Horizons, Summer 2020

The University of Alabama | Fall 2020 

Y O U R F R E S H M A N S U R V I V A L G U I D E 

Welcome! 

Everything is fine. 

CW / Leah Goggins 

and Rebecca Griesbach

2 HORIZONS 

FALL 2020

6 

9 

12 

18 

25 

HORIZONS 

FALL 2020 

WHAT’S INSIDE 

Study Tips: Opinions Editor Mikayla Wyatt shares some socially distant 

strategies to help you stay on task. 

Safe Return: See how UA’s campus return plan stacks up to schools 

across the country. 

Machine: Yes, it’s real. Dig into the not-so-secret society’s past and 

present with this handy timeline. 

Going Global: Learn about the challenges facing international students 

and what resources are available. 

Hot Take: Find out why 2021 will be the single-best year of sports in the 

history of sports. Like, ever. 

HORIZONS EDITORIAL STAFF 

editor-in-chief 

managing editor 

chief copy editor 

engagement editor 

opinions editor 

news editor 

culture editor 

sports editor 

photo editor 

senior designers 

social media strategists 

Rebecca Griesbach 

editor@cw.ua.edu 

Leah Goggins 

managingeditor@cw.ua.edu 

Bhavana Ravala 

Adaya Jackson 

engagement@cw.ua.edu 

Mikayla Wyatt 

letters@cw.ua.edu 

Jessa Reid Bolling 

newsdesk@cw.ua.edu 

Honorine Ntoh Yuh 

culture@cw.ua.edu 

Alexander Plant 

sports@cw.ua.edu 

Hannah Saad 

Garrett Kennedy 

Pearl Langley 

Tionna Taite 

Emily Earle 

ADVERTISING STAFF 

creative services 

Alyssa Sons 

3 

LETTERS FROM THE EDITORS 

Let’s pave a way forward 

Graphic CW / Leah Goggins 

BY REBECCA GRIESBACH 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

I’ve felt like my life was in crisis a 

number of times. 

As someone who was dubbed “Messy 

Becky” six hours before the first 8 a.m. 

class of her college career, I’ve had 

my share of freshman faux pas that 

would shake even the most tolerant 

of sensibilities. 

I’ve also weathered significantly lesslaughable 

seasons. There were moments 

when I truly struggled to feel welcome 

or safe on a campus so annoyingly close 

to home. There were moments when 

I doubted my potential. There were 

moments when the air felt stiff and the 

road ahead unchanging – whether it be 

from years of reporting on Bad Things 

or from my own silence or stubbornness 

along the way. 

But as 2020 rears its exceedingly 

volatile, illuminating, disturbingly 

random head, there are a host of words 

and phrases I have begun to hate. Crisis 

is one of them. Unprecedented is another. 

And don’t even get me started on “return 

to normal.” 

When the coronavirus reached 

American shores, I, like many other 

journalists, was quick to label it a crisis. 

The news of an indiscriminate virus 

consumed my life, yet I quickly thought of 

how I personally would be affected by the 

economic downturn and a seemingly new 

threat of the unknown. I worried about 

my on-campus jobs. I worried about the 

newspaper. I worried about being in a 

never-ending state of worry. 

But the truth is this anxiety is not 

new, crises are every day and the virus 

does discriminate. As we prepare for an 

“unprecedented” moment in our campus’ 

history, your freshman year will be vastly 

different from your roommate’s and from 

mine. The health scares, the hires and fires, 

the not-so-underground organizations 

and the campus return plans will affect us 

in various ways – some of which will fail 

to be addressed. 

Now, here is where I could assure you 

that the campus newspaper will save you 

from these depths of uncertainty, but I 

would be lying. I could promise you that 

a committed cadre of student journalists 

will restore the University to what it once 

was, but how lame would that be? I could 

say that this year’s coverage will be the best 

and the boldest, and that we’re dedicated 

to progress in a time of rapid change. But, 

like most of you, I know we’re going to 

flail before we can get our bearings. 

I can tell you this, though: We will do 

our best to tell your sometimes beautifully 

and sometimes painfully unique stories. 

I can tell you that we will bust our butts 

to get answers. And I can assure you 

that we want to work with you to pave a 

way forward. 

Help us build our vocabularies. 

Call us out when we make mistakes. 

Join our staff. 

And for the love of all that is holy, don’t 

take the tequila shots! 

It’s probably going to be okay 

BY LEAH GOGGINS 

MANAGING EDITOR 

When I first sat down to write this 

letter, I figured it should be uplifting. After 

all, the world is vaguely falling apart in a 

slightly more radical way than it usually 

is, and who better to encourage you than 

I, a woman you don’t know and don’t 

care about. 

I thought about writing about how 

almost every freshman class seems to 

enter college at the worst possible time, 

but given the confluence of everything 

happening in the world right now, 

that would be deeply condescending. 

I thought about writing about getting 

involved on campus and how lifechanging 

that can be. I thought about 

telling you how to manage your stress. 

But the fact of the matter is that I’d rather 

not patronize you by telling you any of 

those things, all of which you can read 

about on Odyssey Online. 

I can promise you 

that you contain 

multitudes. 

I guess the real problem with me 

writing you this letter is that I’m really 

not much wiser than any of you. In fact, 

a significant number of you are probably 

much smarter and cooler than me, and 

I would be deeply intimidated to meet 

you. The only advice I can give you is 

this: It’s probably going to be okay. 

Even when you can’t sleep the night 

before an 8 a.m. test; even when it 


turns out that your roommate hates your 

guts; even when your parents won’t stop 

calling you or alternatively, never call 

at all. It’s probably going to be okay. I’d 

like to promise you that it will absolutely 

be okay, but I can’t say for sure. I can 

promise that the odds are in your favor. I 

can promise that if you ever want to write 

for the Crimson White, I’ll be right here 

waiting for you. I can promise that you 

will learn so much stuff about yourself 

over the next four years, both important 

and inane. 

I can promise you that you contain 

multitudes. 

I can promise you that sprinting from 

North Lawn Hall to Morgan Hall in August 

is pure hell. I can promise you that you’ll 

make friends, even if it takes a minute or 

two. I can promise you that you’ll miss 

home so much, until one day you just 

don’t anymore. 

College is weird and gross and honestly, 

kind of boring. 

But it’s also one of the most important 

times in your life. You’re about to change 

and grow very quickly. And I’m kind of 

glad you’re going to do it here, with us. See 

you around.

4 HORIZONS 


Photo courtesy of Russell Jiles 

RUSSELL JILES 

Hometown: LAKELAND, FLORIDA 

Major: KINESIOLOGY 

Concentration: EXERCISE SCIENCE 

Russell 

Q: How did you mentally 

cope with the change of 

environment and maintaining 

multiple responsibilities? 

A: I learned to balance multiple 

responsibilities at once, whether it 

was attending student organization 

meetings, completing homework 

assignments or even hanging out with 

friends. College and independence 

revolve around being able to juggle 

a plethora of responsibilities at once. 

Russell 

Q: How did you deal with 

the transition to strictly online 

classes due to COVID-19? What 

ways helped you to still succeed 

in classes? 

A: I treated it as if we were still on 

campus. I got up daily and completed 

coursework during my scheduled 

class times to still give every class 

the desired time it needed. I still 

prioritized to make sure I was still 

ahead of my classes, which helped 

me a great deal. 

Russell 

Q: What are three of the most 

important pieces of advice you 

would like to share with the UA 

class of 2024? 

A: Learn to prioritize. Make 

networking a necessity. Do not 

give up no matter how hard it 

Shanaya 

Q: What are some habits 

you set in place in order to 

avoid academic failures? 

A: Some key habits that 

I developed to ensure 

my academic success 

were making sure that 

I wrote everything 

down on my wall 

calendar, as well as in 

my phone calendar. 

I set reminders 

for everything 

which forced me 

to become more 

ADVICE FROM 

SHANAYA DAUGHTREY 

Hometown: LAKEWOOD, CALIFORNIA 

Major: POLITICAL SCIENCE 

Minor: JOURNALISM 

BY MIKAYLA WYATT 

OPINIONS EDITOR 

Photo courtesy of Shanaya Daughtrey 

organized than 

I initially was. I 

checked my email 

regularly. When I 

knew a test was 

approaching I 

would always 

set blocks of 

time to study 

at least a 

week in 

advance.

HORIZONS 


5 

UA 2023 FOR UA 2024 

Shanaya 

Q: How did you find avenues 

to decompress during high stress 

times, especially if you resided 

on campus? 

A: While I was on campus during 

high-stress times I would always find 

myself in the Black Student Union 

office, Fresh Foods or Lakeside. It 

was a way to unwind, laugh and 

just take a break from what I was 

dealing with. If I had a chance 

to take a nap, that assisted me in 

decompressing as well. 

Shanaya 





A: The three pieces of advice 

that I would like to leave the UA 

class of 2024 would be to first not 

put off what you can do today until 

tomorrow. Secondly, networking and 

building relationships with people is 

essential to your success on campus 

and beyond. Lastly, parties and social 

events are not going anywhere, but 

the four [years] here academically 

will fly by; handle your business first. 

Elissa 

Q: In what ways did you become 

actively involved on campus? 

A: My first step into the unknown 

of UA began by participating in Get 

On Board Day (an event that occurs 

at the start of every semester where 

all registered student organizations 

showcase their organizations). I 

signed up to participate in three 

to four organizations at GOBD, 

and began to attend their regularly 

scheduled meetings. 

Elissa 

Q: What support systems 

or campus resources assisted 

you most with the start of your 

collegiate career? 

A: My particular college, the 

College of Arts and Sciences, offered 

peer coaches to help students manage 

their schedules and maintain good 

mental health. My peer coach and I 

became very close. It was clear that she 

valued my success and stability just as 

much as myself. She helped me bring 

everything into perspective all while 

introducing me to more opportunities. 

After just one meeting, I felt a weight 

lifted off of my shoulders. 

Elissa 





A: First and foremost, stay 

focused. You never want to 

lose sight of why you are at 

UA. Next, get involved. It 

is important to remember 

life is not only about what 

you know, but who you 

know as well. It might be 

scary at first but putting 

yourself out there provides 

opportunities and lifelong 

friendships. Lastly, be the 

best version of yourself. 

When you are in a pool of 

different people it provides 

room for growth, and the 

ability to learn from others. 

Do not lose sight of you. 

ELISSA NATION 

Photo courtesy of Elissa Nation 

Hometown: BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 

Major: POLITICAL SCIENCE 

Minor: ENGLISH & AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES

6 HORIZONS 


LETTER FROM OPINIONS EDITOR 


BY MIKAYLA WYATT 

OPINIONS EDITOR 

Although the start of your academic 

journey won’t be as you imagined, 

it is still essential to begin with the 

mindset to strive for nothing short of 

success. I too have to make academic 

adjustments as I begin my senior year 

studying political science here at The 

Capstone. I am confident that we will 

all find productivity despite COVID-19 

and perform exceedingly well on our 

academic endeavors. 

COVID-19 has become a sore 

thumb for us all. Similar to Atlanta 

traffic or even early August move-in 

heat, it’s an issue we must all learn to 

cope with. The rapid transition from 

meeting every Monday, Wednesday 

and Friday for classes in Russell or 

Lloyd Hall to setting alarms to wakeup 

in time for a Zoom class meeting 

can leave us all feeling unbalanced. 

But as we begin yet another academic 

year with a rather different approach 

to class instruction, I thought it would 

be instrumental to list some pointers 

on how to be academically successful. 

Schedule “you time.” 

Your mental state will make or 

break your semester. It is vital that you 

set time aside to recharge. Whether 

it is through working out, reading 

or something else, the protection 

of your mind is mandatory. When 

creating you time, you may miss some 

events or have to reschedule hangout 

sessions, but never feel bad for taking 

care of yourself. A good mental space 

is what makes you….you. 

Change study 

environments. 

The workload can be overwhelming 

at times, such as finals week, and 

it can be challenging to complete 

those assignments successfully in the 

same study environment. The spread 

of COVID-19 has made changing 

environments more challenging 

than usual, but here’s a list of study 

spots you can switch up every two or 

three days: 

First, you could spend some time 

at a coffee shop on or off campus (see 

page 21 for some recommendations 

from our culture desk, and remember 

to wear your mask!). Second, take a 

trip to one of the libraries on campus. 

There are a plethora of socially 

distant spaces to study within the 

libraries. And, if you get tired of 

those, move to your apartment’s living 

room, bedroom or in your dorm’s 

common areas. 

Pace yourself. 

COVID-19 has provided a decent 

amount of leisure time for most college 

students, but it is still important to 

keep a routine schedule. This means 

not only for staying on top of academic 

needs, but for other tasks throughout 

your day or week. This schedule will 

keep you motivated as you complete 

routine tasks. My personal schedule 

includes working out, self-care, 

socializing and even washing my hair. 

This will help mitigate the feeling of 

being overwhelmed with everything 

life is throwing your way right now. 

Stay organized. 

It is important to keep all your 

academic assignments and general 

documents stored on your laptop, 

whether that is on a separate hard 

drive or through a computer based 

drive such as Google Drive. It is also 

important to maintain a physical 

planner and a digital planner. We are 

the generation that lives by our phones. 

In order to avoid missing meetings or 

assignments, it is important to utilize 

digital reminders or third party apps 

to stay on task. 

Have an accountability 

partner. 

You are not alone with feeling 

overwhelmed in life. That is why it is 

important to have someone to keep 

you on track and remind you of your 

worth. Keeping someone in the loop 

of your life helps you stay motivated 

to complete the goals you have set 

for yourself. 

These simple steps can keep your 

mind sharp during a chaotic time in 

the world. The transition to mostly 

virtual learning can be intimidating, 

but never forget why you are here at 

the University of Alabama.

HORIZONS 


7

8 HORIZONS 


How COVID-19 will change the classroom 

BY GRACE SCHEPIS 

STAFF REPORTER 

As the fall semester approaches, the 

University has consistently updated 

students about its return plan. Though 

class schedules and instructional 

methods have yet to be solidified, 

administrators and professors are 

rolling out the policies on classroom 

etiquette during the pandemic. 

FALL SCHEDULE CHANGES 

A July 17 email from UA news 

confirmed that, like other schools 

across the country, UA students 

will not return to campus after 

Thanksgiving break. The rest of the 

semester will be carried out via remote 

learning and test administration. 

Additionally, fall break has been 

cancelled, and classes will continue 

to run throughout the entire week 

of Oct. 26. The University does not 

currently anticipate changes to the 

Spring 2021 schedule. 

COURSE DELIVERY METHODS 

On July 16, UA News sent out an 

email noting that “course delivery 

methods are being updated to reflect 

the evolving nature of planning to 

return to campus in conjunction with 

health and safety guidelines.” 

This email also informed students 

that “a vast majority of all classes 

scheduled are planning to provide 

some type of in-person instruction,” 

which could translate to more hybrid 

courses. Hybrid courses “will include 

both face-to-face interactions and 

online teaching components and 

learning activities,” Stephen Borrelli, 

the Department of Political Science 

Undergraduate Coordinator, said. 

“The 

internet-delivered 

components reduce the time 

traditionally spent in the face-to-face 

portion of the course, but you will still 

have the opportunity for face-to-face 

interactions with your instructor,” 

Borrelli said. 

Borrelli said the hybrid model 

could indicate that the class will meet 

in person during its scheduled time, 

but new classroom capacities could 

limit students to attending only one 

face-to-face class per week. On the 

other class days, the students will 

participate through audio and video. 

“One possibility is that hybrid 

courses will meet in person at the 

scheduled times, but the classrooms 

can only accommodate a portion of the 

class in a socially distanced manner. 

In this type of class, all students will 

be able to attend class in person at 

least one day per week. On the other 

class days the students will participate 

via audio-video. Your instructors for 

the particular classes will be able to 

give you more information on courses 

coded as HY.” 

ONLINE COURSE DELIVERY 

Instructional strategies laid out by 

the University include the availability 

of online content for students in need of 

COVID-related accommodations, the 

use of hybrid approaches to teaching 

and the placement of webcams 

in all classrooms for recording or 

streaming lectures. 

Students who do not feel 

comfortable attending class, or who 

have officially tested positive, must 

contact their professor and adhere to 

syllabus guidelines. 

CLASSROOM SAFETY 

PROCEDURES 

Despite the limited degree of faceto-face 

interaction classes will adhere 

to, safety procedures have already 

been announced. These procedures 

include modifying classrooms, 

moving classes to larger rooms for 

social distancing, requiring the use 

of masks by students and instructors 

while on campus, increasing routine 

cleaning of classrooms and installing 

sanitation stations and hand sanitizers 

near classrooms. 

SYMPTOM TRACKING 

The University is partnering 

with Stay Safe Together, a program 

that allows students to track any 

COVID-19 related symptoms and 

notifies those who have been in 

contact with anyone who has selfreported 

as COVID-19 positive. While 

the symptom tracker is mandatory, 

according to the UA Return Plan, 

the exposure notifications will be 

voluntary. There is no word yet on 

how the University plans on enforcing 

the use of this application. 

OFFICE HOURS 

Students will be able to schedule 

online office hours, unless a faceto-face 

meeting is necessary. In 

this case, masks will be required 

for all participants. 

STAY TUNED 

While it may seem like all bases 

have been covered in terms of 

academic affairs, there is still more to 

come from the University. 

“Details are being determined 

based on the best and most current 

guidance from health experts and 

the UA Systemwide Task Force,” 

according to the University. “Students 

should be watching for an email from 

their academic advisers or college 

about specifics for their schedules.” 

Graphic CW / Garrett Kennedy 

06/09/20 - 70 seats 

06/29/20 - 192 seats 

07/24/20 - 142 seats 

NORTH LAWN HALL ROOM 1000 - CAPACITY OVER TIME

HORIZONS 


Comparing notes: Here’s how UA stacks up to 

other campus plans 

BY KELBY HUTCHISON 

CONTRIBUTING WRITER 

Since the beginning of the 

COVID-19 outbreak, University 

of Alabama officials have been 

developing a return plan for the 

fall semester. But the ambiguity of 

certain aspects of the plan has left 

some students and faculty worried 

that the University is not fully 

prepared for a possible resurgence 

of cases. 

The UA System’s campus return plan, 

released on June 9, is concurrent with the UA 

campus plan and addresses health and safety, 

academic life, student life, finances and 

resources for students. The University’s plan 

requires all students and faculty members 

to wear face coverings when inside campus 

buildings and maintain social distancing 

standards. In addition to these measures, 

the University has called for heightened 

sanitation, routine health questionnaires 

through the Stay Safe Together assessment 

tool and required isolation for those who 

test positive. 

Other universities that are returning to 

on-campus instruction have adopted similar 

policies, but schools within the SEC have 

provided additional details on how they 

plan to keep students safe. 

Mississippi State University’s policies 

are similar to the University of Alabama’s 

but will also require faculty and staff to 

complete a health questionnaire every 24 

hours using the app Everbridge. This is also a 

requirement for all residential students and 

is encouraged for non-residential students. 

They will also set up touch-free temperature 

check stations around campus for students. 

Auburn University will supply wellness 

kits for students who are registered for inperson 

classes. These kits include a reusable 

face covering, hand sanitizer and a digital 

thermometer. The University of Alabama, 

while requiring face coverings, has no plans 

to provide them to students. Faculty and 

staff will receive a free mask. 

The University of Georgia has ordered 

150,000 face masks – enough for two masks 

per student and faculty member – and is 

distributing 60,000 digital thermometers to 

its faculty, staff and students. Georgia has 

also ordered 2.5 million sanitation wipes and 

4,000 gallons of hand sanitizer which will 

be available for distribution in classrooms, 

offices and common areas across its campus. 

Under the plan that the University of 

Alabama has in place, an individual who 

tests positive must isolate for a minimum 

of 10 days after the onset of their symptoms 

and for at least 72 hours after their symptoms 

have disappeared. Those experiencing 

symptoms are required to immediately 

isolate until they receive a negative test 

result; they are allowed to return to normal 

activities after 24 hours. 

Those who test positive but are 

asymptomatic must isolate for 10 days and 

log their temperature twice a day until they 

receive clearance from student and employee 

health administrators. Those who have been 

in close contact with people who have tested 

positive are required to quarantine for 14 

days. These students can return to normal 

activities after being cleared by the Student 

Health Center. 

Plans such as these are common across 

most of these universities, but Mississippi 

CW / Kelby Hutchison 

CW / Kelby Hutchison 

State extends its quarantine requirement to 

14 days for confirmed positives and those 

experiencing symptoms. This ensures a 

better possibility for symptoms to present 

themselves and for those students to recover 

from illness. 

The University of Alabama will require 

a negative test result from students prior 

to returning in the fall. The timeline 

for this requirement was announced on 

July 17. 

UA students who have to quarantine can 

receive meals by delivery, yet the school has 

not commented as to how it will safely get 

food to these individuals and how it will 

protect those delivering food. Neither are 

details given as to how these quarantines 

will be enforced either. 

Schools such as Harvard, Rutgers, 

Princeton and Georgetown have 

announced that they will be largely 

online in the fall with the exception of 

a few in-person classes following the 

University of Southern California’s 

July 1 announcement. UA students have 

several questions about the University’s 

return plan. 

STUDENT PERSPECTIVES 

Katherine Di Valerio, a senior nursing 

major, had questions as to whether or not 

the University’s plan to quarantine people 

was enforceable. 

“If the University is offering in-person 

classes and charging people for in-house 

lectures, they need to back up that action 

with guaranteed safety measures that are 

laid out clearly,” she said. “I believe they 

are doing the best they can. However, I still 

don’t think [the return plan will] be safe 

or effective.” 

Madeline Beyer, a junior majoring in 

computer science and international studies, 

said she doesn’t believe that a safe return 

to campus is possible. 

“If kids return to campus no 

matter how many guidelines 

they put into place there are 

going to be people who just 

don’t care,” she said. “The 

9 

first week back everyone is going to want to 

see their friends they haven’t seen.” 

Beyer is worried that if students return to 

in-person classes, one of her classmates will 

be careless and go partying and infect her 

and her other classmates due to their apathy 

towards the current health crisis. 

“That isn’t fair to the other students 

and that doesn’t seem fair to the teachers,” 

she said. 

Beyer is also concerned about moving 

into the dorms, as she fears her 60- and 

55-year-old parents won’t be able to help 

her if she has to move large pieces of 

furniture. Beyer was also disgruntled with 

the University’s failure to provide masks for 

students. She said the decision shows that 

the University is “budgeting this, and they 

don’t really care.” 

Di Valerio was also disappointed the 

University would not be providing masks 

to students. 

“Masks aren’t a trend, they are a mandated 

medical necessity,” she said. 

Jackson Kerchis, an economics, finance 

and happiness major, believes the University 

can return safely to campus through data 

analysis and segmentation. 

He says it’s easy to be critical of the 

University in these times, but due to the 

uncertainty surrounding everything he 

doesn’t think they’ve “done a bad job.” 

Kerchis said he would like to see the 

University “be a little more definitive and a 

little more decisive” in its planning process, 

so that students know the guidelines they 

will have to live by. 

“Setting up policies and procedures that 

try to focus on helping high-risk individuals 

and letting students that are in good 

health get back into the classroom seems 

like it would be a pretty safe way to go,” 

Kerchis said. 

Graphic CW / Pearl Langley

10 HORIZONS 


CAMPUS 

Navigate the pros and cons of campus buildings 

BY LEAH GOGGINS 

MANAGING EDITOR 

Didn’t get a chance to visit the Capstone before things got shut down? Don’t 

worry, we’ll steer you in the right direction. 

FERGUSON STUDENT CENTER 


AMELIA GAYLE GORGAS LIBRARY 


NOTT HALL 


Ferguson Student Center 

The Ferg will probably look a little different this year, but 

one thing is bound to stay the same: the lunch crowd. Unless 

you have a true craving for Panda Express, give the Ferg a wide 

berth between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. If you’re waiting for the 

crowd to die down, the line always moves fast at the lower level 

Starbucks, and you can put some space between yourself and 

others by taking a walk around the plaza. 

BEST FEATURES 

Safe Zone Center 

Newly remodeled theater 

Chick-fil-A 

Auntie Anne’s 

Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library 

Gorgas Library is the perfect place to study all by yourself in 

the middle of a crowd of people. The upper floors have great 

spaces to spread out and charge your laptop or phone, but 

the lower levels are the true gems. Head to the first floor to 

get a coffee and a smile at Java City, then trek down to either 

basement level for an utterly silent study area. We recommend 

the basement mezzanine left-most corner, right in front of the 

books of U.S. Army records. 

BEST FEATURES 

Reliable printers 

Last minute staplers 

Strong snack selection 

La Mexicana food truck 

Nott Hall 

Home to the Honors College and high up on the list of campus 

buildings to be renamed, Nott Hall is mostly perfect for two 

reasons: first of all, it has several outdoor benches with trees 

for shade; second of all, it has a fantastic people-watching view. 

Regardless of whether you have a class in the building, Nott 

is a great place to relax after you grab lunch from Lloyd Hall, 

located conveniently next door. 

BEST FEATURES 

The bizarrely shaped women’s restroom on 

the ground floor 

CrimsonRide stop 

Food truck parking 

Quick cut-through to Hackberry Lane

HORIZONS 


11 

TOUR 

MANLY HALL 

COMER HALL 

MORGAN HALL 




BIBB GRAVES HALL 


Manly Hall 

Located on Woods Quad, Manly is one of the four campus buildings 

done in the Gothic Revival style, and trust us, they’re hard to miss. With 

its daunting, regal windows and even more daunting stacks of stairwells, 

Manly will certainly photograph well for your Instagram story. Plus, if you 

luck up with a class on the east side of the building, you can watch dance 

students whir past the windows in Clark Hall’s dance studio. 

BEST FEATURES 

Mysteriously humid rooms 

Funky statues outside 

Hidden elevator in an air-conditioned closet 

Just close enough to hear the ROTC students 

yelling 

B.B Comer Hall 

B.B. Comer Hall is one of the many buildings on campus that appear to 

be made of butter. But unlike butter, Comer Hall is drab and incredibly hard 

to navigate. Here’s what we can tell you: if you have a class on the first floor, 

don’t bother going through any doors except for the big glass pair labeled 

“Capstone International.” If your class is on the second floor, you can enter 

anywhere. 

BEST FEATURES 

Eavesdropping on people speaking a language 

you don’t understand 

Windowless classrooms 

Equidistant to the Ferg and Gorgas Library 

Always gummy worms in the vending machine 

Morgan Hall 

You’ll find mostly English classes in Morgan Hall, where the second floor 

is mostly deserted by students and the auditorium takes up much of the 

square footage. One of the great perks of Morgan Hall is its proximity to 

Alston Hall, where you can duck in to grab a snack or coffee from Starbucks 

before your next class. Morgan Hall is also one of few buildings that is 

comfortably close to just about anything you need – except, of course, a 

class at North Lawn Hall. 

BEST FEATURES 

Looking for your professor’s book on display 

Doing your reading on the steps 

Authors visiting Room 301 

Music booming into your classroom when 

Dance! Alabama rehearsals begin 

Bibb Graves Hall 

Propped up on the intersection of University Boulevard and Colonial 

Drive, Bibb Graves Hall and neighboring Reese Phifer Hall are the perfect 

places to have your last class of the day. Both are walking distance to eateries 

and bars on the Strip, and there’s typically a couple food trucks parked on the 

sorority-dominated end of Colonial Drive. Just one big con for Bibb Graves 

– it’s yet another building on the list of those to be potentially renamed, so 

don’t get too attached. 

BEST FEATURES 

One of the largest lecture halls on campus 

Next door to McClure Library 

Waiting for class on the Reese Phifer terrace 

Joyful Java coffee truck

12 HORIZONS 


TRACKING THE MACHINE 

A TIMELINE OF UA’S ‘UNDERGROUND’ FRATERNITY 

College campus tours serve as a 

useful way for prospective students 

to learn about higher education 

institutions and make informed 

decisions on where they will pursue 

their college education. Tours usually 

cover details about various clubs on 

campus, residence life and notable 

historic facts. 

One thing that University of 

Alabama campus tours don’t cover is the 

decades-old controversy surrounding 

an underground society. 

The Machine, or Theta Nu Epsilon, is 

a not-so-secret organization controlled 

by historically white fraternities and 

sororities that operates underground at 

the University. The group has allegedly 

influenced how members of white 

Greek life should vote in campuswide 

elections, most notably Student 

Government Association elections, as 

well as affecting other activities both 

BY JESSA REID BOLLING 

NEWS EDITOR 

on and off campus. 

Stories of alleged Machine actions 

have grown over decades, including 

burglary, cross-burning, vandalism and 

social ostracism, to name a few. Two 

decades ago, the Student Government 

Association was temporarily disbanded 

after a non-Machine presidential 

candidate claimed she was assaulted. 

A former Tuscaloosa school board 

member sued over claims the group 

improperly swayed a city election 

by providing students with booze 

and concert tickets in 2013. While 

actions taken by the Machine have 

become less recognizable and less 

violent in recent years, the organization’s 

past has become clearer with time. 

Various news outlets have 

reported on actions attributed to 

the underground society, though 

the University has never officially 

acknowledged that the Machine exists. 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1999 

About 4,000 copies of The Crimson White were 

allegedly stolen by the Machine in an effort to 

prevent students from reading an exposé on the 

political organization the day before 

SGA elections. 

Esquire Magazine devoted its cover story to 

the Machine. 

The University suspended the SGA until 1996 

after a non-Machine candidate for SGA president 

was assaulted at her home and a burning cross 

was placed in her yard. The victim was reported 

to have sustained “a golf-ball-size bruise on her 

cheek, a busted lip and a knife wound on the side 

of her face.” Months before the attack, a cross had 

been burned on her front lawn and threatening 

messages were found in her mailbox. 

Fabien Zinga, a Black student who ran for 

president as an independent, received racial 

threats that he blamed on the Machine. 

1976 

1983 

1986 

1989 

Cleo Thomas became the first Black SGA 

president and the first African American to 

defeat the Machine. Shortly after, 15 men in 

white sheets burned a cross, threw bottles and 

chanted “revolutionary tunes” on campus. 

The FBI investigated the 1983 SGA election 

after newly-elected independent SGA 

President John Bolus found someone was 

tapping his phone. 

A cross was burned outside of a house that 

Alpha Kappa Alpha, a historically Black sorority, 

was considering using as a residence for 

members. No charges were filed in the cross 

burning, though it was rumored the Machine 

was involved. 

Independent candidate for SGA president 

John Merrill discovered two alleged members 

of the Machine breaking into his office. One 

of Merrill’s campaign workers claimed his car 

had been run off the road while returning to 

campus from home and Merrill’s wife was 

allegedly threatened with rape by the Machine. 

Joey Viselli claimed his father’s restaurant, 

Bama-Bino Pizza, was forced to close after 

Greeks boycotted the restaurant to punish 

Viselli for running as an independent against 

a Machine candidate for SGA president. Viselli 

claimed one of his campaign workers was 

beaten and that he received bomb threats. 

2013 

2015 

2017 

2018 

Emails from alleged members of the Machine 

show sorority and fraternity members were 

coerced to vote a certain way in a local school 

board election in exchange for rewards such 

as limousine transportation to polling stations 

and free drinks at local bars. A candidate who 

lost their bid for the election filed a lawsuit after 

alleged Machine influence. 

The student group “We Are Done” protested 

to demand the University increase diversity 

on campus to combat Machine influence and 

pressure the University to acknowledge the 

existence of the Machine. 

Elliot Spillers was elected the first African American 

SGA president at the University of Alabama in 

nearly 40 years, making him the first non-Machine 

candidate to win the position since 1986. 

Alex Smith, an SGA senator for the College of Arts 

and Sciences at the time, wrote an editorial for The 

Crimson White about her decision to stop working 

with the Machine. 

Jared Hunter was elected SGA president, making 

him the first African American student to win the 

position with the support of The Machine. 

AL.com launched a podcast called “Greek Gods” 

that focused on the history of the Machine and its 

ties to the Student Government Association and 

politics in Alabama.

HORIZONS 


13

14 HORIZONS 


Deans to the rescue: tips and tricks for college life 

BY ANNABELLE BLOMELEY 


Transitioning from high school to college can be stressful and overwhelming. From studying efficiently to networking 

with peers and professors, it can sometimes seem like you’re completely relearning how to go to school. Luckily, the 

deans of several UA colleges have tips and tricks to make sure you’re ready for anything college throws in your path. 

The dean of the Capstone College of Nursing, Dr. Suzanne Prevost, gave some helpful advice for getting into upper-division nursing programs. While her 

advice is geared toward nursing students, it is also important for students considering graduate school, medical school or law school. 

“In addition to being one of the largest majors on campus, nursing is also one of the most competitive,” Prevost said. “Here are three tips for 

clearing that second hurdle of getting admitted to upper-division nursing courses: First, don’t just cram for your exams, learn for a lifetime. 

You will learn things in your first semester courses that you will need to know next year, when you take the upper-division entrance exam; and 

you may also need that information two years later when you take your nursing licensure exam. Second, be part of the action. The College of 

Nursing has four different student organizations that welcome nursing students of any level – including freshmen. Joining one of these groups 

is a great way to meet student mentors who are already in upper-division courses. Third, as nurses, we know that one of the best ways to 

manage your own stress – is by reaching out to help or comfort someone else. One of our mottos is: A nurse’s goal is to be the best part of 

somebody’s worst day.” 

Photo Courtesy / UA Website 

The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Joseph Messina, had similar advice for finding your interests and declaring 

a major. 

“Don’t worry about picking your major right away,” Dean Messina said. “Take different classes across Arts and Sciences and find your fit. I 

changed my major a bunch of times before I settled on biology.” 

Whether you know your major or not, dean Messina said that freshmen can still succeed in college as long as they work hard. 

“The best predictor of success in college is perseverance,” Messina said. “Showing up and participating whether for class, clubs or 

community engagement is how you succeed and finish your degree.” 


Mark Nelson, dean of the College of Communication and Information Sciences, said college is an important time of exploration and 

determining what is important to you. 

“The most difficult transition for many students to truly embrace is the difference in what education means at this point in your life,” 

Dean Nelson said. “Everything you’ve learned up until now has been about education as a process – literally learning for learning’s sake. 

Now you have an entire universe of knowledge at your disposal designed to improve your life and help you improve lives around you. In 

the next four years, your most important work is to find what energizes you. It’s the things you can’t stop thinking about – the concepts and 

ideas that are so interesting you find yourself talking about them with friends after class. The work of college is to find where your great 

passion and the world’s great need intersects.” 


While college students may be known for skipping class, the dean of the Culverhouse College of Business Kay Palan advised students to make the most 

out of their courses. 

“You really need to go to every class – there is abundant 

research that shows us that students who come to class learn 

more and earn better grades than those who don’t,” Palan said. 

“Similarly, we have lots of research that shows us that students 

who get involved in some way – a student organization, 

intramurals, volunteering, etc. – are more likely to stay 

in school because they’re making connections beyond 

the classroom.” 


Charles Karr, the dean of the College of Engineering, offered guidance on 

how to study properly for college tests and exams, which is often the biggest 

hurdle for college students. 

“I recommend students work a little bit on each class every 

day,” Carr said. “Avoid the “cram and purge” model where you 

cram the night before a big exam and then promptly forget 

everything you memorized. Most of you would be appalled if the 

football team chose not to practice Monday through Thursday 

but then spent 12 hours on Friday preparing for a Saturday game 

against Tennessee. Yet, this is the model many students want to 

invoke in preparation for becoming teachers, investors 

or engineers.” 


Tara Williams, the dean of the UA Honors College, said that although this 

upcoming semester is different than anything the campus community has seen 

before, the faculty cares more than ever about students’ success and 

well-being. Here’s Williams’ advice on how to approach professors 

and use them to your advantage: 

“I hope all incoming first-year students will find opportunities 

to connect with their professors, especially through office hours – 

that’s time they have set aside to meet and talk with you, whether 

virtually or in person,” Williams said. “Ask about their areas of 

expertise, share your interests and experiences, or discuss what 

you find intriguing or challenging in the course. It’s normal to 

have questions, and this fall may bring even more than usual; 

office hours are a great place to ask those.” 


Photo Courtesy / UA Website

HORIZONS 


Get involved 

safely 

BY GARRETT KENNEDY 

SENIOR DESIGNER 

Tips for making friends and 

meeting people, plus info on how clubs 

and orgs will be doing things during 

the pandemic. 

Some of the greatest benefits of 

going to college are connecting, 

learning, growing and creating a 

community with your peers. College 

is typically a perfect opportunity for 

securing a network of people who 

can offer you opportunities and aid 

in the future. Plus, it is important 

for your health and mental wellbeing 

to create connections and share 

experiences with others. 

We are heading back to the 

University in the midst of a pandemic. 

It is hard to imagine connecting with 

others while maintaining proper 

precautions to guard against the 

spread of coronavirus. This is an 

entirely new experience for everyone. 

However, the UA community is 

strong, and UA students are very 

resourceful. Students are creating 

new ways to connect (both at the 

University and worldwide). 

The University of Alabama’s 

Return Plan mentions student 

groups and events and provides 

general guidelines to keep students 

safe. According to the released 

plan, student groups can still meet. 

UA Student Life will be identifying 

large spaces on campus that can 

accommodate social distancing for 

groups, although organizations “are 

strongly encouraged to move events 

outside and use online meeting 

platforms when possible.” 

Additionally, “student groups will 

be expected to have social distancing 

and personal protective equipment 

(PPE) plans for events and meetings, 

must abide by all university-imposed 

limitations on event size, and must 

keep attendee lists to assist with 

exposure notification.” With these 

extra restrictions in mind, student 

organizers will be working hard to 

MORE INFORMATION 

make sure that the events they are 

planning are safe for their members. 

There will also be larger campus 

events like Get on Board Day, where 

student organizations can advertise 

themselves to the student body, 

and career fairs, where it is advised 

to “take personal responsibility to 

protect [yourself] and others from 

infection.” These events will also 

follow social distancing guidelines. 

After in-person classes were 

suspended post spring break this 

past year, some student organizations 

found other ways to hold events. 

University Programs (UP) is 

responsible for many of the largest 

campus events each year. After classes 

went virtual, they continued to hold 

virtual events such as virtual trivia 

and movie nights for the rest of the 

school year. UP Assistant Director 

Paige Acker said that attendance 

was fair, but they are hoping that it 

will increase now that students and 

organizers are more familiar with the 

options available to them virtually. 

The Center for Service and 

Leadership (CSL) continued to host 

volunteering events both in person 

and virtually while respecting 

social distancing. Assistant Director 

Zoë Winston shared that there 

was a fairly large drop off in the 

amount of people volunteering, 

much of which can be attributed to 

students leaving campus. 

Leaders in both of these 

organizations have been working 

hard to come up with events and 

methods to continue their work 

safely in the fall. Acker said that 

UP’s mission to “foster community 

and maximize student development 

through campus-wide events 

implemented by UA students” has 

not changed. Weeks of Welcome 

will continue as well as the Tide 

After Dark series with events every 

Thursday-Saturday night, with a mix 

of virtual, in-person, and hybrid 

events. They will also be offering UP 

on Demand which will give students 

access to a UP event (ex. a recently 

RETURN PLAN: 

HEALTHINFO.UA.EDU/RETURNPLAN/ 

UP WEBSITE: UP.SA.UA.EDU 

CSL WEBSITE: LEADANDSERVE.SA.UA.EDU 

released movie) for a period of four 

days to fit into their own schedule. 

As for the CSL, Winston said 

that they will be continuing to offer 

volunteer opportunities similar to 

past years. CSL is planning to host 

large days of volunteering like Ripple 

Effect during Weeks of Welcome, 

and Hands on Tuscaloosa later in 

the year. Additionally, signature 

programs like Serving Bama, Beat 

Auburn Beat Hunger and UA Dance 

Marathon will continue. All of these 

events will be limited by constraints 

15 

of social distancing, and PPE 

will be required. 

Winston and Acker also shared 

their advice for our incoming 

freshmen. Acker advises that 

freshmen “take ownership over your 

UA experience” by seeking “out 

opportunities that seem interesting.” 

In Winston’s mind, the best thing to 

do is “sign up to serve [and] jump 

in feet first!” Ripple Effect is the 

CSL’s first big event, and she thinks 

that will be a great place to make 

some friends. 

Students looking for connection during quarantine have turned to platforms like Zoom to 

stay in contact with friends. CW / Garrett Kennedy 

FRESHMAN FORUM 

Freshman Forum is a network of freshman students 

seeking personal and professional development 

through interactive discussion, leadership training, 

and civic engagement. The program is led by former 

Freshman Forum members who strive to unlock 

participants' unique potential. 

LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP SERVICE 

Requirements: 

Attend all sessions on Wednesdays 

from 4 - 5:30 p.m. 

Participate in the Civic 

Engagement Project 

Pay $40 in program fees 

APP L Y AT F YE . S L . UA . EDU 

De a d l i n e : S e p t emb e r 9 a t 5 p .m. 

UP SOCIAL MEDIA: UAWHATSUP 

CSL INSTAGRAM/TWITTER: VOLUNTEERBAMA 

CSL FACEBOOK: VOLUNTEERATUA

16 HORIZONS 


HORIZONS 


17

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAM 

18 HORIZONS 


TIF builds bonds with International Students 

More than 38,000 students from 

various backgrounds enroll at the 

University of Alabama every year, 

making it easy for them to get lost. 

For international students, there’s 

an added layer of navigating the 

unknown when facing new cultural 

traditions and distance from home. 

Tuscaloosa International Friends 

(TIF) is a program meant to 

relieve those feelings of worry by 

connecting international students 

with Tuscaloosa locals. 

TIF was founded in 1972 and 

sponsors many events, including 

picnics, dinners and parties. Its 

friendship family program, though, 

is its main staple. 

Through the friendship family 

program, international students are 

matched with Tuscaloosa residents 

and given a chance to learn about the 

cultures and customs of Americans 

in Tuscaloosa while also sharing 

parts of their culture. 

Opeyemi Adewumi, a Nigerian 

student pursuing a doctorate in 

human nutrition, met her friendship 

family at a TIF welcome event. 

BY JEFFREY KELLY 

ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR 

“It was so heartwarming to 

know that you have somebody here 

because your parents are not here at 

all,” Adewumi said. “I really loved it.” 

For TIF president Minda Paxton, 

the friendship family program was 

a way to not only help international 

students but also to expose her 

children to global perspectives. 

“I enjoy interacting with people 

from other cultures,” Paxton said. 

“We knew that we could be a 

friendship family and have people 

in our home that would give [us] a 

cultural experience.” 

While students don’t live 

with them, friendship families 

become a contact for international 

students in Tuscaloosa. TIF 

hosts and students can connect 

through annual TIF events, like 

the Welcome Party and President’s 

Reception, or other local events and 

various holiday gatherings. 

Adewumi recalled how meeting 

UA President Stuart Bell at the 

President’s Reception was something 

she’d never forget. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever met him 

after that, and I don’t know when I’m 

ever going to meet him again, so that 

was a great opportunity,” she said. 

Paxton said the friendship family 

program allowed her family to learn 

a lot about the various cultures, 

education, political climates 

and hobbies of its international 

students and their home countries. 

For Paxton, cultural learning is 

truly an exchange. 

Over the years, Paxton’s family 

has been the friendship family for 

students from Nigeria, Germany, 

Austria and a few Asian countries. 

They have shared in the cuisine of 

their respective countries. They 

have been able to help their students 

experience their first high school 

football game and dance. They 

have gone to beaches, lakes and 

parks for hikes. 

Paxton said one of her favorite 

experiences was when the family had 

asked two Japanese students what 

they would like to do in America. 

“They giggled, and they said, ‘We’d 

like to drive a car.’ It’s very rare to 

get to drive a car in Japan,” she said. 

“We took them to the parking lot of 

Coleman Colosseum and let them 

drive our car. They were so delighted 

– It was the funniest thing.” 

Paxton said the friendship family 

program was rewarding, and she’d 

like it if more people got involved. 

“There’s a missed opportunity of 

building relationships and cultural 

understanding and respect that we’re 

really missing out on when you don’t 

engage with these international 

students,” she said. 

Adewumi said the support of TIF 

and the friendship family program 

helped boost her confidence 

and made her acclimation to the 

community “relaxing.” 

“Having that support, I can say, 

has really helped me improve not 

just my social life, even my academic 

grades. It really helped me just have 

the solid foundation that I needed to 

believe in myself and start working,” 

she said. “And if I didn’t have so much 

support, I don’t know if I would be 

able to do as well academically and 

in other areas as I did.” 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CHECK OUT 

TUSCALOOSAINTERNATIONALFRIENDS.COM 

Photos courtesy of Tuscaloosa International Friends

HORIZONS 


19 

A: A GLOBAL EXPERIENCE 

Home away from home: 

What international students bring to UA 

BY HONORINE NTOH YUH 

CULTURE EDITOR 

As the fall semester approaches, 

incoming students at The University of 

Alabama grapple with anxiety amid the 

pandemic and the current enrollment 

regulations. This is especially true for 

international students. 

In light of the updated guidance from 

the Department of Homeland Security, 

the International Student & Scholar 

Services seeks to ensure incoming 

students at The University of Alabama 

maintain valid immigration status 

during the fall semester 2020. 

Those with new initial I-20s and DS- 

2019s must enroll in at least one oncampus 

class as an in-person or hybrid 

course to be eligible for an F-1 or J-1 visa 

or to enter the United States in F-1 or 

J-1 status. Those on initial I-20s and DS- 

2019s cannot enter the U.S. and enroll 

fully online in fall 2020, according to an 

CW / Garrett Kennedy 

email from International Student and 

Scholar Services. 

The International Student and 

Scholar Services further expounded that 

incoming students with new initial I-20s 

and DS-2019s, “may begin your degree 

program by enrolling in online courses 

for the Fall 2020 semester from your 

home country and arrive in-person for 

the Spring 2021 semester, but UA will 

have to change your F-1 I-20 or J-1 DS- 

2019 start dates.” 

These changes and restrictions come 

during an era of globalization, in which 

universities are increasingly welcoming 

international students and faculty on 

their campuses. But as the pandemic 

continues to threaten international 

travel and learning, universities could 

face losing part of a vibrant and diverse 

community. 

INTERNATIONAL IMPACT 

As a student-centered research 

institution and an academic 

community, The University 

of Alabama is seeking to 

further establish itself as a 

hub of cultural diversity 

through a global 

knowledge network. 

The University 

prides itself on being 

at the forefront of 

teaching, research and 

service, as an R-1 school, 

it provides exclusive 

research opportunities for 

all its students. With increased 

enrollment in this era of globalization 

comes the need for a strong, talented pool 

of international faculty and scholars. 

Last fall, international students from 

78 countries and regions made up 3.81 

percent of the total student population 

of 38,103 undergraduate, professional 

and graduate students. The total 

number of actively enrolled 

international students at The 

University of Alabama in fall 

2019, including the 164 graduates 

on Optional Practical Training work 

authorization, was 1,616. 

The economic impact of international 

students enrolled at US colleges and 

universities is in the millions of dollars 

each academic year. 

In 2019, the total contribution 

of international students to the US 

economy was estimated to exceed $40 

billion, factoring in college expenses, 

such as tuition, books, fees and other 

education-related expenses, not leaving 

out living expenses for students and their 

QUICK LINKS 

PRE-ARRIVAL CHECKLIST 

HEALTH RESOURCE GUIDE 

PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 

ACADEMIC SUPPORT 

INTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS 

EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS 

dependents. In Alabama, international 

students contributed $313.7 million 

while locally, international students at 

The University of Alabama made a total 

of $51.2 million in contribution to the 

wider Tuscaloosa economy. 

In essence, international students 

add to the economic, social and cultural 

tapestry of The University of Alabama, 

as The University is increasingly seeking 

to become a strong presence in the 

academic landscape through a global 

and interconnected community. 

While the University is home to over 

38,000 students from a diverse number 

of countries, American students are also 

hosted by a myriad of universities and 

institutions around the world. The study 

abroad program provides UA students 

with study abroad experiences. Among 

the most popular programs are those in 

Spain, South Africa, Greece and England. 

STEPS TOWARD 

INCLUSION 

As the University strives to look for 

ways to improve the experiences and 

outcomes of its entire student body, each 

incoming freshman pledges to abide by 

the Capstone Creed. The Creed, which 

was recently revised to add the phrase 

“promote equity and inclusion,” is meant 

to reflect the values embodied in the 

University’s mission statement. 

“As a member of the University of 

Alabama community, I will pursue 

knowledge, act with fairness, integrity 

and respect; promote equity and 

inclusion; foster individual and civic 

responsibility; and strive for excellence 

in all I do,” the Creed reads. 

The University of Alabama has set its 

sights on fostering a welcoming culture 

by “providing an accepting, inclusive 

community that attracts and supports a 

diverse faculty, staff and student body” 

from all over the world and constantly 

seeking to identify and remove barriers 

to the success of its students by creating a 

fair and supportive space. 

In many cases, this means providing 

SUPPORT PROGRAMS 

GLOBAL OUTREACH 

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES 

ORGANIZATIONS 

EDUCATION WEEK 

additional resources and opportunities 

for international students. In times of 

such rapid change, here are a few ways 

international students can stay connected 

and supported while adjusting to a life 

on campus: 

RESOURCES 

The University is providing tailored 

support to facilitate the adjustment 

and acculturation of its international 

students, scholars, faculty and staff. 

A pre-arrival checklist and a health 

resource guide is available to ensure a 

seamless and anxiety-free transition into 

what will now become their new home. 

Throughout the academic year, 

the international student population 

has access to a plethora of programs, 

activities, student organizations and 

clubs with an international focus. 

Ongoing workshops, events and cultural 

activities are designed to accommodate 

its growing foreign student body. 

The University has also put in place 

academic support services, international 

student scholarships, external 

scholarship avenues and support 

programs and services to accommodate 

the needs of its diverse student body. 

The Capstone International Center 

(CIC) of the University strives for “the 

development of a global perspective 

campus-wide” while providing global 

outreach opportunities through 

networking events. An array of 

university- and community-wide 

initiatives, projects, events and 

organizations are geared toward 

international and American students, 

scholars, faculty, staff and their families 

to engage in intercultural exchange and 

create international friendships. 

International education week, a 

joint initiative of the U.S. Department 

of State and the U.S. Department of 

Education, seeks to “foster inter-cultural 

understanding and promote awareness 

of the diverse cultures at the University 

of Alabama and beyond.”

20 HORIZONS 


Seven free resources to simplify your life on campus 

BY ANNABELLE BLOMELEY 


In college, it’s easy to feel as if everywhere 

you turn a hidden fee (or cup of coffee) 

needs your immediate attention and credit 

card information. But the University offers 

plenty of resources that don’t burn a hole 

in your wallet and save you money, time 

and stress. 

DISABILITY SERVICES 

The Office of Disability Services (ODS), 

located in 1000 Houser Hall, is the best 

campus resource for students searching 

for academic accommodations. The ODS, 

which not only aids students but also strives 

to teach them responsibility, has a webpage 

that offers step-by-step guides for how to 

navigate college life with a disability and 

how to use the office’s services to the full 

extent. Whether you need extra time on 

tests or the assistance of a notetaker, the 

ODS can better prepare you for academic 

success throughout your time on campus. 

THE CAREER CENTER 

The idea of finding a job during or after 

college can be stressful for anyone. For 

UA students, the Career Center is here 

to help. Found in 3400 Ferguson Student 

Center and online, the Career Center can 

answer students’ questions from deciding 

on a major, networking with UA alumni 

and planning a future career path. At 

the Career Center, students can borrow 

professional clothes for interviews, have 

their resume revised by trained peers and 

staff, practice interview skills independently 

CW / Rebecca Griesbach 

or with advisors and so much more. With 

all of these free resources, the Career Center 

can help students feel confident about 

entering the workforce. 

THE WOMEN AND GENDER 

RESOURCE CENTER 

The Women and Gender Resource 

Center (WGRC) is an important free 

resource for students to keep in mind 

during their time at the University. The 

center provides free and confidential 

aid to those affected by interpersonal 

violence, regardless of gender or when the 

violence occurred. The WGRC provides 

individual and group counseling, crisis 

intervention, emotional support for hospital 

visits, the locating of safe housing, the 

exploration of legal and judicial options 

and more for those affected by abuse or 

harassment. The WGRC can be found 

online or in the South Lawn Office Building 

and stands as a valuable source for any UA 

student who needs it. 

THE WRITING CENTER 

In high school, students often hear 

about the differences between writing 

for high school versus college. At the 

Writing Center, which is found in 322 

Lloyd Hall, students can have one-on-one 

meetings with trained writing consultants 

to provide them with more confidence in 

their essays, research papers or even cover 

letters. The Writing Center helps students 

of all colleges brainstorm, organize, cite 

properly and revise drafts. To get in touch 

with the experts at the Writing Center, 

schedule an appointment on their website 

or come to drop-in hours at Gorgas Library 

on weeknights to get your paper into 

perfect shape. 

SAFE ZONE 

Found in 2419 Ferguson Student Center, 

the Safe Zone Center provides resources for 

UA members of the LGBT community and 

their allies. Along with contributing a safe 

space lounge for studying and relaxation, 

the Safe Zone also hosts a support group 

for first-year students called The Rainbow 

Connection and a monthly book club 

named Alphabet Soup, among many other 

events and outreaches. The Safe Zone Center 

can also advocate for and give support to 

students through student assistants and 

ambassadors. 

UA LIBRARIES 

Libraries are known for their vast 

amounts of resources, and the UA libraries 

are no different. Between the five libraries 

on campus, there are study rooms, public 

computers, special collections, 3D printers, 

whisper booths, presentation rooms, a 

digital media center and so much more. 

Each library also employs research 

specialists and liaisons that can aid students 

with research across every field and major 

at the university. Students can also access 

Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative 

Cloud for free, among dozens of other 

online resources. To find out more about 

what each library can do for you, visit the 

library resources online. 

UA RECREATION 

While most students are aware of the UA 

Recreation Center, which includes courts 

for several sports, workout equipment and 

pools, the center has many other resources 

that are free for the UA community. There 

are free group exercise classes ranging from 

yoga to cardio and can be found in person 

or through Instagram live streams or the 

Youtube channel. University Recreation 

also hosts UA’s vast collection of intramural 

sports and sports clubs. Whether you’re 

interested in basketball or ultimate frisbee, 

UA Recreation has a team or resource to 

keep students engaged in a healthy lifestyle 

while on campus. Find them online for 

more information.

HORIZONS 


11. 

3. 4. 

1. 2. 

6. 

7. 

10. 

8. 

21 

Let’s go local: Takeout, trinkets, and treasures near you 

BY JEFFREY KELLY 

ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR 

At a school the size of a small town, 

it can be easy to forget that anything 

exists outside of the University’s shadow. 

But while chain restaurants and stores 

are conveniently placed nearby, there is 

more of Tuscaloosa to explore. 

A wide variety of local restaurants, 

boutiques and stores await UA students, 

many of which provide takeout, pre-order 

and outdoor eating options. Tucked away into 

corners or sitting boldly in the downtown 

area, many businesses wait to add something 

different to your daily routine. 

COFFEE SHOPS 

1. Monarch Espresso Bar - Located near 

the Government Plaza, on 22nd Avenue, 

Monarch Espresso Bar serves up a unique, 

minimalist aesthetic punctuated by a stellar 

merch collection and excellent service. Its 

menu includes delicious and hearty items like 

bacon cheddar quiche and vanilla sweet cream 

cold brew. However, what stands out most of 

all is the owners Paul and Audrey Vermilyea’s 

goal to create “a place that unreservedly 

embraces everybody.” 

2. Turbo Coffee - On Eighth Street, a 

large black and white sign signals customers 

over to a peaceful coffee shop in downtown 

Tuscaloosa. At Turbo Coffee, customers can 

enjoy a variety of smoothie bowls, teas and 

coffees. If they can’t get enough of Turbo 

Coffee’s special blends, customers can 

purchase one of three Turbo Coffee Roasters 

to enjoy at home. 

3. Heritage House Coffee - With two 

locations, one on Jack Warner Parkway 

and another on Towncenter Boulevard, 

Heritage House Coffee offers two distinct 

atmospheres. At its Riverfront location, 

customers get to enjoy a “bright and airy 

feel,” and at its Towncenter location, they get 

“a dark, moodier vibe” for when customers 

want to hide away. Though the location might 

change, both locations serve a plethora of 

sweet and savory goods paired with specialty 

drinks such as the Bama Blitz, a roast coffee 

topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce, 

cinnamon and vanilla. 

4. UPerk - Along 20th Avenue behind 

Tuscaloosa Blueprinting lies UPerk. The 

coffee shop sells a wide selection of breakfast 

and lunch items, readily available to be paired 

with one of their specialty drinks like the 

Swirl, which is espresso and milk with dark 

and white chocolate syrup. On occasion, 

patrons can enjoy an open mic night or a 

community conversation. 

RESTAURANTS 

5. Cheese Louise - Always on the move, 

Cheese Louise is a gourmet grilled cheese 

food truck that skillfully elevates the simple 

meal. Its owners’ main goal is to make “more 

than your usual Kraft single and white 

bread.” To find out where Cheese Louise 

is, follow the business on Instagram at 

@cheeselouisetuscaloosa. 

6. Catfish Heaven - Located in the 

Historic West End on 21st Street, Catfish 

Heaven has put together a menu that will 

“quiet your growling stomach.” The menu 

includes a famous catfish fillet and a variety 

of trout and hot wings along with 

sides like coleslaw and 

hush puppies. All 

of their meals are 

prepared fresh daily, 

making them “a superior 

seafood restaurant.” 

7. River Tuscaloosa - 

Nestled on the banks of 

the Black Warrior River, 

River is a restaurant that 

offers an extensive brunch 

and dinner menu including 

farm carrot hummus, heirloom 

tomato flatbread and ribeye 

JACK 

WAR NER 

GREENSBORO AVE 

alongside a magnificent view of 

the river. At River Tuscaloosa, staff 

hope to transport their patrons to “a 

hospitably appointed dining room with 

a spacious terrace where great food and 

personal service are always the order of 

the day.” 

8. Rama Jama’s - Right on Paul W. Bryant 

Drive, Rama Jama’ sits in the company of 

Bryant-Denny Stadium. At this restaurant, 

patrons can enjoy all-day breakfast and 

sandwiches while also appreciating the 

Alabama football relics that cover the walls. 

STORES 

9. Oz Music - Tucked behind Flowers 

Baking Co., Tuscaloosa’s local record store 

stands on 14th Street. At Oz Music, people 

can pick up movies, books and used or new 

vinyl and CDs of their favorite musicians. 

They also stay up-to-date on current music 

releases. 

10. Ernest and Hadley Booksellers - On 

PKWY 

9. 

Seventh 

Street, 

this indie 

bookstore 

offers a unique 

selection of novels 

and other materials 

from local, regional 

and international sources. 

They also host book signings 

and publish work by local, independent 

publishers, authors and artists. 

11. The Tuscaloosa River Market - 

Sitting on the Black Warrior River, the 

Tuscaloosa River Market hosts weekly 

farmers markets where patrons can 

purchase items like blueberries, high-quality 

honey, pickled okra, jams and jellies from 

local farmers. 

5. 

PAUL W BRYANT DR 

QUEEN CITY AVE 

15TH STREET 

UNIVERSITY BLVD 

12TH AVE 

Graphic CW / Pearl Langley 

HACKLEBERRY LN 

Cheese Louise is not pictured on 

this map because it’s always moving. 

IG: @cheeselouisetuscaloosa

22 HORIZONS 


HORIZONS 


23

24 HORIZONS 


Behind Enemy Lines: Podcast Edition 

The new CW Sports Podcast sat down with sports editors from different SEC student 

newspapers and asked their opinion on fall sports in 2020. Here are a few of their 

takes on what’s going to happen over the next few months. 

COLLIN SPEICHER 

THE DAILY GAMECOCK 

It sucks to say that [there might not be a 

football season] because SEC football is one 

of the best things in the entire country. I think 

there are too many things to make this specific 

season happen. I think the most reasonable 

idea will be to have fall sports in the spring. 

JAMES MIZESHIEMER 

THE MISSISSIPPIAN 

JAKE WEESE 

THE AUBURN PLAINSMAN 

I think we’ll start on time but with no fans 

as a best-case scenario. I could see the SEC 

delaying until October or going conference 

play only. I kind of see that as the only way to 

go. I would say we should have fall sports, but 

only if they’re 100% certain that they can keep 

the players safe and for the most part, they 

can go about their daily activities. 

The SEC is going to do everything in their power 

to make sure that fall sports get played... You’re 

putting athletes at a huge amount of risk and 

you’re dealing with a ton of logistical problems. I 

get it that it’s a revenue thing, but I think the idea of 

delaying the season would be incredibly beneficial. 

MICHAEL SAULS 

THE DAILY GAMECOCK 

LYDIA PALMER 

THE REFLECTOR 

I personally am very timid of large crowds right 

now because of the high likelihood of exposure. 

I think that if [fall sports] do happen then extra 

precautions will have to be taken to provide a safe 

environment for both players and fans. 

As much as I really want fall sports, I cannot see a 

way they can make it where it’s safe.I just don’t think 

we can do it while keeping everybody safe at the 

same time. I would not be surprised if the SEC found 

a way to have sports because of the money factor. 

RYAN SCHUMPERT 

THE DAILY BEACON 

I think it is likely that we play some sort of sports 

this fall. I think it’s kind of a sport-by-sport basis. I 

don’t think there should be fans in the stands, but 

I think you can go and play a football season. The 

NCAA isn’t really providing any guidance, there is no 

one person above college football, so we have all 

these different leagues going in different directions. 

First thing first is the players’ safety... and if that can’t 

be guaranteed, then I don’t think they should be 

afraid to pull the plug on the season. 

SIMON GIBBS 

THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER 

There’s a lot of money on the line when it comes to 

football and it seems at this point [the NCAA] will do 

anything to revive the football season. In the current 

conditions and climate, there is absolutely no way we 

should have a football season. It seems like each school 

in the SEC has no concrete plan for its student body. It 

seems like they are crossing their fingers and hoping for 

the best here.

HORIZONS 


25 

Spring could be the perfect storm for sports fans 

BY ALEXANDER PLANT 

SPORTS EDITOR 

The potential for having collegiate 

sports in the near future 

can be summed up in one 

word: uncertain. This prediction is pure 

speculation, but given the circumstances, 

it’s a fairly educated guess. 

Fall sports are not going to happen. 

Rumors of conference-only play came true 

July 10, when the PAC-12 announced they 

would no longer play 30-plus games due 

to the potential spread of COVID-19. As 

the summer fades into fall, more and more 

sports leaders are coming to a consensus 

that COVID-19 cannot be contained in an 

open world right now. 

As August rambles on, more games, 

practices and training are being delayed. 

Let’s just face the facts and bite the bullet. 

Fall sports will not happen, with the only 

possible exception being the NBA. 

The NBA “bubble” was the best course of 

action for containing the virus and stopping 

the spread. But the NBA has two luxuries 

that most other sports leagues don’t: a small 

number of players to protect and contracts 

to incentivize play. 

The MLB and NFL both have contracts 

to offer money in return for play this fall (as 

always), but they lack the compressed roster 

size to go into a bubble—the 19 positive 

cases with the Miami Marlins only proves 

the point even further. Some college sports 

have compact roster sizes but lack the ability 

to influence their athletes with money 

unless something dramatic changes in the 

next month. 

If fall sports get 

postponed to the 

spring, 2021 will be 

the greatest year of 

sports ever. 

The absence of those necessities brings 

the point back around to the plain fact 

that there is no way to play sports this 

fall without putting athletes in danger of 

contracting COVID-19. We must postpone 

all sports until the spring, when there is a 

hope for a vaccine and time for this virus to 

stop spreading so rapidly. 

On a more positive note, look at 

2021 with this mindset: If fall sports get 

postponed to the spring, 2021 will be the 

greatest year of sports ever. 

Think about it. Sitting in your living 

room with 30 TVs, all with sports on. In 

April, you could look at one screen and 

the NFC Divisional round is in the fourth 

quarter, tied-up between the Cowboys and 

the 49ers. On another screen is the NCAA 

tournament, and on another is Montana 

Fouts on the mound in the college softball 

national championship, looking for a 

CW / Leah Goggins 

perfect game to take the title. 

In the spring, there would be your regular 

college and professional sports like baseball, 

basketball, tennis, track and field, etc. In 

addition, there will also be college football, 

NFL football, summer Olympic sports and 

potentially the 2020 MLB World Series if it 

does not get canceled. The best part about 

this outlook is that these sports moving 

their seasons will mean that they have two 

seasons in one year. An NFL season that 

begins in February could be over in May, 

and then two months later teams could be 

gearing up for the next season at fall camp. 

This is a potential gold mine for sports fans 

from all across the spectrum. From soccer 

to tennis to baseball, the possibilities of 

what’s on at one time is endless. 

Centralizing and planning for that 

kind of future in terms of the economy is 

beneficial as well. American sports towns 

like Tuscaloosa have jobs and businesses that 

solely profit from the fans of college football. 

If we had a season right now, there would 

most likely be no fans allowed, no tailgates 

on the Quad and no watch parties at bars. 

That kind of economic loss amounts to over 

$200 million dollars, which is enormously 

impactful in a city of 100,000 people. 

Moving sports back to the spring means 

there is potential for businesses to still make 

some of that money back. The opposing 

arguments for this suggestion would be 

substantial at any other point in time, but 

not in a pandemic. With 4 million cases and 

150,000 deaths, this is no time for sports. 

It’s time to slow the spread and hold on 

until the spring, when you can ditch your 

responsibilities and check out the Wimbledon 

final at the same time as the Iron Bowl.

26 HORIZONS 


FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS 

With fall sports in flux, anything could happen on the field. 

Here’s our Sports Editor’s predictions for the 2020 season. 

BY ALEXANDER PLANT 

SPORTS EDITOR 

After what most would call a 

disappointing season due its lack of 

national championship contention, 

Alabama football is once again looking 

for championship number 18. Even 

with the loss of NFL top draft picks Tua 

Tagovailoa, Jedrick Wills, Henry Ruggs, 

Jerry Jeudy and Xavier McKinney, 

the team has plenty of deep talent to 

continue the endless cycle of “next 

man up.” 

Redshirt junior Mac Jones will 

most likely take over the starting role 

at quarterback. Jones assumed the 

starting job after Tagovailoa missed the 

remainder of the 2019-20 season due 

USC (Pac-12) (8-5) 

Before the game was canceled, USC came 

into the 2020 season as a heavy 14-point 

underdog versus Alabama. Quarterback 

Kedon Slovis finished the Trojan’s 8-5 season 

after quarterback J.T. Daniels was injured in 

the home opener and later transferred to 

Georgia. Slovis had a promising end to his 

first season throwing for over 3500 yards 

and 30 touchdowns. However, the Trojans 

only won two of their six games against top 

25 opponents last season and lost those four 

games by an average of 18.5 points. There 

are some key holes to fill from last season 

as star offensive tackle Austin Jackson and 

wide receiver Michael Pittman both left 

through the NFL Draft. 

Alabama opened across most betting 

sites as a 14-point favorite against USC. In 

its last meeting, Alabama dominated USC 

52 – 6 with former quarterback Jalen Hurts 

earning his starting role in the Crimson 

Tide’s 14 – 1 season. This year would have 

likely shown similar numbers. There’s 

no way USC could stand up to Bama’s 

improving defense and explosive offense. 

Georgia State (Sun Belt) (7-6) 

Although Georgia State is viewed by 

most as a “cupcake game” for Alabama, 

the Panthers pulled off two major upset 

wins against Tennessee and Army in 

2019. Quarterback and running back Dan 

Ellington and Tra Barnett played a key role 

in both games on the ground, rushing for a 

combined 303 yards and 3 touchdowns. 

Overall, Georgia State’s offense is focused 

on the ground attack. The Panthers ranked 

No. 12 in Division I with 241.6 rushing 

yards per game. This style of offense worked 

well against weaker defensive fronts in 

2019 but did not fare well against good 

rush defenses. Both Appalachian State and 

to suffering a dislocated hip in the game 

versus Mississippi State. In the 2019- 

20 season, Jones passed for 1503 yards 

and 14 touchdowns, completing 68.8% 

of his passes and throwing only three 

interceptions. While not as explosive 

as Tagovailoa, Jones provides the game 

manager style that Nick Saban offenses 

have had under quarterbacks like A.J. 

McCarron, Greg McElroy and Jake 

Coker. While this style of offense does 

not provide as much fan excitement, 

it puts the ball into the hands of the 

running back more often and tends to 

take more time off the clock. 

Look for Alabama to slow down on 

offense this year as a sleepy defense hits 

its stride. This will result in less scoring 

but potentially more wins, especially 

later in the season. 

Georgia Southern ranked in the top 35 in 

rush defense in 2019 and were able to stop 

the run game vs Georgia State and which 

led to their victory. 

Despite a struggle against the run in 

2019, Alabama has ranked in the top 10 in 

rush defense eight of the last 10 years. With 

the return of senior Dylan Moses, Alabama’s 

run defense should return to its success of 

years past. 

In terms of defense, Georgia State, like 

many schools, will be outmanned at almost 

every position group. The pure talent at 

linemen, wide receiver and running back 

will be more than enough to outpace the 

Panther defense that ranked 110 last year in 

yards per game. 

Georgia (SEC) (12-2) 

The Bulldogs will serve as the early 

challenge in Alabama’s season. Georgia is 

coming off a very impressive 2019 season, 

finishing with a statement win over No. 

7 Baylor (26-14). Since the hiring of head 

coach Kirby Smart, the defense has been the 

key to win games against top 25 opponents. 

Georgia has ranked in the top 15 in total 

defense since Smart was hired away from 

his former job as the Alabama defensive 

coordinator. 

The big question for Georgia is how 

the team will compensate for key losses 

on offense. Losing quarterback Jake 

Fromm, three offensive linemen and 

running back D’Andre Swift to the draft 

left the Georgia offense with many key 

positions to fill during the offseason. The 

Bulldogs received a break on July 13 when 

former five star quarterback JT Daniels 

was granted immediate eligibility after 

transferring from USC. Although fellow 

transfer Jamie Newman is expected to start 

the season at quarterback, Daniels should 

receive a fair share of playing time as the 

season progresses. 

A reinvigorated Alabama defense should 

be enough to halt the recovering Bulldog 

offense early in the season. Without the 

game experience in a new offensive scheme, 

Daniels and Newman will most likely be 

overwhelmed in a defensive battle. 

Kent State (MAC) (7-6) 

Like Georgia State, Kent State would be 

Alabama’s second “cupcake game” of the 

year. Dual-threat quarterback Dustin Crum 

led the team in both passing and rushing in 

2019 and will once again be the focal point 

of the offense as he begins his senior year. 

On the defensive end, Kent State 

struggled with a tough start to the season. 

The Golden Flashes ranked 121 in yards per 

game, allowing 470. Even though the team 

has a lot of room to improve, expect them to 

flop against Alabama. 

Ole Miss (SEC) (4-8) 

After three years of landslide victories 

for Alabama, the close matchups like the 

ones from 2014-2016 are a distant memory. 

The hiring of former Alabama offensive 

coordinator Lane Kiffin should make the 

Rebels a more explosive offensive team with 

returning dual-threat quarterback John 

Rhys Plumlee. 

Plumlee led the charge for Ole Miss 

against defending national champions LSU, 

combining for 335 total yards and 4 rushing 

touchdowns. Dual-threat quarterbacks have 

been a problem for Alabama under Nick 

Saban. Even though the Rebels struggled 

last season, the team still managed to score 

31 points, which was the third most that 

Alabama allowed in the 2019 season. 

Kiffin and Ole Miss together should 

give Alabama enough trouble to keep the 

game competitive throughout the first 

half. But like most games Alabama plays, 

the Crimson Tide offense usually breaks 

through opposing defenses in the second 

half and closes out the game quickly. Expect 

that to happen in this case as well. 

Arkansas (SEC) (2-10) 

In the last decade, Arkansas has seen 

a drastic decrease in both offensive and 

defensive production, and it shows in 

the record book. With close wins against 

Portland State and Colorado State, Arkansas 

faced what most would call embarrassing 

losses to San Jose State and Western 

Kentucky. In 2019, the Razorbacks ranked 

109 and 112 in offensive and defensive yards 

per game respectively. 

With struggles on both sides of the ball, 

the Razorbacks will have a tough time 

gaining any traction against a perennial 

playoff contender like Alabama. One bright 

spot for the team will be the play of transfer 

quarterback Felipe Franks from Florida. 

Before suffering a broken ankle, Franks put 

together a solid career at Florida. However, 

consistently completing passes has been 

an ongoing struggle for him, posting a 

career 59.1 completion percentage. Against 

the veteran leadership of linebacker 

Dylan Moses and cornerback Patrick 

Surtain, Franks will most likely continue 

his struggles. 

There doesn’t seem to be much of a 

change for Arkansas going into the 2020 

season. Alabama has won the last 13 

contests between the two teams and lately 

dominated the last four by an average of 

31.5 points. 

Mississippi State (SEC) (6-7) 

Mississippi State had a fairly average 

season on both ends of the field. With 

the arrival of new head coach Mike Leach 

and transfer quarterback K.J. Costello, 

the Bulldogs look to have a much 

more successful season than last year’s 

disappointing finish. 

The main problem for Mississippi 

State’s lack of offensive firepower was the 

absence of a stable quarterback. Initial 

starter Tommy Stevens battled injuries 

throughout the 2019 season causing true 

freshman Garrett Shrader to lead the 

offense with a major lack of experience 

facing SEC defenses. 

x 

VS. 

Georgia State 

57-10 

Georgia 

21-17 

Kent State 

52-13 

x 

Ole Miss 

47-28 

Arkansas 

42-14 

Mississippi State 

37-17 

Tennessee 

17-6 

LSU 

43-23 

Tennessee Martin 

62-13 

x 

Texas A&M 

31-13 

Auburn 

23-17

HORIZONS 


Now with Leach’s “air raid” offensive 

style and Costello’s experience, the 

Bulldogs can expect much better 

production from their otherwise 

talented roster. 

Both teams will get better as the 

season progresses, but Alabama should 

have playoff aspirations while Mississippi 

State will most likely be competing for a 

solid bowl game. Over the last four years, 

Alabama has finished in the top 15 in pass 

yards allowed per game, mostly due to a 

combination of good pass rushers and 

great cover corners. Expect the Crimson 

Tide to be more focused and ready to 

defend the pass with a complicated blitz 

package that will overwhelm the Bulldog 

offensive line. 

Tennessee (SEC) (8-5) 

After struggling under former 

Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy 

Pruitt, Tennessee found its stride 

winning its last six games. Although the 

offensive side of the ball hasn’t seen much 

improvement since Pruitt’s arrival, the 

defense has seen major changes, moving 

from 51 to 29 in total defense rankings. 

Though Tennessee hasn’t had 

Alabama levels of success, there is always 

the chance that the game will be close 

like the infamous “double block game” in 

2009. In one year’s time, Pruitt managed 

to close the gap of the defeat from 37 to 

22 points. Tennessee recruiting has also 

seen a major jump in recruiting, finishing 

in the top 15 over the last two years. 

With new added depth and a defense 

falling in line under Pruitt’s leadership, 

expect this matchup to be a low-scoring 

clash of defenses. 

LSU (SEC) (15-0) 

The defending national champions 

come into the 2020 season with way 

more questions than answers. After a 

historic regular season and playoff run 

led by Heisman winner Joe Burrow, the 

LSU Tigers have a lot of talent to replace. 

Twenty players from the 2019 team are 

currently on NFL rosters, leaving 20 

starting positions to fill. 

LSU has had top 10 recruiting classes 

for three of the last four years, which will 

play well into their depth chart filling. 

However, most of these players lack 

the experience it takes to compete at a 

national championship level, meaning 

the Tigers will likely struggle against 

teams like Alabama this season. 

Veteran seniors like Dylan Moses 

and Devonte Smith should prove to 

be a problem for a new LSU defense. 

Before 2019, Alabama had won the last 8 

matchups between these two teams by an 

average of 15 points. Expect more of that 

this upcoming season. 

Tennessee Martin (OVO) (7-5) 

Once again, Alabama will face another 

non-Power 5 team and be heavily favored. 

Coach Nick Saban has been adamant in 

the past about not overlooking smaller 

teams like Tennessee Martin. It’s been 

13 years since Alabama suffered its 

worst defeat under Nick Saban, losing 

to Louisiana Monroe 21 to 14 in Bryant 

Denny Stadium. A similar situation 

happened in 2018 when Alabama went 

into halftime vs the Citadel tied 10 to 10. 

UT Martin has not fared well against 

SEC opponents over the last five years, 

going 0-6 and losing by an average of 

42.5 points. Expect nothing less from 

arguably the best team in the SEC 

this year. 

Texas A&M (SEC) 

This Texas A&M team under Nick 

Saban’s former assistant Jimbo Fisher 

will prove to be a tough opponent. 

Fisher has been with the Aggie program 

since 2018, which allowed him to bring 

in his talent with experience starting 

this year. 

A&M’s 2019 season did not play 

out as well as hoped, but the Aggies 

only suffered losses to Top 10 teams. 

Facing playoff contenders like Alabama, 

Clemson, Georgia and LSU in one season 

can cause a team to struggle mentally 

and physically. 

In 2020, Texas A&M oriinginally had a 

relatively easier schedule, taking Georgia 

and Clemson away from last year and 

adding weaker teams like Vanderbilt and 

Colorado. But the talent has not come 

together for A&M since the departure of 

27 

infamous quarterback Johnny Manziel, 

and it most likely will not this year. 

Expect more of the same from the last 

seven matchups, as Alabama has won 

them all. 

Auburn (SEC) (9-4) 

The Iron Bowl is regarded as one of 

the best rivalries in all of sports history. 

No matter the result of the season as 

a whole, you can never predict the 

outcome of the last game in the Tigers’ 

and Crimson Tide’s season. 

Last year’s Iron Bowl served as one 

of the more classic games in its famed 

history. This year should provide more 

of the same. With both teams looking 

ahead to a potential playoff and newer 

quarterbacks in Mac Jones and Bo Nix, 

optimism and hope are both words that 

fan bases use to describe how they view 

the success of the season. 

Unlike last season, the defenses will 

play a key role in the battle. The score 

48 to 45 will be a longshot this year, as 

both offenses will be playing at a much 

slower pace, with good running backs 

at the helm of the offense. 

Alabama’s pure talent, like most 

games, will be the driving factor in their 

victory. Skill positions and linebackers 

will play key roles in turnovers and 

big plays. A matchup similar to the 

2017 26 to 14 Auburn victory will 

take place; however, the win will go 

to Alabama.

28 HORIZONS 


SEASON PREVIEWS 

Tide gymnastics has shoes to fill in 2021 season 

BY ROBERT CORTEZ 


When spectators last saw Alabama 

gymnastics, the team was flying high and 

looking to avenge a loss against Auburn in 

Birmingham, but COVID-19 hit the United 

States and ended the season. 

Despite not knowing what could have 

been for the 2020 Alabama gymnastics 

team, there were many bright spots to reflect 

on throughout the season. The most notable 

was on January 31, when rising senior Lexi 

Graber scored a 9.875 on beam to capture 

the program’s first win in Baton Rouge, 

Louisiana since 2012. 

On February 14, rising junior Griffin 

James led off the floor rotation and tore 

her Achilles tendon on the first pass, 

leaving her unable to finish her routine. 

The team decided to dedicate the rest of its 

BARS 

Kylie Dickson (senior) 

9.84 average in 2020 

Lexi Graber (senior) 


Jensie Givens (junior) 


Emily Gaskins (junior) 


9.86 average in 2019 

Makarri Doggette (sophomore) 


Four event titles on bars in 2020 

Shania Adams (freshman) 

2016 Team USA member 

2019 uneven bars champion at 

The American Classic 

Placed 8th on the uneven bars 

at 2018 USA Championships 

BEAM 

Alonza Klopfer (senior) 


Cameron Machado (freshman) 

3x Junior Olympic National 

Championship Qualifier 

Balance beam champion 

at the 2019 Region 7 

Gymnastics Championships 

Shania Adams 

Makarri Doggette 


Luisa Blanco 

Ranked 25th nationally on beam 

Three event titles in 2020 


Lexi Graber (senior) 


One event title on beam in 2020 

VAULT 

Ella Burgess (sophomore) 


Sarah Duhe (freshman) 

Lousiana State Vault Champion 

Bronze medalist in 2019 at 

Region 8 Championships 

Luisa Blanco (sophomore) 


Markarri Doggette 

9.875 against Missouri 

Shallon Olsen (junior) 


One event title on 

vault in 2020 

Lexi Graber 


Four event titles on 

vault in 2020 

FLOOR 

Alonza Klopfer 


Shallon Olsen 


Griffin James (junior) 

9.82 average in 2020* 

Luisa Blanco 


Two event titles on floor in 2020 

Makarri Doggette 


One event title on floor in 2020 

Lexi Graber 


Ranked 23rd nationally on floor 

Three event titles on floor in 2020 

*does not include performance 

against Arkansas 

Returning seniors give Alabama softball an edge 

BY ROBERT CORTEZ 


UA softball headed into the 2020 season 

ranked No. 1 according to the USA Softball 

poll. But the team could not find its groove 

in the latter half of the season, collecting a 

14-8 record and struggling to close in the 

seventh inning. Despite early struggles, 

the team rallied and won its SEC series 

against Arkansas. The series looked to be 

the turning point for the Crimson Tide, but 

those were the last games of the 2020 season. 

floor performances to James and posted a 

score of 49.525, an average of 9.9 for each 

performance. 

Rising sophomores Makarri Doggette 

and Luisa Blanco secured starting roles in the 

lineup during their first year in Tuscaloosa. 

Doggette and Blanco were named to the 

SEC All-Freshman team, both won an SEC 

specialist of the week accolade and each 

collected five event titles throughout the 

season. Doggette was also named an All- 

American on the uneven bars. 

There will be shoes to fill in the vault, 

bars and floor lineup since seniors Shea 

Mahoney and Maddie Desch graduated. 

Graber looks to lead the pack this upcoming 

season as a staple in the all-around lineup 

since her freshman year. She was the 20th 

ranked all-around competitor nationally in 

2019. Graber had a team-leading 10 meet 

titles in 2019, eight-event titles and two allaround 

titles. 

All seven seniors will return to Tuscaloosa 

for the 2021 season, taking advantage 

of the extra year of eligibility granted by 

the NCAA. 

Senior Elissa Brown and graduate 

transfer Alexis Mack will provide speed at 

the top of the lineup and can cause havoc 

on the basepaths. Brown collected 49 stolen 

bases in the 2019 season. 

Senior Bailey Hemphill will supply the 

power as she holds program records for 

single-season home runs at 26 and RBIs at 

84. In 2019, she led the nation in RBIs. 2019 

SEC Pitcher of the Year and senior Sarah 

Cornell will get to strike out opponents 

one last time in Rhoads Stadium. 

Alabama will bring a recruiting 

class into Tuscaloosa that has three 

players in the top 25 of the Extra Inning 

Elite 100 rankings. The recruiting class 

is highlighted by Bailey Dowling. Dowling, 

who is ranked No. 2 in her class according 

to Softball America, is an infielder known 

for her power. Alex Salter, ranked 11th, 

and Jaala Torrence, ranked 23rd, 

are the other two players 

ranked in the top 25. 

CW / Hannah Saad 

LINEUPS

HORIZONS 


29 

WOMEN’S 

BASKETBALL 

Women’s basketball saw major 

improvements on both ends of the 

floor. Coach Kristy Curry was able to 

motivate the team to bounce back from 

a disappointing 2018-19 season where 

the team ended with a 14-17 record. The 

team picked up the pace on offense and 

finished its shortened 2019-20 season at 

No. 49 in the nation in points per game, 

scoring an average of 71.7 points. 

Like last season, the team will be led 

by the all-around point guard, redshirt 

senior Jordan Lewis. Lewis capped off the 

2019 season ranked No. 15 in the SEC in 

scoring (13.1), No. 8 in assists (3.9), No. 

9 in assist/turnover ratio (1.5) and No. 

9 in free throw percentage (72.4%). The 

offensive-minded floor general showed 

major improvement, hitting a careerbest 

44 threes in a shortened season and 

shooting a career-best 34% from behind 

the arc. 

The leadership of both Curry and 

Lewis should boost the Crimson Tide 

to a NCAA tournament bid, the first 

since 1999. 


ADAPTED 

ATHLETICS 

The Alabama wheelchair basketball 

program is perhaps one of the most 

underrated sports on campus. The men’s and 

women’s wheelchair basketball teams have 

a combined nine national championships 

and are currently defending champions 

due to the national championship being 

canceled in the 2019-20 season. The 

winning pedigree of wheelchair basketball 

plays a key role in the demand for excellence 

on the court. 

Both teams have seasoned veterans with 

national title experience that will be able to 

shape the promising future of wheelchair 

basketball at Alabama. 


MEN’S 

BASKETBALL 

After a disappointing finish to last year’s 

season, men’s basketball is coming back 

with a potentially star-studded roster. The 

return of senior forwards Herb Jones and 

Alex Reese as well as the potential return of 

senior guard John Petty Jr. will give Alabama 

the seasoned experience that’s been missing 

since the 2018 NCAA tournament team. 

One potential issue the team faces is 

who will replace sophomore guard Kira 

Lewis Jr. The team should be able to fill 

Lewis’ absence with transfer junior Jahvon 

Quinerly, who was ranked 26 on ESPN’s 

top 100 list for high school basketball 

players in 2018. Quinerly gives the team the 

leadership, style and high IQ plays that were 

also seen under the leadership of Lewis. 

In the 2019-20 season, the team finished 

third in the nation in points per game, 

scoring an average of 82 points. Coach 

Nate Oats will be in his second year of 

coaching at Alabama and is looking to turn 

the team around from its shortcomings 

last season. The downfall of last year’s team 

was turnovers. Alabama ranked 37 in most 

turnovers per game with an average of 14.9. 

The main focus of the team this year will be 

to keep up the high scoring and take better 

care of the basketball.

30 HORIZONS 


WOMEN’S SOCCER looks up under Wes Hart 

BY JAVON WILLIAMS 


Since the University hired women’s 

coach Wes Hart, the soccer program 

has been on a continuous road to 

improvement. Under Hart, the 

team has a record of 46-42-11 since 

2015 and an appearance in the 2017 

NCAA tournament, the third in 

program history. 

During Hart’s first season, the team 

only won five games. In the second 

season, Hart brought the team to a 

winning record of 9-8-2 along with 

an SEC tournament appearance—the 

program’s first since 2014. 

Hart carried this momentum into his 

third season where the team finished the 

season at 12-8-1, their best season since 

2002. The Crimson Tide appeared in the 

2017 NCAA Tournament, but fell short 

in the first round to Clemson (2-1). 

In Hart’s fourth season, the team 

made history by defeating Texas A&M. 

The team took a slight step back in 

the regular season, ending with a 

8-8-3 record. 

In Hart’s fifth season, the Crimson 

Tide won their first SEC Tournament 

game since 2011 against Auburn (2-1) in 

overtime. Hart had four athletes receive 

All-Conference Honors, the highest 

number of players to be honored in the 

program’s history. The team’s season 

record was 10-7-3. Though they were not 

selected to be in the NCAA tournament, 

the team was ranked No. 44 in RPI. 

Going into the 2020 Spring season, 

Hart continued with his winning 

mentality. He brought in three early 

enrollees to play in the team’s five game 

spring season. Freshmen Taylor Carter 

and Gessica Skorka played their first 

collegiate minutes, with Carter making 

her first collegiate goal in a 4 to 1 win 

against UAB. Alabama won a closely 

contested match against Tennessee, 

beating the Vols 3 to 2 at home with 

freshman Allie Berk scoring her first 

collegiate goal. 


CROSS COUNTRY & TRACK 

Both men’s and women’s cross country 

and indoor and outdoor track had top 10 

finishes in their respective seasons. 

Outdoor track was canceled in 2020, 

but the team looks to move into the 2021 

season with standouts like Tamara Clark, 

who was a multiple event All-American 

in 2019. Clark was chosen as an All- 

American in the 200 meter (indoor and 

MEN’S & WOMEN’S TENNIS 

With half of the 2019-20 season being 

canceled due to COVID-19, both men’s and 

women’s tennis look to capitalize on a great 

year. In one of the tougher conferences, 

both teams finished their seasons winning 

at least two-thirds of their games. 

In the 2020-21 season, Alabama will be 

led by graduate student Edison Ortiz, who 

ended last season as the No. 74 ranked 

player in the country. Ortiz finished the 

2019-20 season with 12 singles 

wins, including four victories over 

nationally-ranked opponents. 

With more experience under his 

belt, the 2019 first-team All- 

SEC player will look to 

continue his climb into the 

national rankings. 


The women’s tennis team has a very 

young lineup coming into the 2020-21 

season. Six of the nine players will be 

either in their freshmen or sophomore 

years. However, the team will be under 

the leadership of graduate student Alba 

Cortina Pou. Pou finished the 2019-20 

season with a 17-6 singles record and a 

14-5 doubles record. Although no one on 

the current roster finished last 

season in the top 125 rankings, 

2013 Intercollegiate Tennis 

Association National Coach 

of the Year Jenny Mainz 

should be able to rally the team 

to produce the same kind of wins 

that earned her the award 

seven years ago. 

outdoor), 1x400 meter relay (outdoor), 60 

meter (indoor) and 100 meter (outdoor). 

With women’s track and field finishing 

in the top 10 both indoor and outdoor, 

upcoming seniors like Clark will hope to 

finish their college careers off strong in 

the NCAA Championships. 

A much younger men’s cross country 

team will face a loaded southern 

CW File 

subgroup. Seniors Vincent Kiprop and 

Gilbert Kigen will no longer be able to 

lead the team since their eligibility has 

run out. 

The Crimson Tide will lean on 

rising stars like sophomore Noel Rotich 

of Kenya. Rotich earned First Team All- 

SEC in 2019 and will be looking to carry 

his early success into the latter part of his 

college career. All facets of cross country 

and track will look to continue its awardstudded 

past. 

BASEBALL 

The UA baseball team was off to a hot 

start, but they became yet another sport 

to be cut short due to COVID-19. Posting 

a 16-1 record, the team was about to enter 

conference play when the sports world 

came to a crashing halt. 

Coach Brad Bohannon in his third year 

at Alabama managed to bring in talent that 

made a significant impact on the team as 

soon as they arrived. Bohannon brought 

in his second consecutive top-10 class to 

campus in the fall of 2019. This included 

freshmen Myles Austin, Owen Diodati, 

Antoine Jean and Connor Prielipp who all 

played key roles in the 16-1 start of the 2020 

season and moved Bohannon up into the 

top 25 rankings in the USA Today Coaches 

Poll. Perhaps the most important part of the 

team is defense. The team ended the season 

with a .985 fielding percentage which was 

ranked ninth nationally. 

Leading the young members of the team, 

Diodati tied for third in the SEC in RBIs 

with 22, while ranking seventh in home 

runs with 5. This great start earned Diodati 

a spot on the All-American freshman team. 

Look for Diodati and the rest of 

Bohannon’s recruits to have a much more 

significant impact on the 2021 season.

HORIZONS 


31

32 HORIZONS 


Get involved: The Crimson White is hiring! 

Do you have a passion for telling 

stories, capturing campus moments, 

elevating student voices and asking 

critical questions? Join our team at 

The Crimson White, where you’ll 

get first-hand experience in the 

journalism field. 

We’re taking applications for 

contributor positions across all of our 

desks for the 2020-2021 school year. 

This is a rolling application and is open 

to students from every college and 

experience level. 

Who are we? 

The Crimson White is The University 

of Alabama’s student-run newspaper. 

We print a twice-weekly newspaper and 

produce daily online content for over 

60,000 readers. 

Just this past year, our staff was 

called on by a number of news outlets, 

including The New York Times, 

CNN, and Time Magazine, to provide 

insight into campus events. We have 

broken national news, investigated 

injustice, and have garnered top awards 

for our extensive coverage of the 

campus community. 

Crimson White alumni have gone 

on to a number of successful careers 

inside and outside of the media world. 

Some of our current staff members 

have been published in or featured 

on national news outlets, and alumni 

have snagged jobs at The New York 

Times, CNN, Time Magazine, Sports 

Illustrated, the Southern Poverty 

Law Center, The Los Angeles Times, 

Buzzfeed, The Chicago Tribune, 

as well as in several local and state 

publications. They’re also teachers, 

authors, activists, entrepreneurs and 

artists, and they’re advocating for 

change in a multitude of ways. 

Who are we looking for? 

Many of our staff members are not 

journalism majors, and you don’t need 

to be either. We’re looking for dedicated 

students from all corners of campus 

who are passionate about telling stories 

in new and engaging ways. 

We’re especially looking for 

applicants who are aware of our 

newsroom’s weak spots, are open to 

critique and change, and are willing 

to create new possibilities within the 

field and on our campus. We welcome 

students from underrepresented social, 

ethnic and economic backgrounds and 

strongly encourage you to apply. 

CALLING ALL 

WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, 

VIDEOGRAPHERS, COPY EDITORS, 

DESIGNERS, & DATA WHIZZES: 

MORE INFORMATION 

APPLY HERE: CW.UA.EDU/APPLY 

DON’T BE SHY! IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, 

REACH OUT TO US AT EDITOR@CW.UA.EDU.

Horizons, Summer 2020

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