By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama students are turning challenges into opportunities after launching two independent magazines following the cancellation of campus publications tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Last December, the university suspended two student-run magazines, Alice and Nineteen Fifty-Six, citing concerns over what officials described as “unlawful proxies” in staffing and operations. The decision drew criticism from free speech advocates and elected leaders, including members of Congress, who questioned whether the move limited student expression.
Now, the students behind those publications are making their voices heard again— this time on their own terms.
With support from the nonprofit MASTHEAD, which raised nearly $30,000, former staff members have launched two new independent magazines: Selene and Sixty- Three. Both publications are created, edited, and funded outside of the university.
“We cannot be stopped. And we cannot be silenced,” reads a powerful message in Selene’s debut issue.
The new magazines continue the mission of their predecessors, highlighting stories and perspectives centered on women, students of color, and underrepresented voices. Topics in Selene include misogyny in STEM and women’s influence in literature, while Sixty-Three explores Black culture, self-care,
and the legacy of the original publication.
The transition has not been without legal action. In March, eight students filed lawsuit against university leadership, citing First Amendment concerns.
As fundraising continues for future issues, these students are proving that even in the face of institutional setbacks, creativity and community voices will find a way forward.