University of Alabama Suspends Publication of Magazines for Women, Black Students

The University of Alabama has suspended a pair of magazines that were predominantly created by and published for women and minorities on campus, citing the risk of losing federal funding in the war on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

The decision from the Department of Student Life suspends Alice Magazine and Nineteen Fifty-Six. The two relatively new magazines are created by students of different backgrounds and fields of study at the Office of Student Media, which also houses the Crimson White, UA's student newspaper.

According to reporting from the CW, the magazines are being suspended to comply with a memo from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives at colleges and universities across the country. The Trump administration has said these efforts to give focus to minority groups are themselves discriminatory and has threatened federal funding for those who do not prohibit "DEI" on their campuses.

It's important to note that the last paragraph of Bondi's memo calls her guidance "recommended best practices," which are "non-binding suggestions" for avoiding "legal, financial, and reputational risks."

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The mission statement of the 10-year-old Alice Magazine identifies it as "a publication by and for college women."

"Alice is bold and inclusive, serving as an accessible source for all things college," the first page of their last issue reads. "We cover fashion, beauty, entertainment, food & health, and lifestyle for college women, while also tackling serious issues young women face, like the gender wage gap and sexual health. Because college women are more than what we wear and what we look like, but also how we feel, what we think, and the future we want to build."

That page ends with this: "though we do focus on college women, our belief in inclusivity extends far beyond the content we produce. We want everyone and anyone to feel like they can pick up our magazine and enjoy - there are no rules for having fun at Alice!"

The newer Nineteen Fifty-Six was launched five years ago by former student Tionna Tate, and aims to be a magazine focusing on "the stories of present and past Black students at the University of Alabama."

A note on the inside of one cover reads: "Dear Black students, you do matter. The numerous achievements and talents of Black students deserve to be recognized. As of Fall 2019, 10.50 percent of students on campus identified as Black or African American. Black students are disproportionately underrepresented in various areas on campus. Nineteen Fifty-Six is a Black student-led magazine that amplifies the voices within the University of Alabama's Black community."

Like Alice, the magazine's intro ends with a welcome to all readers.

"[Nineteen Fifty-Six] also seeks to educate students from all backgrounds on culturally important issues and topics in an effort to produce socially conscious, ethical and well-rounded citizens."

Both publications have been suspended immediately after a meeting with Steven Hood, UA's vice president of student life, according to the CW.

The University of Alabama provided the Thread with a statement saying UA had a legal obligation to suspend the magazines.

"The University remains committed to supporting every member of our community and advancing our goals to welcome, serve, and help all succeed. In doing so, we must also comply with our legal obligations. This requires us to ensure all members of our community feel welcome to participate in programs that receive University funding from the Office of Student Media," A spokeswoman said. "Editors and contributors of Alice and Nineteen Fifty-Six magazine were informed of the decision to suspend the magazines effective immediately, with the Fall 2025 issue as the final issue. Staff hope to work with students to develop a new publication that features a variety of voices and perspectives to debut in the next academic year."

Though a fast-growing petition asks the University to reverse this decision, for now the magazines are suspended immediately and indefinitely.

For more coverage of the issue as it develops, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.