Fundraising Launched For Student Magazines After UA Cuts Support
MASTHEAD, an organization of UA alumni, professors and student editors, is stepping forward to assist two University of Alabama student run magazines in remaining in business despite losing official school support last week. They kicked off a campaign today to raise $25,000 to fund the now independent publications Alice Magazine (a women's issues and lifestyle magazine) and Nineteen Fifty-Six (a black student life and culture magazine).
A MASTHEAD press release this morning says the funds raised will, "cover expenses such as printing costs, student salaries, and any equipment needs." The campaign will continue until the goal is achieve.
At least one UA official, who did not want to be identified, stated suspension of the two publications resulted from UA concern for potentially running afoul of federal and state crackdowns on campus diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Programs on college and university campuses that can be interpreted in any way promoting DEI are at risk of being construed as being in violation of Trump Administration and state legislative policies. That has placed higher education institutions in a bind; provide an atmosphere for free expression of thought or risk losing federal dollars if DEI can be attached in any way.
The basis for the school's decision is U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's claim that DEI initiatives can be considered discriminatory and may be in violation of federal anti-discrimination laws.
“The University remains committed to supporting every member of our community and advancing our goals to welcome, serve and help all succeed,” a press release stated, claiming UA is complying with legal obligations.
UA has stated it plans to assist with development of student magazine that, "...features a variety of voices and perspectives” in the next academic year.
The Student Press Law Center and Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression were quoted in the MASTHEAD press release as calling the suspension of the two publications "...an egregious breach of these student publication's press rights and blatant viewpoint discrimination."
MASTHEAD President and Co-founder Victor Luckerson was quoted in today's press release as urging support for the organizations fund raising effort, "This is the moment for us to step up as alumni and citizens and model the society we want to leave for the younger generation."
The controversy arises as a national free speech activist organization 2026 Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression gave all four major universities in the state a D-grade for free speech in its College Free Speech Rankings. UA's Tuscaloosa campus received the lowest grade at D-.
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