The Crimson White

The Crimson White is the student-run newspaper of the University of Alabama and one of the university's principal student media organizations. Founded in 1894 as The Crimson-White, it takes its name from the crimson and white colors associated with Alabama athletics. The publication reports on university affairs, student government, campus organizations, athletics-related issues, local government, Tuscaloosa news, Alabama politics and broader national stories with relevance to its readership. It is published under The Crimson White Media Group and operates within the university's Office of Student Media, an auxiliary department overseen through the vice president for student affairs. Other organizations in that office include Alice Magazine, Black Warrior Review, Marr's Field Journal, The Southern Historian and the student radio station 90.7 The Capstone. Although the office provides administrative and advisory support, the editorial adviser does not control or assume responsibility for the newspaper's content. Editorial leadership is selected through an annual process. The editor-in-chief is chosen by the 11-member Media Planning Board, which includes students, faculty members and media professionals. Subsequent staffing and editorial positions are generally arranged after the incoming editor is selected, with the exact structure varying from year to year. The newspaper historically expanded from a weekly schedule to four printed editions per week during the 1980s. In August 2015, it moved from four print editions to two weekly editions and adopted a more graphically oriented newsmagazine format. Its fall and spring circulation has been described as approximately 14,000, with distribution on campus and in surrounding communities; the publication also maintains an online presence and is affiliated with UWIRE for content distribution and promotion. The Crimson White has a longstanding reputation for challenging powerful institutions and scrutinizing university administrators, local and state officials and campus political networks. It named and has repeatedly reported on the Machine, a coalition associated with influence over University of Alabama student politics. Its editorial board has also endorsed candidates in student government, municipal, state and national elections. The paper's history includes notable milestones in representation and journalism leadership. Barbara Hodge was its first known female editor, serving in 1942–43, while Joseph Bryant became its first Black editor in 2000–01. Former staff members and editors have included figures who later worked in national journalism, broadcasting, literature and public service, including former U.S. Senator John Sparkman, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial writer Ron Casey, journalist Jan Crawford, broadcaster Mel Allen, author Mark Childress and writer Gay Talese. The publication has received Collegiate Crown and Gold Circle honors, regularly performs strongly in the Southeastern Journalism Conference and has won the National Pacemaker Award in 1977, 2015 and 2019. The Crimson White remains an active university news organization combining print journalism, digital reporting, opinion writing and student media training.

The Crimson White began publishing at the University of Alabama in 1894 under the name The Crimson-White. The title referred to the university's crimson and white colors and established an identity closely tied to the institution while leaving the publication as a student journalism enterprise. The hyphen gradually disappeared from the masthead during the early 1960s and had been permanently dropped by 1974. The newspaper initially appeared weekly, but its publishing frequency increased over time. By the 1980s it was being printed four days per week, reflecting the role of a daily-style campus newspaper in university life. On August 24, 2015, the publication changed course by ending the four-day print schedule and moving to two weekly editions. The revised print product emphasized visual presentation and a newsmagazine-style format, while digital publishing supported more frequent reporting and distribution. The Crimson White operates within the University of Alabama's Office of Student Media. That office also supports several other student publications and media outlets, but the newspaper's editorial content is not controlled by the office's associate director for editorial. The editor-in-chief is selected annually by an 11-member Media Planning Board made up of students, faculty members and media professionals. Staff positions and titles are typically determined after the next editor is selected, allowing each editorial administration to establish its own organization. The publication's history includes notable developments in editorial representation. Barbara Hodge was the first known woman to serve as editor, in 1942–43. Joseph Bryant became the first Black editor in 2000–01. The paper has also served as an early professional platform for journalists, writers, broadcasters and public officials. Former editors and staff members associated with it include John Sparkman, Ron Casey, Jan Crawford, Mel Allen, Mark Childress and Gay Talese. Editorially, The Crimson White has cultivated a tradition of confronting authority. Its reporting and opinion pages have addressed university administrators, city and state officials, student government and campus political organizations. The paper named the Machine in 1928 and has continued covering the organization's alleged influence over University of Alabama student politics since the late 1960s. In addition to campus reporting, the newspaper localizes national issues, covers government and breaking news in Tuscaloosa and Alabama, and frequently publishes endorsements for student government and public elections. The Crimson White has received Collegiate Crown and Gold Circle awards and has repeatedly placed among the leading publications at the Southeastern Journalism Conference. Its National Pacemaker Awards, received in 1977, 2015 and 2019, represent the publication's most prominent documented collegiate journalism honors. In the contemporary period, it combines a twice-weekly print newspaper, online reporting, opinion journalism, special editions and student training. It is also affiliated with UWIRE, which helps distribute and promote content to a wider network. Its print circulation has been reported at approximately 14,000 during the fall and spring terms, with distribution on campus and in nearby communities, while its online presence extends the publication's reach beyond the immediate university audience.

1. 2019Third National Pacemaker Award

   The publication wins the National Pacemaker Award for the third documented time.

   Source
2. 2015Print frequency and format change

   The newspaper shifts from four print editions each week to two weekly editions and adopts a more graphically focused newsmagazine style.

   Source
3. 2000Joseph Bryant becomes the first Black editor

   Joseph Bryant serves as editor-in-chief during 2000–01, becoming the first Black editor identified in the publication's history.

   Source
4. 1977First National Pacemaker Award

   The Crimson White receives its first National Pacemaker Award for collegiate journalism.

   Source
5. 1942Barbara Hodge becomes the first known female editor

   Barbara Hodge serves as editor during the 1942–43 academic year, marking the first known woman-led editorship in the paper's documented history.

   Source
6. 1894Publication founded as The Crimson-White

   The University of Alabama student newspaper begins production under its original hyphenated title.

   Source

Independent-minded student journalism focused on University of Alabama campus affairs, local accountability reporting, student politics and issues affecting Alabama communities.

• The Crimson White print editionStudent newspaper1894

  The publication's physical newspaper, distributed during the fall and spring terms. Since 2015 it has generally appeared twice each week rather than four times weekly. Its typical size varies with advertising and editorial volume, usually ranging from 12 to 16 pages, while special editions can exceed 30 pages.

• The Crimson White onlineDigital journalism

  The publication's online news and opinion platform, extending coverage beyond the schedule and physical distribution limits of the print edition. It covers University of Alabama affairs, student life, local government, Tuscaloosa and Alabama news, and national developments relevant to its audience.

• Special editionsSpecial publication

  Occasional expanded issues produced for major campus events, news packages or other editorial purposes. These editions can be substantially longer than the standard paper and may exceed 30 pages.

• 2015Shift from four weekly print editions to twoStrategy

  The publication revised its print model after operating on a four-days-a-week schedule during the 1980s and subsequent decades.

  What changed. Beginning August 24, 2015, The Crimson White reduced print frequency to twice weekly and emphasized a more graphically focused newsmagazine presentation.

  Aftermath. The change made print less frequent while leaving the publication's broader reporting operation supported by online publishing and special editions.

  Source

• 2019The Crimson White wins the National Pacemaker Award again

  The newspaper receives a third National Pacemaker Award, adding to its collegiate journalism honors.

  Other
  Source
• 2015The publication moves to a twice-weekly print schedule

  The Crimson White ends its four-days-a-week print schedule and adopts two weekly print editions with a more graphically focused newsmagazine format.

  Product generation
  Source
• 2015The Crimson White receives another National Pacemaker Award

  The publication wins the National Pacemaker Award for the second time, following its earlier 1977 recognition.

  Other
  Source
• 1977The Crimson White wins its first National Pacemaker Award

  The newspaper receives the National Pacemaker Award, a major recognition in collegiate journalism.

  Other
  Source
• 1960The publication drops the hyphen from its masthead

  The hyphen begins disappearing from the newspaper's masthead in the early 1960s and is no longer used consistently by 1974.

  Other
  Source
• 1894The Crimson-White begins publication at the University of Alabama

  The student publication begins production under the hyphenated name The Crimson-White, drawing its title from the university's crimson and white athletic colors.

  Other
  Source

1. The Crimson White
2. The Crimson White online