University of Alabama Suspends Black and Women-Focused Student Magazines After Federal DEI Guidance

Tuscaloosa, AL - On December 3, 2025, the University of Alabama announced the suspension of two student-run magazines, Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice, citing compliance with recent federal guidance regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices at federally funded institutions.

What Happened

• The magazines - Nineteen Fifty-Six, which centered on Black student experiences, and Alice, which focused on women's issues - were informed by the university's Office of Student Life that they would no longer be allowed to operate "under their current format."
• University officials referenced a July memo issued by the U.S. Attorney General under the current administration, which interprets demographic-based or identity-centered campus programs as potential violations of nondiscrimination policy for institutions receiving federal funds.
• In response, the University said it plans to launch a new, broadly scoped student magazine meant to serve the entire student body rather than specific demographic groups.

Reactions from Students and Staff

Editors from both publications expressed concern about the decision. The editor-in-chief of Alice told reporters she believed the move raised questions about First Amendment protections for student media.
Similarly, the editor of Nineteen Fifty-Six described the closure as significant, noting the magazine had provided a platform for underrepresented students on campus.

According to student-media staff, neither magazine enforced restrictions on staff membership by race or gender. The publications welcomed participation from all students, regardless of identity.

Context: The Broader DEI Debate in Higher Education

The suspensions come amid increased scrutiny of DEI programs across public universities in states with laws or policies limiting identity-based student initiatives. Many institutions have recently restructured student organizations or campus support programs to comply with new state or federal requirements.

At the University of Alabama, the decision reflects broader efforts to align with interpretations of federal policy that view identity-targeted programs as potentially noncompliant with civil rights law.

What’s Next

University officials said the planned replacement magazine will be open to the entire student population and not designed around specific demographic groups.
It remains unclear how students who contributed to Alice and Nineteen Fifty-Six will engage with the new publication and how the decision will affect campus media representation and student journalism going forward.