Nonprofit Seeks To Raise $25K For Student Publications Shuttered By UA

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A nonprofit supporting student media has launched a $25,000 fundraising campaign to help two publications resume print operations after the University of Alabama suspended the student-run magazines in response to new federal anti-discrimination guidelines.

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Patch reported last week that the university halted the student-led magazines Alice and Nineteen Fifty-Six to comply with a U.S. Department of Justice memo that raised concerns about race- and identity-centered student organizations receiving public funding.

UA administrators said the suspensions were temporary and necessary as the university reviewed compliance requirements, while student editors and supporters argued the shutdowns were abrupt and harmful to marginalized communities on campus.

The suspension resulted in widespread backlash from students, faculty and alumni, eventually prompting a petition and public demonstrations calling on administrators to reinstate the magazines.

As of the publication of this story, the petition to reinstate the magazines had received 2,877 of the 3,000 signatures it is seeking to gather.

Masthead — an independent nonprofit that advocates for diverse and equitable student media at UA — says the campaign is raising funds to allow the student staffs of both magazines to publish Spring 2026 print editions, pay student workers and secure workspace and equipment needed to continue producing their magazines.

Masthead was founded in 2020 and is operated by UA alumni, professors and student editors.

Masthead also describes itself as “a nonprofit that advocates for diverse, anti-racist and equitable student media at the University of Alabama,” noting it has provided mentorship, financial assistance and speaker programming for student journalists since its founding.

As of the publication of this story, the fundraising campaign has raised just short of $6,000.

Click here to donate to Masthead's fundraiser.

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