Three students and three professors at the University of Alabama Birmingham have filed a joint lawsuit against SB129, a bill passed in the 2024 legislative session which prevents public funds being used for diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Additionally, the bill bans the teaching of divisive concepts, as defined by the bill.

According to the complaint, the new law is discriminatory and infringes upon the plaintiffs free speech, violating both the first and fourteenth amendment. 

All three student plaintiffs are members of the Social Justice Advocacy Council, whose mission “is to celebrate diversity of identity, broaden cultural understanding, encourage unity, empower marginalized and underrepresented groups, educate about identity-related issues, and promote intercultural interactions between all communities of people at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.” The organization had previously received funding from UAB and used some of that funding to support events planned by other student groups, such as the Spanish and Latino Student Association’s celebration of the Day of the Dead. 

The plaintiffs were told that, due to UAB’s interpretation of SB129, SJAC could no longer receive university funding. Other organizations were told that they could not receive funding for events that could be considered divisive concepts. 

The complaint argues that none of these organizations have violated the actual divisive concepts listed in SB129, but that the language in the bill is vague, which has led to the current interpretations. 

UAB and Gov. Kay Ivey, were both named as defendants in the suit, and, as of Jan. 19, neither had issued a statement regarding the lawsuit. 

SB129 was signed into law in March 2024 by Ivey, and went into effect Oct. 1. In July, all three campuses in the University of Alabama System announced that they would be closing their DEI offices and replacing them with the Division of Opportunities, Success and Connection. Soon after, they also announced the closure of spaces reserved for the Black Student Union and the Safe Zone, which provided resources and support for LGBTQ+ programs. 

Alabama top stories in brief

New court order requires nursing mothers excused from jury duty

• A new administrative order from the Alabama Supreme Court requires that all courts have written procedures in place to excuse nursing mothers from jury duty.

• The order references state judicial code, which excuses those who can prove undue hardship for serving on jury duty.

• The order came after complaints from Jefferson County women who said that they had been berated by courtroom staff for bringing their babies with them when they were unable to make child-care arrangements and had not been excused. 

Alabama among states with highest level of influenza 

• According to the Center for Disease Control, Alabama has one of the highest rates of influenza-like illnesses nationwide as of Jan. 11. 

• According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, emergency room visits for Influenza-like illnesses have decreased since the beginning of January. 

• Cases are expected to peak in February as students return to school this month. 

• ADPH has recommendations on its website to reduce the impact of influenza and related illnesses, which include encouraging Alabamians to get the flu vaccine, washing hands, wiping down surfaces and staying home if they feel sick. 

University of Alabama President announces plan to step down

• Stuart Bell, the president of the University of Alabama, announced last week that he planned to step down in the summer of 2025. 

• “It has truly been an honor to serve and represent The University of Alabama as president over the last 10 years,” Bell said in a statement on UA’s website.  

• Bell has served as the president of UA since July of 2015.

Alabama House Speaker says that medicaid expansion won’t be a priority this legislative session.

• In December, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama presented a proposal for a private healthcare system supported by medicaid funds that would have expanded access to health insurance to Alabamians. 

• Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said last week that expansions to Medicaid for Alabama would not be a priority during the 2025 legislative session. 

• Ledbetter referenced the administrative changes and suggested that the Alabama House would wait to see what changes occurred with federal funding and go from there. 

• Ledbetter did say that the House would continue to consider changes to the current funding model for school systems. 

Our articles you might have missed:

• In the most recent edition of The Breathing Room, “Decorate your darkness,” Hannah Irvin encourages readers to look for positive moments in difficult situations: “Look for the lights in your life, and when you can, add your own.”

• In December, Xander Swain traveled to Bankhead National Forest, a place “known for its flowing waterfalls, deep gorges, sprawling biodiversity and its Sipsey Wilderness.” If you’re looking for new places to hike this year, you should check out the latest edition of The Longleaf Hiker and learn more about the place Xander calls an “Alabama Paradise.”

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