Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White


Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

All content by Our View

Our View: Silence not an option

Our View April 3, 2014

It is no secret that the University of Alabama Student Goverment Association is an organization largely limited to completing projects. It has shied away from truly taking a stand on any remotely controversial...

Our View: Hamilton Bloom for President

Our View March 11, 2014

Editor's Note: The Crimson White Editorial Board wrote an introduction to all SGA candidate endorsements. Read the introduction here. For the position of President, the Editorial Board endorses Hamilton...

Our View: Elliot Spillers for Student Affairs

Our View: Elliot Spillers for Student Affairs

Our View March 11, 2014

Editor's Note: The Crimson White Editorial Board wrote an introduction to all SGA candidate endorsements. Read the introduction here. For the position of Vice President for Student Affairs, the Editorial...

Our View: Laura Gregory for Academic Affairs

Our View: Laura Gregory for Academic Affairs

Our View March 11, 2014

Editor's Note: The Crimson White Editorial Board wrote an introduction to all SGA candidate endorsements. Read the introduction here. For the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Editorial...

Our View: Unopposed candidates will still meet responsibilities for students

Our View March 11, 2014

Editor's Note: The Crimson White Editorial Board wrote an introduction to all SGA candidate endorsements. Read the introduction here. In this year’s SGA election, three candidates ran unopposed for...

Our View: Leadership a needed change

Our View March 11, 2014

Change has occurred over the past year. Traditionally white sororities were integrated due to national scrutiny following The Crimson White’s article “The Final Barrier.” Campus echoed with chimes...

Our View: Ricketts, Patterson both present sharp contrast

Our View March 11, 2014

Editor's Note: The Crimson White Editorial Board wrote an introduction to all SGA candidate endorsements. Read the introduction here. For the position of Executive Secretary, the Editorial Board does...

Our View: Transparency is necessary

Our View February 24, 2014

Over the past several years, The University of Alabama has lost sight of the importance of a marketplace of ideas. The University’s actions against both the Alabama Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive...

OUR VIEW: University’s responses inconsistent

Our View February 10, 2014

Over the past two weeks, students have seen two extremes of The University of Alabama’s weather preparedness. When a snowstorm hit Alabama Jan. 28, the Capstone, as well the majority of the state, was...

OURVIEW: What now?

Our View December 5, 2013

Today marks the last edition of The Crimson White during the year of the 50th anniversary of Stand in the Schoolhouse Door. Fifty years ago, The University of Alabama accepted its first black students....

[OUR VIEW] Hearsay has no place in larger issue

Our View November 4, 2013

A group of 15 alumnae of The University of Alabama Psi chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta Women’s Fraternity signed an emailed letter dated Oct. 11. The letter outlined their reasoning to believe the sorority’s...

[OUR VIEW] The time is now

Our View September 16, 2013

History has a strange way of repeating itself. In a year of nationally covered racial embarrassments within The University of Alabama greek system, including the use of blackface for swaps, the UA unveiled...

[OUR VIEW] Anonymous, but not alone

Our View September 11, 2013

Occasionally, The Crimson White Editorial Board makes the difficult decision to rely on anonymous sources. In today’s Crimson White, there is an in-depth story regarding the segregation that still exists...

[OUR VIEW] UA should not remain silent on election allegations

Our View September 4, 2013

From claims of 10 University of Alabama students registering to vote from a single residence, to promises of limo rides, free drinks and no cover charge at two bars in exchange for voting, Tuscaloosa’s...

Our View: Cautious, yet ready

Our View May 29, 2013

In a press conference in Mobile, Ala., on May 23 amid circulating rumors, U.S. Rep. Josiah “Jo” Bonner, R-Ala., announced his decision to step down from his congressional duties to assume the newly...

Our View: Bama Students for Life should examine the language they use

Our View April 10, 2013

The editorial board of The Crimson White cannot, and may not ever, agree as a group on the issue of abortion. Our members have fundamentally different views on the issue. But last night we had a discussion...

New SGA executives need to focus on change

Our View March 11, 2013

Six of the seven positions on the Executive Council of the Student Governor Association have candidates running unopposed in this year’s SGA elections. Unless a write-in candidate receives more votes...

Our View: Permit policy needs review

Our View February 20, 2013

Monday’s attempt to play into the Harlem Shake meme by filming a video on the Quad may have been several days late. The lifespan of a meme is not long. Perhaps this one was already close to being played...

OUR VIEW: Blaming CW skirts real issue

Our View February 11, 2013

When several people took issue with a controversial quote by a Student Health Center official in the Feb. 4 Crimson White article “Consent a concern on campus,” at least one person took his case to...

Our View: Anonymity used to keep sources safe

Our View October 16, 2012

Occasionally there comes a time when an editorial board of a media outlet must make the difficult choice to rely on anonymous sources. Today, we have made that decision. In today’s Crimson White, you...

OUR VIEW: Vigilance required for safety

Our View October 15, 2012

On Sept. 16, an anonymous author claiming to represent a group of parents of freshman UA students sent University administrators an email alleging excessive alcohol consumption in greek organizations on...

OUR VIEW: Despite concerns, Guy Bailey could serve UA well

Our View July 11, 2012

  The search for a new University of Alabama president created an opportunity for change that eluded the University under the leadership of Robert Witt. Even as the University grew and prospered in...

Our View: Committee itself must center on students

Our View June 13, 2012

The presidential search committee currently seeking a replacement for Robert Witt, former University of Alabama president and current UA chancellor, seems to be moving in the right direction, but may soon...

OUR VIEW: Meh

Our View March 30, 2012

The campus of the University of Alabama is rife with divisions. We divide ourselves based on race — from our fraternities and sororities to the tables in the dining halls; we split along the lines of...

Our View: Wide range of student opinions must be heard in president search

Our View March 8, 2012

“Apathetic” is a word thrown around regularly to describe UA students, and indeed, young Americans in 2012. We are, allegedly, a generation bloated with self-absorption and lacking in attention span,...

Our View: Wilson for SGA president

Our View March 6, 2012

The past year for the Student Government Association has been one highlighted with corruption, leading to seven SGA officials, including the president, resigning. In determining the candidate most deserving...

Our View: Zimmerman for vice president for External Affairs

Our View: Zimmerman for vice president for External Affairs

Our View March 5, 2012

For the position of vice president for External Affairs, the editorial board endorses Kyle Zimmerman. His goals were extensive and detailed, and many have already left the planning stages, entering the...

Our View: Smith for vice president for Financial Affairs

Our View: Smith for vice president for Financial Affairs

Our View March 5, 2012

The position of vice president for Financial Affairs presents two strong and experienced candidates in Christian Smith and Andy Koonce. The editorial board endorses Christian Smith because of his current...

Our View: Collins for vice president for Academic Affairs

Our View: Collins for vice president for Academic Affairs

Our View March 5, 2012

For the position of vice president for Academic Affairs, the editorial board endorses A. J. Collins because of his applicable experience and planned initiatives for UA Academic Affairs. His plans to expand...

Our View: Chandler Wright for vice president for Student Affairs

Our View: Chandler Wright for vice president for Student Affairs

Our View March 5, 2012

For the position of vice president for Student Affairs, the editorial board is endorsing Chandler Wright. Ultimately, the choice for Wright is based on her plan to transition the Office of Student Affairs...

Our View: Clark for executive vice president

Our View: Clark for executive vice president

Our View March 5, 2012

For the position of executive vice president, the editorial board endorses Alex Clark. She understands the “chief of staff” role now required of the executive vice president in the new SGA constitution,...

Our View: Candidates should be open about the Machine

Our View February 9, 2012

Yesterday, The Crimson White released the names of the candidates being backed by the Machine for Student Government Association executive positions. Among these candidates were members of Alpha Tau Omega,...

OUR VIEW: Witt should join in the Machine conversation

Our View December 5, 2011

Last week, UA Trustee Finis St. John said, when it comes to the administration’s role in addressing the Machine and its influence on campus, he “trust[s] Dr. Witt and his team to deal with those issues.”...

OUR VIEW: Machine must disclose spending

Our View November 29, 2011

Like most political parties, the Machine raises money to fund its candidates’ campaigns. Unlike Democrats and Republicans, though, that money doesn’t come from donors with full knowledge of where...

OUR VIEW: Wilson right to speak out about Machine

Our View November 22, 2011

Last week, SGA Vice President for Student Affairs David Wilson became the first Machine-backed SGA official to publicly acknowledge the organization’s existence in nearly six years. In doing so, he showed...

SGA must be open regarding Cochran resignation

Our View October 4, 2011

“Transparency” has become a buzzword in the Student Government Association in the last two years. We’ve seen a revolving door of presidents and cabinet members preach the importance of openness in...

Our View: Witt, UA cannot defend systemic segregation

Our View September 19, 2011

As students of The University of Alabama, we were both saddened and embarrassed last week when President Witt defended segregation in the greek community. “It is appropriate that all our sororities...

City takes a step forward

Our View September 8, 2011

The Tuscaloosa Forward plan approved by the city council Tuesday provides a good framework for rebuilding the areas devastated by the April 27 tornado. The entire city will benefit from the revitalization...

Objective criteria key for seating

Our View September 1, 2011

  When students bought their tickets for this fall’s football season, each one paid $5. They all applied through the same process and got their tickets in order of credit hours.  Determining who gets...

Our View: Block seating needs reform

Our View August 30, 2011

Saturday, students will fill their part of Bryant-Denny Stadium and cheer on the Crimson Tide as it faces Kent State. Most students will find their seats as they get there, hoping to spot enough seats...

We all have a responsibility to help Tuscaloosa

Our View June 1, 2011

Students returning for summer classes this week will find a community still very much in need of their service and support. Over a month after a tornado ravaged much of Tuscaloosa, it is important that...

Block seating must go

Our View April 22, 2011

When student organization seating was opened to a variety of new organizations last year, we were initially optimistic that those reforms would lead to a less divisive student section on game day. While...

Fowler presidency fulfills its promises

Our View April 5, 2011

Last year, after James Fowler was inaugurated as Student Government Association president, The Crimson White wrote that, during his campaign, “a typical Fowler sentence included a noun, a verb and ‘transparency.’”...

Left out from their rights

Our View April 1, 2011

The following piece is satirical in nature and not meant to be taken seriously. In case you couldn't figure that out. Statistics recently released by the Left-Handed Student Association show that there...

Election guidelines should be revised

Our View March 30, 2011

In a memorandum sent to Dr. Mark Nelson, University of Alabama Vice President for Student Affairs, SGA president James Fowler has recommended a series of revisions to student government elections policies....

OUR VIEW: HCA a great facilitator for Honors College

Our View March 27, 2011

With Honors College students set to elect an Honors College Assembly president Tuesday and Wednesday, it is important to recognize the hard work and accomplishments of this year’s HCA. The HCA was created...

Candidates have different ideals

Our View March 7, 2011

When students vote for SGA president tomorrow, they will not just pick a person. They will pick an idea. Both Grant Cochran and Nancy Hogan have great strengths and talents, but their qualifications are...

Unopposed candidates deserve support

Our View March 3, 2011

While we regret the number of unopposed candidates in this year’s SGA elections, in interviews with the editorial board, they have all exhibited the potential to be competent SGA leaders for the following...

Honors college diversity lagging

Our View February 24, 2011

Since its establishment in 2003, the Honors College has become home to many of the University’s brightest students and most engaging activities. It is now a central part of student life and a valued...

Say yes to Sunday alcohol sales

Our View February 21, 2011

Tomorrow, residents of Tuscaloosa will have the ability to vote on legalizing Sunday alcohol sales. In preparation, many students have registered to vote in Tuscaloosa. We encourage them to go to the polls...

University plagued by racial intolerance

Our View February 10, 2011

Last Saturday, President Witt emailed the entire student body to condemn a student for using a racial slur towards another UA student. President Witt’s email brought the incident to light and made it...

OUR VIEW: Constitution should be approved

Our View January 30, 2011

Tomorrow, students will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed SGA constitution. We understand many students may not feel the need to vote on this document. It is simply hard to get people excited...

Gubernatorial candidates are hugely disappointing

Our View October 27, 2010

For an election year that has generated enormous excitement and energy nationwide, the state of our own gubernatorial race is disappointing. Neither Republican candidate Robert Bentley nor Democratic candidate...

Our View: Dining Dollars in need of reform

Our View August 26, 2010

In short: “Even though the Dining Dollars lawsuit may be frivolous, it is time for the University to seriously consider new options for campus food services.” Three class action lawsuits filed against...

Bradley Byrne worthy of GOP nod

Our View July 8, 2010

Bradley Byrne’s ambitious vision for the state of Alabama makes him the best choice for Republican voters selecting their nominee for governor in the runoff election next Tuesday. For too long, politics...

Our View: Kagan qualified for high court

Our View July 1, 2010

During three days of intense questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, Elena Kagan, President Obama’s nominee to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, has demonstrated...

Our View: Communication important to football ticket process

Our View April 28, 2010

In short: The new changes to the student football ticket system are a drastic improvement. The new system for purchasing student football tickets, unveiled by the University and the Student Government...

Our View: Johnson a valid candidate

Our View April 26, 2010

In short: While Bill Johnson may not have the strongest campaign for governor, his presence in the race has contributed to an energetic debate. With six candidates competing to become the Republican nominee...

Our View: Parade cancellation a sign of progress

Our View April 22, 2010

In short: Kappa Alpha’s decision to cancel its annual Old South parade is a sign that the University is making progress with race relations. Heritage and history are very important at the University...

Our View: Open records should have easy access

Our View April 21, 2010

In short: Indefinite deadlines for acquiring public records in Alabama make records effectively no longer public. Alabama’s public records laws are silent on the timeframe allotted to respond to open...

Our View: Green Week about cycling and recycling

Our View April 20, 2010

In short: A week dedicated to environmentalism has plenty to offer those who don’t actively seek out “green” activities. Environmentalism is, to some people, a fringe issue. It is about cap-and-trade...

Our View: Legislature needs to take action

Our View April 18, 2010

In short: With only three days left in this legislative session, the time for political infighting is over. It’s time to do something. The Alabama Legislature has spent its past session passing the...

Our View: Get pumped for A-Day

Our View April 15, 2010

In short: A-Day is football in April. What more can you ask for? Spring Saturdays in Tuscaloosa can be boring. Without football, students are more likely to go home for weekends and set their school spirit...

Our View: Put the cigarettes down

Our View April 14, 2010

In short: The University’s initiative to get students to stop smoking would create an obvious improvement in student health and wellness. It’s been two weeks since the UA Office of Health Promotion...

Our View: GOP shouldn’t play games

Our View April 13, 2010

In short: Americans deserve a fair debate about Justice Stevens’ replacement, not a childish political fight. It’s almost become a cliché, but one of the most important and lasting impacts a president...

Our View: Talk about football tickets

Our View April 11, 2010

In short: Students need to know why it has been taking so long to get information about football tickets. On rolltide.com’s page about 2010 football tickets, there is a link to a page about student...

Our View: Honors Day about praising success

Our View April 8, 2010

In short: More than just a day off from classes, Honors Day is a great way to recognize the successes of Alabama students. To many UA students, today is pretty much Saturday come a day early. A Friday...

Our View: New SGA should learn from mistakes

Our View April 8, 2010

In short: The mistakes of the 2009-10 SGA administration should provide lessons for the new administration to learn from. This past year hasn’t been the easiest for the UA Student Government Association....

Our View: James wrong on education

Our View April 6, 2010

In short: While Tim James has run his entire campaign for governor on being a political outsider, his lack of knowledge on key political issues shows that he is too far outside. The race for Alabama’s...

Our View: King should open up

Our View April 4, 2010

In short: Attorney General Troy King should prioritize talking to voters, including students, over fundraisers. Thursday night, three candidates for Alabama’s attorney general debated the issues that...

Our View: FBI right to question bingo vote

Our View April 1, 2010

In short: An FBI investigation into the Alabama Legislature is not a scare tactic. It’s a service to the state. The FBI is launching an investigation into possible corruption surrounding a recent vote...

Our View: Loan reform a stimulus for students

Our View March 31, 2010

In short: Recent reforms to student loan policies will make college more affordable and make student loans less predatory. Student loans can be a risky thing. If you don’t qualify for federal loans...

Our View: Catholic Church needs accountability

Our View March 30, 2010

In short: The Church needs to crack down on scandals and abuses if it wants to be seen as a moral compass. The Catholic Church has a reputation of fighting for morality and the greater good, but it is...

Our View: State leaders should set example for transparency

Our View March 28, 2010

In short: State legislators are using secretive tactics to hide their behavior, and it sets a bad example for future leaders. It’s no wonder local leaders from Larry Langford to our SGA often face claims...

Our View: PACT shortfall is state’s problem

Our View March 25, 2010

In short: The state should fully fund PACT, or it is robbing parents of their investments and students of their opportunities. As it stands right now, many Alabama parents will have to pay out of pocket...

Our View: NCAA sanctions excessive

Our View March 24, 2010

In short: The NCAA’s ruling that Alabama will vacate wins in football, track and men’s tennis is excessive and inconsistent. Alabama athletes stopped abusing their textbook scholarships in 2007. The...

Dissent: Not the right fix for health care

Our View March 23, 2010

The Constitution guarantees a number of rights. A manageable co-pay is not among them. Our health care system is flawed. The way to fix it, though, is not by mandating care for all. The best solution...

Our View: Health care reform will help

Our View March 23, 2010

In short: While far from perfect, the recent health care reforms will improve a system that is currently beyond broken. In the pilot episode of Morgan Spurlock’s TV show “30 Days,” the man who brought...

Our View: Let people decide bingo issue

Our View March 21, 2010

In short: The issue of legalizing bingo in Alabama should be decided by voters. In an editorial in Sunday’s Tuscaloosa News, state Sen. Roger Bedford, R-Russellville, proposed putting what he described...

Our View: Elections tame, but apathy still reigns

Our View March 10, 2010

In short: While this year’s SGA elections lacked the improprieties and controversy of last year’s, it also lacked the enthusiasm. At Monday night’s SGA presidential debate, only once were the candidates...

Our View: For president, no one stands out

Our View March 8, 2010

In short: Neither candidate has a clear advantage over the other, yet the differences between them are distinct. James Fowler and Matthew Brown are vastly different candidates. Fowler has spent significant...

Our View: Miriam Fry for Academic Affairs

Our View March 5, 2010

In short: Miriam Fry has the drive, experience and vision to be a successful VP for Academic Affairs. When one candidate was selected as senator of the year by her peers, the decision is not too difficult....

Our View: The unopposed candidates

Our View March 4, 2010

In short: Some unopposed candidates have impressive plans, others raise more questions. Grant Cochran, who is running for vice president for external affairs, and Stephen Swinson, the candidate for vice...

Our View: UA should reconsider First Transit

Our View March 3, 2010

In short: If First Transit cannot come to terms with drivers on a new contract, UA should consider finding another company to run its buses. It took a day of strikes to get First Transit to finally accept...

Our View: Olympics a success

Our View March 1, 2010

In short: The Olympics were entertaining and a great show of national pride and international unity. For the past few weeks, people around the world have been captivated by the city of Vancouver. From...

Our View: Teach for America a valuable asset for Alabama

Our View February 26, 2010

In short: A Teach for America corps in the Black Belt will help improve education in Alabama.  If you’re reading this, you probably have a teacher to thank. Not just because you can read, but also...

Our View: Tenure process flawed

Our View February 25, 2010

In short: Tenure policies should be reconsidered because they can be unnecessary and subjective. The University has no plans to revisit its tenure policy in the wake of the shootings at the University...

Our View: Nuclear power plants needed

Our View February 24, 2010

In short: Investment in nuclear power provides a safer, greener energy alternative When President Obama promised during his campaign to work on weaning the United States off its dependence on fossil fuels,...

Our View: Revealing visitor lists makes White House more transparent

Our View February 22, 2010

Those who make a trip to the White House, whether they are lobbyists or a family on a tour, can no longer hide their visit. A new policy by the Obama administration publishes all White House visitor logs...

Our View: Pink meet promotes awareness

Our View February 22, 2010

In short: The Alabama athletic department’s “pink” events were helpful benefits for breast cancer awareness. October was National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but two Alabama women’s athletics...

Our View: Requiring photo IDs for voting unnecessary

Our View February 19, 2010

In short: Changes to the current system of voter confirmation would create more complications. If you don’t have a driver’s license, the next time you want to vote in Alabama might cost you $23.50....

Our View: Bus drivers deserve raise

Our View February 18, 2010

In short: CrimsonRide drivers should be heard. The CrimsonRide bus system is only a few years old, but already it has become a fixture on the UA campus. Many students rely on the buses every day to get...

Our View: No refunds for politics

Our View February 17, 2010

In short: Unions should not expect contributions back from congressman. Many labor unions and political action groups have requested that Rep. Parker Griffith return their contributions to his campaign...

Our View: State should cover PACT shortfall

Our View February 15, 2010

In short: State officials should prevent the possible failure of PACT, not UA. Many students and parents are concerned that their contracts with the state through the Prepaid Affordable College Tuition...

Our View: Johnson’s job tour laughable

Our View February 12, 2010

In short: GOP candidate Bill Johnson’s tour of Alabama’s dirtiest jobs is a publicity stunt at its most entertaining. Bill Johnson is no Mike Rowe, but don’t tell him that. Johnson recently launched...

Our View: Alabama should legalize gambling

Our View February 11, 2010

In short: Making gambling illegal does not stop people, so the state might as well gain tax dollars from it. There are plenty of moral objections to gambling. The problem is that our government isn’t...

Our View: Recruiting scholars yields great benefits

Our View February 10, 2010

In short: UA is a top recruiter of National Merit Scholars and that helps all students get a better education. The University has moved into the top 10 in more than sports. UA was the 10th-ranked public...

Removal proposal helps UA

Our View February 8, 2010

In short: Losing the smokestack near B.B. Comer will cost UA a landmark, but it is the right thing to do. Future UA students will not have to question why there is a 240-foot non-functioning smokestack...

Our View: Black History Month needed, but it shouldn’t be

Our View February 5, 2010

In short: Setting aside one month for one culture is not ideal, but it’s much better than forgetting. It’s almost sad that we need Black History Month. The month has its critics. Some say it excludes...

Mass. election warning for Democrats

Our View January 21, 2010

Massachusetts voters spoke for the entire electorate Tuesday when they chose Republican Scott Brown over Democrat Martha Coakley for the vacant U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Edward Kennedy. The message...

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