The Machine

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The Machine is a secretive coalition of fraternity and sorority leaders at the University of Alabama which exerts great influence over campus politics and, at times, some influence over statewide politics.

The organization grew out of the former Alpha Rho chapter of Theta Nu Epsilon (ΘΝΕ or TNE), which was founded at Wesleyan University in 1870 as a sophomore affiliate of Yale's "Skull and Bones". Alabama's chapter was organized in 1888 and recognized by the Alpha chapter in 1902. It held its first public events in 1905. The chapter expanded with a senior class affiliate, "The Skulls", in 1909. By 1910 the senior group had assumed leadership of Theta Nu Epsilon. Around 1914 the organization, led by Lister Hill, withdrew from public recognition. The name "The Skulls" fell into disuse by 1922. Nationally, Theta Nu Epsilon transitioned into a 4-year fraternity, though many chapters dissociated or dissolved in the late 1920s and 1930s.

By 1928 The Crimson White began referring to Theta Nu Epsilon at Alabama as "a political machine," with candidates selected during secret meetings of leaders from other fraternities. The phrase "The Machine" reappeared as a sobriquet in a 1945 Crimson White article and has been in common use since then.

With regard to campus politics, the group endorses candidates for Student Government positions and the university's Homecoming court, and other honors, and enforces bloc voting by fraternity and sorority members. It is observed that its influence may extend beyond campus as numerous successful politicians first came to prominence as Machine-backed SGA officials. Though the university officially desegregated in the 1960s, and currently reports 11% of the student body as Black or African-American, its greek-letter organizations remain largely segregated, with only the white chapters participating in Machine politics.

Numerous campus political organizations have been launched in opposition to The Machine. Notable "independent" candidates who have been elected as SGA president have included Carl Elliot (1935–1936), Jim Zeigler (1970–1971), Cleo Thomas (1976–1977), John Bolus (1983–1984). Bolus discovered that his telephone had been wire-tapped, which triggered an FBI investigation of that year's election.

John Merrill won the SGA presidency with the backing of a coalition of student groups called the Alabama Student Party (ASP) in 1986. He reported a break-in at his campus office and his wife reported a rape threat. The ASP filed a federal lawsuit against the Student Government Association in 1989.

In the fall in 1989, unsuccessful independent candidate Joey Viselli challenged the SGA election. The administration did not grant his request for a new election, but did assume control over future elections. Machine-led retaliation against Viselli's father's pizzeria, Bama-Bino's Pizza, is believed to have contributed to its closing in 1992. During the elections that year, sorority member Minda Riley ran against Machine candidate Neil Duthie. She reported harassment, including cross-burnings and physical assault. The University suspended the Student Government Association for four years. Minda's brother, Rob Riley, was elected as the Machine's candidate in 1996.

Emeline Aviki ran a successful independent campaign for SGA president in 2004, but subsequently transferred to Duke University due to the "emotional and psychological toll" of the election.

In 2013 Machine-led interference in the 2013 Tuscaloosa municipal election was alleged. Suspicious voter registrations and emails suggesting bribes for voting were cited in challenges brought by two candidates for the Tuscaloosa Board of Education who had lost to former SGA presidents.

Independent candidate Elliot Spillers mounted a successful campaign for SGA president in 2015. The SGA Senate blocked his appointed chief of staff until they were overruled by the University administration.

References

The Machine (social group)]" (June 13, 2023) Wikipedia - accessed June 15, 2023

External links

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