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 Tray Smith

Moving into fraternity house was the best decision I made in college

Tray Smith April 22, 2013

I started college as a senior but am graduating as a freshman. For my first three years at Alabama, I spent most of my time saving the world, first as a freshman SGA representative, then as a campaign...

Bonner’s proposals a major step forward

Tray Smith April 17, 2013

Freshmen students could be moved to the upper-deck next year and block seating attendance could be monitored quarterly with photographs, according to comments from UA President Judy Bonner reported in...

‘Big Brother’ textbook software that monitors studying an invasion of privacy

Tray Smith April 9, 2013

Johnny Manzel may not be the greatest threat coming out of Texas A&M. The university is part of a group of institutions experimenting with software that allows professors to see how students use textbooks....

Alabama’s education reforms are a welcome reform to past failures

Tray Smith March 17, 2013

Alabama Republicans have found a welcome distraction from their immigration witch hunts and casino raids in the new school accountability law that Gov. Robert Bentley signed last week. The significance...

UA’s conservative students reject idea of progressiveness

Tray Smith March 4, 2013

Today marks the centennial of Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration as president of the United States. This moment is especially relevant, coming less than two months after Barack Obama’s inauguration to a...

Alabama law enforcement’s big day was entirely meaningless for the state

Tray Smith February 25, 2013

Other states may be legalizing pot and gay marriage, but last Tuesday should have squandered any suspicion that Alabama could be nudged by the progressive trend. In one day, law enforcement officers...

A discussion on the future of fraternity rush at Alabama

Tray Smith February 12, 2013

This University values tradition. It provides some of our most memorable experiences as students, like Homecoming and Honors Week. Unfortunately, it also causes some of our largest challenges. UA students...

The state of Gallettes – student tradition shifts to newer spots as more options open

Tray Smith February 7, 2013

When Alabama students returned from Christmas break, they quickly discovered the new addition at Moe’s Bar downtown and a partially re-opened Rounder’s, which is still undergoing construction. Moe’s...

Law-abiding students should be able to bear arms

Law-abiding students should be able to bear arms

Tray Smith January 31, 2013

Last year, Mississippi and Wisconsin passed laws that allow licensed gun owners to carry concealed weapons on college campuses. Similar measures are now being considered in Texas and Arkansas, as policymakers...

Why not defend our future?

Why not defend our future?

Tray Smith January 24, 2013

State House Republicans released their agenda last week – a list of 11 proposals under the headline “We Dare Defend Our Rights.” They vowed to defend against “an ever-expanding and encroaching...

We won. Now we should ban cigarettes on campus.

We won. Now we should ban cigarettes on campus.

Tray Smith January 10, 2013

On Monday night, we celebrated wildly after the practice and perseverance of our football team resulted in a second consecutive BCS National Championship. While the vast majority of us can’t even imagine...

Not all Republicans closed to immigration reform

Tray Smith December 6, 2012

“Not only do immigrants help build our economy, they invigorate our soul,” former President George W. Bush told a conference on immigration and the economy Tuesday. It was surprising to hear the former...

Song, video ‘Gangnam Style’ a sign of converging cultures

Tray Smith November 29, 2012

For Alabama fans in Bryant-Denny Stadium, the worst moment during last Saturday’s Iron Bowl may have been when “Gangnam Style” played over the sound system. The same day, the song’s music video...

UA, Aramark should let no UA student go hungry

Tray Smith November 15, 2012

For years, I have mocked the idea of the hungry college student. Who is going to take on the expense of college and not have money for food? Conversely, if a student cannot afford food, why would he or...

Opinion: It’s time America had a new president

Tray Smith November 6, 2012

Last week, President Obama told his supporters “voting is the best revenge!” It was an appropriate summation for a campaign that has been all about revenge since its inception. Revenge against rich...

Romney hopes to revise social policy

Tray Smith October 30, 2012

In 2004, Republicans engineered gay marriage initiatives in several states to encourage conservative turnout at the polls on the day of the presidential election. George W. Bush, in a tight race to win...

Peace will only come through strength

Tray Smith October 23, 2012

After our Libyan ambassador was killed in a terrorist attack on Sept. 11 of this year, U.S. officials blamed a YouTube video for inciting the anti-American violence that led to his death. It took two weeks...

Change ahead for greek community

Tray Smith October 17, 2012

Greeks seem to be going through a rough patch lately. A prank war between two fraternities led to both of their houses being vandalized and resulted in both having their social privileges and block seating...

Expanding patient choice key to health care reform

Tray Smith October 14, 2012

An average of 140 million Americans shop at Walmart every week. Online retailers like Apple, Amazon and Google sold over one billion digital tracks in the first three quarters of this year. Americans...

Democratic Party needs to refocus, regroup with supporters

Tray Smith October 10, 2012

Last month Alabama voters approved Amendment One, which will allow the state to tap reserve funds to fill its financial gap. Republican Gov. Robert Bentley strongly supported the referendum, which allows...

Affordable Care Act fails to ensure choice

Tray Smith September 30, 2012

Last week, we highlighted how the Affordable Care Act will increase health care costs for young adults and falls short of the president’s original goal of reducing health care costs. While we suggested...

Reflecting on FYC gate, one year later

Tray Smith September 19, 2012

One year ago this Sunday, Grant Cochran resigned as The University of Alabama’s Student Government Association president. He was the first SGA president to resign in over 60 years and stepped down in...

Crimson Tide v. Arkansas

Crimson Tide v. Arkansas

Tray Smith September 15, 2012

UA enrollment increases to over 33,000 students

UA enrollment increases to over 33,000 students

Tray Smith September 13, 2012

  Join the conversation on Twitter @TheCrimsonWhite.

OPINION: How can UA grow as a community?

Tray Smith September 12, 2012

“Cultural growth” is a new buzzword on campus. After the last decade’s enrollment explosion, many students are looking for ways we can engineer parallel growth as a unified community. Growth as...

Tide’s Fowler will miss remainder of season

Tray Smith September 10, 2012

Alabama running back Jalston Fowler will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, head coach Nick Saban announced on Monday. The junior sustained the injury during Saturday's game vs. Western...

High-speed chase ends at Innisfree

Tray Smith September 8, 2012

Video credit: @im_MikeD A high-speed police chase ended just outside of Innisfree early Saturday morning, at the intersection of University Boulevard and 20th Avenue. Tuscaloosa Police Department officers...

Bailey needs to succeed where Witt struggled

Tray Smith September 5, 2012

The University of Alabama got a new president this week, a moment that invites yet another discussion on the legacy of our last president. Robert Witt may have just moved down the street into the quiet...

RNC statements prove GOP stance on same-sex marriage outdated, out of touch

Tray Smith September 4, 2012

Last week’s Republican National Convention accomplished two things for conservatives: it allowed them to throw a pep rally for the long-presumptive nominee Mitt Romney, and more importantly, served as...

Rowing team to hold informational meeting

Tray Smith September 4, 2012

The Alabama women’s rowing team will hold an informational meeting for current full-time Alabama students who are interested in becoming NCAA Division I athletes. The informational meeting for potential...

Bonner returning to previous role of provost

Tray Smith September 3, 2012

Guy Bailey will take hold of The University of Alabama presidency this week, permanently replacing Robert Witt, who vacated the post in March to become chancellor of The University of Alabama System. ...

Strip East: An idea whose time has come

Tray Smith August 29, 2012

By Tray Smith Senior Columnist Students have returned to a new year at The University of Alabama and, in many ways, a new campus. The Presidential Village off Jack Warner Parkway is now housing members...

Student Reactions to Standing-Room-Only Michigan Tickets

Student Reactions to Standing-Room-Only Michigan Tickets

Tray Smith August 27, 2012

Students take to social media to share their experiences waiting in line for away-game tickets at Coleman Coliseum and express their frustrations after many received standing-r0om-only passes for the Michigan...

Student Reactions to Nelly at Greekfest

Student Reactions to Nelly at Greekfest

Tray Smith August 26, 2012

A parking lot near the soccer field was transformed into a concert venue Friday, Aug. 24 as Umphrey’s McGee and Nelly headlined Greekfest. “It was great, the energy level was hot,” Nelly said. “It...

Alabama leaving education reform law behind

Tray Smith August 22, 2012

The No Child Left Behind Act was passed into law a decade ago based on a simple premise – that by 2014 no child should fall through the cracks of the U.S. education system. So, it required states to...

Frequent crime outburst a cause for concern around Tuscaloosa

Tray Smith July 18, 2012

A fight on the Strip left two men hospitalized and resulted in two others being apprehended by University police. The apprehended suspects were not involved in the fight, but had fired handguns in the...

Sandusky verdict bursts moral bubble

Tray Smith June 27, 2012

The most important takeaways from the Jerry Sandusky story, which ended in handcuffs Friday night, are not, really, about Jerry Sandusky. There isn’t much to learn from the fact that there are sick and...

Clickers not conducive to higher education

Tray Smith June 20, 2012

By now, the members of the University of Alabama’s incoming freshman class, sure to be the smartest in our history, have already crossed the threshold of high school graduation and are excitedly anticipating...

Northport man arrested after shots fired on Strip

Northport man arrested after shots fired on Strip

Tray Smith May 3, 2012

  Law enforcement officers with the Tuscaloosa and University of Alabama Police departments responded to a discharging firearm call at the Bear Trap on University Blvd. at 1:36 a.m. Thursday, where...

Student hospitalized after Burke fight

Tray Smith April 30, 2012

A female UA student was sent to DCH this afternoon after incurring non-life threatening injuries from a pocketknife. The student received the injuries during an altercation in the Burke West residence...

Remaining Acts of Kindness Funds to be used for students, employees in emergencies

Tray Smith April 26, 2012

An email from University Relations sent on April 29, 2011 announced the establishment of the UA Acts of Kindness Fund to support emergency assistance for UA students and employees. The fund would raise...

Alabama out-of-state enrollment rises each year

Alabama out-of-state enrollment rises each year

Tray Smith April 23, 2012

When the University of Alabama class of 2012 first arrived on campus in the fall of 2008, 63 percent of its members were from the state of Alabama. Most of the members of the class of 2015, which arrived...

Campus demolitions approved by board

Tray Smith April 15, 2012

The UA System Board of Trustees approved demolitions of four buildings and discussed a bill in the state legislature that would split the system last week in Huntsville. Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham,...

SGA elects speaker Will Barto

Tray Smith April 15, 2012

SGA Senator Will Barto was elected speaker of the SGA Senate Thursday night, defeating Senator Ryan Flamerich in his bid for re-election to the top position in the Student Government Association’s legislative...

Board considers demolitions

Tray Smith April 11, 2012

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees will meet Friday at the Bevil Conference Center and Hotel on the University of Alabama in Huntsville campus. It will be former UA president Robert Witt’s...

Witt focused on recruiting at UA

Witt focused on recruiting at UA

Tray Smith April 11, 2012

When Alex Flachsbart arrived at the University of Alabama in 2005 on a VIP visit with the Honors College, his first meeting was not at all what he expected. The first item on the agenda given to him by...

Witt oversaw era of unprecedented growth

Witt oversaw era of unprecedented growth

Tray Smith April 10, 2012

Nine years ago, the University of Alabama was a different place. Fewer than 20,000 students populated a campus that did not yet include the Bryce property or an Honors College. The University accepted...

Schools find president in different ways

Tray Smith April 9, 2012

A 23-member advisory committee has been appointed to assist in the search process for the next president of the University of Alabama, UA System Chancellor Robert Witt announced Friday. “After consulting...

If mandatory health insurance is struck, mandatory attendance should go, too

Tray Smith April 8, 2012

Supreme Court arguments over President Obama’s signature healthcare reform law made national headlines last week. The main issue before the Court is the constitutionality of the law’s mandate that...

Advisory committee formed to assist with search for UA president

Tray Smith April 8, 2012

A 23-member advisory committee has been appointed to assist in the search process for the next president of The University of Alabama, UA System Chancellor Robert Witt announced Friday. “After consulting...

Chancellor to search, select, oversee president

Tray Smith April 1, 2012

Among Robert Witt’s first duties as the new chancellor of the University of Alabama System will be recommending a replacement for himself as president of the University of Alabama. The chancellor is...

White greeks defeat other white greeks in elections

Tray Smith March 29, 2012

Sadness swept over Knott Hall last night after the UA Supreme Council on Elections released the results from the 2012 University of Alabama Model U.N. elections. The newly formed White Greek Liberal Party,...

You fools, I was in the Machine the whole time

Tray Smith March 29, 2012

In the 2011 film "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," a group of British intelligence officials share insignificant secrets with a Soviet diplomat in London in turn for more meaningful information he provides...

Block seating application revamped for fall

Tray Smith March 25, 2012

The Student Government Association will score applications for block seating electronically next football season as part of a series of reforms to the block seating process. “We formed several task...

Immigration reform should be left up to the Federal Government

Tray Smith February 23, 2012

An Associated Press report this week showed some evidence that illegal immigrants are returning to Alabama after fleeing the state in droves to escape HB 56. Of the 18 Hispanic immigrants the AP interviewed...

UAB student government opposes Shepherd Bend mine

Tray Smith February 22, 2012

Student Government leaders at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have joined a growing list of community organizations in expressing their opposition to a potential strip mine on University of Alabama...

Machine not expanding membership

Tray Smith February 9, 2012

The Machine, a secret political coalition of traditionally white fraternities and sororities, has chosen to support two candidates from non-Machine fraternities in Student Government Association elections...

Machine-endorsed candidates include members of Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Tau Omega

Tray Smith February 8, 2012

Preliminary campaigning for Student Government Association offices begins today, and the Machine, a secret political coalition of traditionally white fraternities and sororities, has picked its candidates...

Conflict brewing over mine

Conflict brewing over mine

Tray Smith February 6, 2012

A proposed coal mine on University of Alabama property could threaten more than just drinking water, two Birmingham breweries wrote in letters sent to University President Robert Witt late last month....

Presidential elections shouldn’t be based on popular vote

Tray Smith February 1, 2012

The ups-and-downs of the Republican presidential primary campaign have made a lot of news lately, but not much has been written about a much smaller, yet equally important, campaign being waged this election...

SGA adopts ethics code

Tray Smith January 30, 2012

Student Government Association officers will soon face new penalties for failing to comply with the SGA Code of Laws or fulfill their job responsibilities under the guidelines of a new ethics code the...

Martin awarded ODK Living Legend Award

Tray Smith January 19, 2012

The Omicron Delta Kappa honor society has awarded University of Alabama administrator Dot Martin with the annual ODK Living Legend Award. Martin began working for the University more than 45 years ago...

Mitt Romney most qualified for presidency

Tray Smith January 17, 2012

Mitt Romney’s tenure as the head of Bain Capital, a Boston financial firm, has rightfully come under scrutiny as he campaigns to become the Republican nominee for president. Media, voters and other politicians...

Immigration law a violation of trust

Tray Smith December 1, 2011

Alabama has made plenty of national news over the past two weeks, and not just because the University’s football team has garnered a likely position in the BCS National Championship. Since Nov. 16, the...

Retirement not the end of helping UA for veteran administrator

Tray Smith November 30, 2011

Pam Parker first graduated from The University of Alabama in 1980, but she never really left. She began working for the National Alumni Association in 1986 and, over the past 25 years, has risen to become...

Senators resign after FYC scandal

Tray Smith November 22, 2011

Three members of the Student Government Association (SGA) Senate have resigned as an investigation continues into the selections process for the SGA First Year Council, a freshman leadership forum within...

Farewell to the CW Opinions page

Tray Smith November 17, 2011

“Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government.” – Justice Hugo Black The last thing I ever expected to be involved with in college was The Crimson White. The...

Greek dues support Machine

Tray Smith November 17, 2011

Editor’s Note: Three sources with direct knowledge of the Machine’s finances and activities spoke to The Crimson White for this story.   Greek chapters at The University of Alabama are using a portion...

Board of Trustees approves new Fresh Foods

Tray Smith November 7, 2011

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved stage one of construction for a new Fresh Foods Dining facility at a meeting Friday. The new dining hall will be located on the current site...

The ‘Game of the Century’

Tray Smith November 2, 2011

Tomorrow, a friend of mine who attends Georgetown University will arrive in the Deep South for his first time. He is flying to the Birmingham airport so he can be in Tuscaloosa for this weekend’s “Game...

Bowden confirmed as EVP

Tray Smith October 24, 2011

The Student Government Association Senate unanimously voted to confirm senior Randy Bowden as Executive Vice President at a special session in the Ferguson Center Monday night. Bowden replaces former EVP...

Senate votes down release of documents

Tray Smith October 23, 2011

The Student Government Association Senate voted 26-12 Thursday night to defeat Resolution 33-11, which called for University administrators to allow the release of information relating to the resignation...

The emails we never received

Tray Smith October 19, 2011

Last Tuesday, University of Alabama students received another email from President Robert Witt, condemning a racially offensive act of vandalism on the Moody Music Building. At 114 words, the email was...

The Little Italy Renaissance

Tray Smith October 12, 2011

After the Tide defeated the Florida Gators last year, a group of friends and I went to Little Italy to celebrate the victory with great pizza. We were greeted by a burst of inappropriate language over...

Lasting change is possible here at the Capstone

Tray Smith October 6, 2011

Recently, a friend who is somewhat removed from student politics commented calmly and observantly about how exciting it is to watch campus change. His remarks were hardly extraordinary; columnists and...

FERPA overused, law's author says

FERPA overused, law’s author says

Tray Smith October 6, 2011

The United States senator who wrote the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) said the law was never intended to shield records about Student Government Association activities from...

University shields SGA records

Tray Smith October 3, 2011

The UA administration is refusing to release evidence related to the resignation of Student Government Association President Grant Cochran, claiming it is protected by the federal Family Educational Rights...

SGA President Grant Cochran resigns

Tray Smith September 26, 2011

Student Government Association President Grant Cochran has resigned in the midst of an investigation into irregularities that occurred in the selections process for the SGA’s First Year Council, a freshman...

Greeks best positioned to lead on equality

Tray Smith September 22, 2011

Walk into Lakeside Dining Hall for a typical meal, and groups of students will be clustered around the tables and inside the booths. Chances are, a wide array of students will be represented throughout...

Greeks should encourage diversity

Tray Smith September 22, 2011

Walk into Lakeside Dining Hall for a typical meal, and groups of students will be clustered around the tables and inside the booths. Chances are, a wide array of students will be represented throughout...

What is hazing, anyway?

Tray Smith September 15, 2011

A column in the Monday edition of The Crimson White entitled “Don’t haze me, bro” linked a lawsuit against the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity with other rumored acts of hazing on campus to paint a picture...

University expands block seating

University expands block seating

Tray Smith September 15, 2011

The University has decided to expand Student Organization Seating into section S-3 of the lower bowl of Bryant-Denny Stadium, reserving 33 of 35 rows previously open to all student ticketholders. At...

Governing bodies for higher education need reform

Tray Smith September 8, 2011

Auburn alumni erupted into an outcry over the summer when a committee Governor Bentley serves on recommended Bobby Lowder for another term on the school’s board of trustees. Lowder, the controversial...

Unity initiative shelved by officals

Tray Smith September 1, 2011

In an attempt to unify the student body after the April 27 tornado abruptly put an end to the spring semester, members of the SGA Student Organization Seating Committee discussed doing away with block...

Fewer groups receive block seating

Fewer groups receive block seating

Tray Smith August 31, 2011

Block seating privileges were given to 31 organizations at a meeting of the Student Organization Seating Committee Tuesday night, down from 34 organizations last year. Only three non-greek organizations...

UA students beyond the schoolhouse door

Tray Smith August 25, 2011

Forty-eight summers ago, an Alabama governor made national headlines by standing in the door of Foster Auditorium, blocking two black students from entry. That governor, George Wallace, eventually moved...

Immigration bill a stain on great moment for Alabama

Tray Smith July 20, 2011

In April, our school year came to a quick and unexpected end when tornadoes ravaged much of the state. In the months since, we have been inspired at the outpouring of sympathy The University of Alabama...

Business community finds ways to help

Tray Smith May 3, 2011

As relief workers continue to distribute essential supplies in areas devastated by the tornado that struck Tuscaloosa last Wednesday, several local businesses are pitching in to help. Little Italy on...

Volunteer efforts aid Rosedale residents

Tray Smith May 3, 2011

In a community where living conditions have been lower than the standard in Tuscaloosa, food provided by such establishments as Logan’s, Captain D’s, Subway and Moe’s—not to mention people constantly...

Faith and tragedy

Tray Smith May 1, 2011

Good people died in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday. They died suddenly, unexpectedly, through no fault of their own. They died at Mother Nature’s hand. On 13th Street, a man pointed to trees that narrowly...

Students at The Retreat struggle to access homes

Tray Smith April 29, 2011

Residents of The Retreat at Lake Tamaha should be able to drive to their homes this afternoon, according to city clerk Tracy Croom. The area was blockd off by the Secret Service to accommodate President...

Here’s to this year’s seniors

Tray Smith April 17, 2011

When I first arrived on campus, I didn’t know many other students and I didn’t know much about The University of Alabama. So, I decided to get involved with the SGA and the CW, meet as many people...

You have to get them while they’re young

Tray Smith April 10, 2011

Last fall, the University began a freshman mentoring program for first-generation college students. The program is one segment of a plan to eventually expand freshman mentoring to all freshmen, which is...

Kids don’t need longer summers

Tray Smith April 3, 2011

The Alabama State Legislature, whose capacity to act rationally is rarely underestimated, has produced some especially concerning proposals in its attempt to absorb the loss of federal stimulus funds in...

‘No Money,’ really runs the Capstone

Tray Smith March 31, 2011

The following piece is satirical in nature and not meant to be taken seriously. In case you couldn't figure that out. When I first explored the growing divide between old and new money on this page a...

The next great column could be yours

Tray Smith March 29, 2011

Do you think Honors students should have maids to clean their dorm rooms? Is there any way to bridge the Old Money-New Money divide? Could Four Square really unite our campus? The answers to these questions...

U.S. action in Libya key to fostering democracy

Tray Smith March 22, 2011

The scene is familiar. Impressive missile strikes pounding a foreign land, broadcast live on televisions around the world. We saw it in Bosnia in 1995, in Iraq in 1998, in Yugoslavia in 1999. We saw it...

Quiet SGA campaign offers opportunities for collaboration

Tray Smith March 7, 2011

For a campus that is famous for intense SGA elections, the current campaign, like the one that preceded it, has been fairly quiet. The Elections Board has banned chalking and stickers, once essential outlets...

The Great Divide: Old Money vs. New Money

Tray Smith February 27, 2011

With SGA elections looming, it is becoming increasingly apparent that our student body is at a crossroads. We are threatened by a great divide, a divide so deep it risks unraveling the social fabric of...