University of Alabama Suspends Two Student Magazines Citing DOJ Guidance on DEI

The University of Alabama has suspended two university-funded student magazines—Alice and Nineteen Fifty-Six—effective immediately, saying the decision responds to a July Department of Justice memorandum that offered non-binding guidance about federal antidiscrimination laws and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.

What the university said

In a campus statement, the university explained it must ensure that programs receiving Office of Student Media funding comply with legal obligations and that participation is open to all community members. The university said the Fall 2025 issue of each magazine will be the final edition under their current structures and that staff and administrators hope to collaborate on a redesigned publication that features a broader range of voices and perspectives for the following academic year.

About the DOJ memorandum

The July memo from the Department of Justice, issued as non-binding 'best practices' guidance, emphasized avoiding policies that function as "unlawful proxies"—that is, ostensibly neutral criteria that in practice substitute for explicit consideration of race, sex, or other protected characteristics. The guidance framed its recommendations as practical steps to reduce legal risk, not mandatory rules.

Who the magazines are

Alice is a student lifestyle magazine covering fashion, beauty, food, health and wellness aimed primarily at women. Nineteen Fifty-Six, founded in 2020, describes itself as a student-run publication focused on Black culture, Black excellence and Black student experiences at the university.

Reactions from students and staff

Editors and contributors expressed disappointment and concern about the suspension. Alice editor-in-chief Gabrielle Gunter said, "It is so disheartening to know that so many of us have put so much hard work into these magazines that are now being censored." She added that Alice played a formative role in her journalism education and lamented the loss of spaces where students learn to produce diverse publications.

Nineteen Fifty-Six editor-in-chief Kendal Wright said she was "deeply saddened," noting the magazine had nurtured emerging Black student journalists and helped bring the campus community together.

Context and next steps

Reporting on the situation noted that neither magazine formally barred participation on the basis of race or sex, and both included staff members who were not part of the publications' primary audiences. The DOJ memo includes examples of potentially unlawful practices—such as prioritizing candidates from "underrepresented groups" for admission or hiring—that institutions should avoid if they receive federal funding.

Representatives for the university have signaled an intent to work with students to create a new, compliant publication. The Department of Justice did not immediately provide a comment.