Witt Defends Traditional Greek System

now returns you to your GAMEDAY the regulary scheduled programming 16 Check newstands Scene Friday for the magazine Thursday, September 15, 2011 Serving the University of Alabama since 1894 Vol. 118, Issue 23 Witt defends traditional greek system By Stephen Nathaniel Dethrage “The University offers a wide range promote diversity,” Witt said in a 2003 Special Projects Reporter FAST FACTS of options for students to become “Number one, we’re not deal- interview with The Crimson White. [email protected] involved on campus. I encourage all ing with a large pool [of black “After talking with [Panhellenic • The Crimson White is students to take advantage of the women]. Number two, the fi rst President] Heather Schacht and [SGA When asked whether it was impor- exploring the historically many academic, social and volun- African-Americans who are ac- President] Katie Boyd, I was con- tant for black students to be admit- teer opportunities available at the vinced that the sororities were mak- segregated greek system and its cepted are going to be subjected to ted into traditionally white sorori- University during their time on cam- a lot of media pressure.” ing a good-faith effort at diversity.” ties, UA President Robert Witt said impact on the University pus.” Witt said he was optimistic about Wednesday that greek organizations Witt offered this response to five diversity in the greek system but cau- — President Robert Witt should be free to determine who they •Look for more on this topic in questions fielded to him regarding his tioned everyone involved. He said they do or do not accept into their num- next week’s CW comments on integration in 2003, the needed to have realistic expectations bers. importance of a desegregated greek President Witt was a supporter of the about black students joining sorori- “Approximately 25 percent of our society, the administration’s role in desegregation of the campus frater- ties, saying greek integration would student body participates in the greek racial integration in fraternities and nities and sororities. In August 2003, be difficult for two main reasons. system at UA,” Witt said in an e-mailed social organizations, it is appropriate sororities and more. Witt reversed a policy that former UA “Number one, we’re not dealing with statement. “[This] includes tradition- that all our sororities and fraterni- Eight years ago, with the lack of President Andrew Sorensen imple- a large pool [of black women],” Witt ally African-American, traditionally ties – traditionally African-American, racial integration in the University’s mented that held the events of rush said. “Number two, the first African- white and multicultural sororities traditionally white and multicultural greek system making headlines far- week until after classes started. and fraternities. As independent – determine their membership. ther and farther away from campus, “Sorensen changed the policy to See RUSH, page 3 Was 4400 seats. Organized Seating: Now 5000 seats. Was 30% of Lower Bowl Student seating. Sterling Now 35% of Lower Bowl Student seating. Previously General Student Admission, Annexed for Block Seating S-8 Crimson S-3 S-4 S-5 S-6 S-7 ΧΦ ΔΣΦ ΔΧ PHYS. CLUB ΑΚΛ ROTC ΦΚΣ ΣΠ speaks out ATHLETICS ΛΣΦ ΑΚΨ ΑΚΑ ΦΤ ΛΧΑ ΦΚΨ ΔΤΔ ΖΒΤ ΣΦΕ ΦΔΘ on security ΑΣΦ LAW SCHOOL ΦΣΚ ΠΚΦ Death of grad student BΘΠ ΘΧ ΠΚΑ MBA ΣΧ raises safety concerns at HCA ΑΦΑ ΚΣ ΣΑΕ apartments ΣΝ By Stephen Nathaniel Dethrage Newly Admitted Special Projects Reporter ΚΑ ΑΤΩ ΦΓΔ ΔΚΕ Moved Block Seating Position [email protected] Was Not Moved The management at Sterling Crimson, Remains General Admission (2 Rows) both locally and corporately, said they have CW | Evan Szczepanski spent the last several days listening to and beginning to address questions and concerns regarding security at their apartments in the wake of the fatal shooting “As of today, we do of University of not know what the full University expands block seating Alabama grad student Harry James circumstances of this In order to accommodate more student organizations, more seats have been added to the section Johnson. tragedy are, and the Whit Stephens, facts of the situation By Tray Smith the committee’s decision, I agreed she said. “I’m not surprised that the leasing man- are still evolving.” Opinions Editor “I think I’d probably still sit to a one-time, non-precedent-set- they took it into block seating, I fig- ager for the [email protected] there. If they want to kick me ting addition of seats,” said Mark ured it was only a matter of time Tuscaloosa apart- — Mark Foraker, out, they can.” Nelson, University of Alabama vice before they took it away. I am dis- ments, said he Sterling Crimson official The University has decided to president for Student Affairs. The appointed, because I think that sec- and his team expand Student Organization — Megan St. John, decision brings the number of seats tion allows non-greek students to have spent most of their time on the phone Seating into section S-3 of the lower senior, nursing reserved for Student Organization sit in a more optimal viewing area. since Johnson was shot early Sunday morn- bowl of Bryant-Denny Stadium, Seating to an estimated 5,000 seats, But at the same time, I think I’d ing, and he has pitched every idea they reserving 33 of 35 rows previously and, as a result, places almost all over a third of lower bowl student probably still sit there. If they want found beneficial to their corporate offices open to all student ticketholders. student seating behind the south seating. to kick me out, they can.” At a meeting of the Student end zone in the block seating pro- Megan St. John, a senior majoring Before the first home game See STERLING, page 6 Organization Seating Committee gram. in nursing who sat in section S-3 for against Kent State two weeks on Tuesday night, members voted “Because of the significant amount every game she attended last sea- ago, administration officials had on a revised seating chart that of miscommunication about the son, had planned to do so again this planned to issue citations for will take effect for the North Texas procedures, and after being asked year and said she is saddened to Student Non-academic Misconduct game this Saturday. The chart to review the initial decision by the learn the area will now be used for (SNAM) to students who sat in an NAACP protests reduces general admission seating SOS committee and several stu- block seating. by an estimated total of 580 seats dent groups who were impacted by “That truly does break my heart,” See SEATING, page 7 Shepherd Bend 15th Street still on the long road to recovery mine in letter to By Hailey Grace Allen Today, the residents, business Cleanup con- Staff Reporter owners and private organiza- tinues off of administration tions are still working to clean 15th Street fi ve Making its way from Rosedale the debris and begin moving for- months after By Jared Downing Court to Alberta City and then on ward with plans to rebuild the the April 27 Contributing Writer to Holt, the April 27 tornado tore destroyed areas of their street. tornado. through Tuscaloosa and ripped Sharon Cosby, case manager at Coal mining on the Black Warrior River faces out its heart, claiming the lives of Temporary Emergency Services a new attack. more than 50 residents. off 15th Street, said the number of The Birmingham NAACP sent a letter signed Of all of the ravaged communi- people requiring assistance less- by 22 environmental organizations Tuesday ties, the damage on 15th Street ens by the day. imploring President Robert Witt and UA to was some of the most devastat- “We’re looking more toward halt creation of a coal mine on the Shepherd ing for the many UA students who long-term recovery efforts Bend portion of the Black Warrior River. lived there. now,” Cosby said. “We’ve been The Alabama Department of Environmental This section of ground zero impressed by how quickly this Management granted a permit for the appeared on the cover of major area was able to recover, but we Shepherd Bend mine in mid-August, despite newspapers across the state, and know that there is still more work protests from environmental groups and videos of the devastation aired to be done.” grassroots campaigns that claimed the mining on national and worldwide news channels. See RECOVERY, page 6 CW | Katie Bennett See MINING, page 2 cle th ecy is r pa se p a e r today’s paper e today l INSIDE • WEATHER P P l e a Briefs ........................2 Lifestyles ..................13 Partly s P.O. Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Newsroom: 348-6144 | e • 81º/61º Friday r r e e c Opinions ...................4 Puzzles ....................15 cloudy p Fax: 348-8036 | Advertising: 348-7845 | Classifi eds: 348-7355 y a c p l Partly Cloudy e s i t h Letters, op-eds: [email protected] Press releases, announcements: [email protected] Sports .....................10 Classifieds ...............15 77º/58º ONLINE ON THE CALENDAR TODAY FRIDAY SATURDAY What: Dine with the Dean What: Student Assistant Es- What: Alabama vs. North Texas Where: Woods Quad sentials 1 Training Where: Bryant-Denny Sta- When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: G54 Rose Adminis- tration dium VIDEO: When: 10 to 11 a.m. When: 6:30 p.m. What: Homegrown Football Practice Alabama Farmers’ Market C&IS Family Weekend Where: Canterbury What: Reception Student Sound Off Episcopal Church What: Elephant Stomp Rotunda, Reese Phifer ON THE Is the University too crowded? When: 3 to 6 p.m.

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