 2014

Despite the fact that our football team has become a highly coordinated and (mostly) winning machine over the past few years, other aspects of the program are far less than ideal. Every year, major issues...

Students benefit from small-group housing facilities

John Brinkerhoff January 22, 2014

Next to the Ferguson Center expansion, perhaps the most visible representations of the Capstone’s continued growth and change are the new Presidential Village residence hall and recreation center under...

Bama Dining quality, variety improving

John Brinkerhoff November 14, 2013

After living on campus for four years, I have come to terms with certain realities: I am not able to drive often, I will be largely living among freshmen, and most importantly, I have to find food on or...

It’s time to change the damn state

John Brinkerhoff September 18, 2013

Perhaps one of the most courageous men in the history of this university is John L. Blackburn, the former dean of students for whom The University of Alabama’s Blackburn Institute is named. Firmly believing...

Lifting the burden of textbooks off students

John Brinkerhoff September 5, 2013

Recently, this page has raised questions about the rising costs of textbooks for students, the practices of the SUPeStore, and the ethics of textbook publishing companies. While these concerns are understandable,...

Columnists sound off on Syrian debate

John Brinkerhoff September 4, 2013

Last August, in response to increasingly oppressive measures by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to crack down on protests and international condemnation of those measures, President Obama drew a red line...

Opinion page a platform for all voices from every campus corner

John Brinkerhoff August 26, 2013

The University of Alabama is big. Very big. With hundreds of student organizations and tens of thousands of students, the Capstone provides seemingly limitless possibilities for forging a path through...

Honors College should require courses fostering community, civic engagement

John Brinkerhoff July 17, 2013

I have never been more proud to call myself a student of The University of Alabama than I was in the aftermath of the April 27, 2011, tornado. I witnessed an outpouring of support from all corners of campus...

Students should welcome University’s new reforms to campus mail system

John Brinkerhoff June 26, 2013

From libraries to the SUPe Store, most operations at The University of Alabama run smoothly and enhance the student experience with little inconvenience. Last year, the mail service on campus was a glaring...

Straight-ticket voting insults political system, allows for uninformed voting

John Brinkerhoff June 12, 2013

Shortly after Republicans crushed Democrats in the 2010 election to regain control of the Alabama State Legislature, their first goal was to pass a series of ethics bills that would, in part, create a...

Recognizing seniors who have made a difference at the Capstone

John Brinkerhoff April 22, 2013

The idea that college is “the journey of a lifetime” might be the single largest cliché employed by college recruiters. Still, there is some truth to that sentiment. Over the past three years, this...

The time has come for our state to free the booze

John Brinkerhoff April 9, 2013

Growing up in Birmingham, I have gotten used to Alabama being a bit behind the curve on many issues, such as racist language in its constitution and obesity rates. But I love my state in spite of its faults....

Student criticism at the Capstone must have a purpose

John Brinkerhoff March 18, 2013

Criticism is common at the Capstone, especially when it is directed at the UA administration. A visitor would not have to go far to find a student willing to speak out on perceived issues with parking,...

UA smoking ban debate founded on falsehoods

John Brinkerhoff February 26, 2013

It seems two of the most cited statistics in the smoking ban debate are the percentage of UA smokers climbs from 6 percent freshman year to 16 percent senior year, and 58 percent of students support...

Students discuss points against, merits of smoking ban at U of A

John Brinkerhoff February 21, 2013

Last week, the SGA Senate soundly rejected a resolution supporting a campuswide tobacco ban, sending a strong message to the administration against such measures. This message was belied by the Faculty...

Freshman Advisor position the right step forward for UA

John Brinkerhoff February 18, 2013

Some of my most memorable experiences in college occurred while living in Blount Hall my freshman year. Beyond the normal antics every student seems to share, I still distinctly remember the help I received...

It is time for fraternities to go formal

John Brinkerhoff February 12, 2013

(The following is part of  "A discussion on the future of fraternity rush at Alabama") One of the most visible products of The University of Alabama’s growth is the wave of freshmen girls that arrive...

The size of your greek house isn't what matters

The size of your greek house isn’t what matters

John Brinkerhoff January 28, 2013

Since I have been a student at Alabama, I have become accustomed to change and growth. Construction on campus has been constant, the student body has expanded dramatically and our football team has built...

It's time for a conversation about gun violence

It’s time for a conversation about gun violence

John Brinkerhoff January 15, 2013

Over the past month, the news has been dominated by discussions surrounding gun control. Several senseless, violent and horrific tragedies have pushed this issue to the forefront of our minds. The ensuing...

Why students don't care about Alabama football

Why students don’t care about Alabama football

John Brinkerhoff January 14, 2013

Anyone who grew up in Alabama or, for that matter, has spent a day in it, knows that Crimson Tide football is a huge point of pride for the state. It is easy to see why. We have a storied history of domination...

UA loses an icon in Thompson

John Brinkerhoff October 23, 2011

It does not take long for a new student to realize that UA is a campus built upon tradition. From football and gymnastics to homecoming and Tutwiler, it is obvious the University takes pride in these traditions...

We should all care about our student government

John Brinkerhoff October 10, 2011

I was a bit surprised when I read last week’s article, “Who cares about the Student Government Association, anyway?” which addressed The Crimson White’s coverage of allegations of corruption within...

Communication is key

John Brinkerhoff September 27, 2011

Last week, in a strange homage to the Reformation, Wesley Vaughn nailed his “22 Theses” to the already cluttered walls of the opinions page. In it, he essentially criticized the UA administration by...

Be pro choice with student housing

John Brinkerhoff August 29, 2011

It is no secret that the University of Alabama possesses an unwavering focus on recruitment and expanding enrollment, especially within the Honors College. Prospective honors students can expect individual...

Tornado shattered barrier between students, city

John Brinkerhoff June 8, 2011

While this campus seems to place a great deal of importance upon the idea of “unity” in the student body, a different division has largely been ignored: one between the student body and the city at...

Presidents should have to earn respect

John Brinkerhoff April 11, 2011

I was a bit perplexed when I read the article, “We should respect the presidency,” in last Thursday’s Crimson White. In it the author argued that, “over the years, the title of the American president...

Why can’t students clean their own rooms?

John Brinkerhoff March 27, 2011

Last Friday, I opened up the Crimson White expecting to find the same old tired debates on relevant issues such as parking, national politics, or, heaven forbid, campus unity. Imagine my surprise when...

Budget battle party driven

John Brinkerhoff February 21, 2011

In the early hours of Saturday morning, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill that would fund the government and cut sixty billion dollars from its budget. While its passage represents...

Cheerleaders deserve respect

John Brinkerhoff February 6, 2011

It has been more than a year since the Crimson Tide’s glorious national championship victory in Pasadena and I have yet to see the statue of Nick Saban delivered to its rightful place in front of Bryant-Denny....

Freshmen meal plan a waste

John Brinkerhoff January 21, 2011

At the end of last semester, while some students were frantically studying for finals and others were busy not caring, I and many other freshmen had a second challenge to overcome: using the remainder...

Sanity so last Congress

John Brinkerhoff January 11, 2011

Last Wednesday, Representative John Boehner from Ohio was elected to be the 61st Speaker of the House by the new, Republican-controlled, House of Representatives. After tearfully accepting the almost comically...

Cam or Scam, we shouldn’t give a damn

John Brinkerhoff November 21, 2010

One of the more curious phrases I have heard on campus over the past few weeks is “War Scam Eagle.” While not every Alabama fan considers this scandal the highlight of the season, the ones who do take...

Would you like a receipt with your apartment?

John Brinkerhoff November 8, 2010

I was walking down the Strip the last week and I realized just how much I appreciate it. It has Hungry Howie’s for cheap pizza, Surin for midnight sushi, and when I just have that urge to go buy an apartment,...

You wouldn’t elect a puppy killer, would you?

John Brinkerhoff October 24, 2010

If someone were to support turning rape victims away from hospitals, letting men beat their wives, or allowing repeat sex offenders to teach in elementary schools, then their mental stability would probably...

Drowning in a sea of chalk

John Brinkerhoff October 10, 2010

As I was walking out of Reese Phifer last week, I saw a large message on its steps written in chalk. It simply said, “JFY - Will you go to formal with me? - KCP.” I smiled, thinking to myself that...

Intraparty fighting will threaten Republicans

John Brinkerhoff September 26, 2010

The whole idea of the Tea Party movement seems a bit confusing. If taken alone the overwhelming frustration with status quo politics is easily understandable and completely rational. However, the approach...