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UAB Family,

Rumors have circulated in social media that UAB may have plans for cuts in our undergraduate academic programming – even some speculation that our undergraduate operations might be discontinued completely. These rumors could not be further from the truth.

The first, most important pillar of UAB's multifaceted mission is education. UAB exists to provide knowledge that prepares a diverse student body to find success and be socially responsible citizens who make an impact on Alabama, our nation and the world. This will not change.

In fact, strategic plans for our academic units presented several months ago centered on goals to increase academic programming and opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels. New undergraduate majors have been created, and major investments have been made in student services and facilities to help facilitate the expansion.

We remain committed to offering unique educational programs of the highest quality for our undergraduate students. Within the last few years, we have added new bachelor's degree programs in Biomedical Sciences, Public Health and Musical Theatre, and we expect more programs to be added that build upon UAB's longstanding, core strengths.

We recently opened a state-of-the-art Student Health and Wellness Center, and 2015 will see the opening of the new Hill Student Center (a $50 million investment) and a new 700 bed freshman residence hall (a $48 million investment).

It is important to set this straight in light of the recent announcement regarding the athletics strategic plan and the speculation that preceded it. Indeed, we are not investing less in athletics as an institution, but rather re-allocating to our athletic programs with greatest opportunities for success.

Our academic leaders will continue to develop and grow strong and positive undergraduate educational opportunities at UAB, and our undergraduates will continue to have access to research and other opportunities many institutions only offer at the graduate level.

Very sincerely,

Ray L. Watts
President Linda Lucas
Provost

He also asked earlier that no one pay attention to rumors about significant changes to the athletics department.

The heat is on.

And who in their right mind would believe him any more?

'more programs that build upon UAB's core strengths'

Read: more medical stuff. Nothing that would threaten UAT programs.

Rumors aren't rumors if they're true. See: "rumors" about the football program.

The end of football also began as rumors circulating... that's the point. You have lost the trust of everyone associated with UAB.

And what's more, this is more of that argument that we have to limit what we do. We shouldn't have to focus on a few things and being great in them. Why can't we be great at many things? Why isn't that our aspiration instead of let's drop these other things so we can be really good at 1 or 2 things?

Email the Deans and Provost (might as well include Watts) and quote Watts from the faculty senate meeting. Tell them there is no way you can trust this man.

rpalazzo@uab.edu, ialex@uab.edu, dcharper@uab.edu, ejack@uab.edu, jonesh@uab.edu, Max Michael III , nicholsk@uab.edu, bnoe@uab.edu, mreddy@uab.edu, voltz@uab.edu

I'm missing a few because I can't find their email.

This is a feeble attempt at damage control. Is it possible that not only will new admissions decrease due to the football decision but now there may be concerns over an exodus of current students who have experienced a case of bait and switch.

"Athletic programs with greatest opportunities for success." Delusional disorder inflicted Mr. Watts, success in athletics is largely about coaching. Teaching. Exhibit 1: 2014 UAB football. Exhibit 2: Coach Gene Bartow. Exactly which coaches do you think give UAB opportunities for success more than Coach Bill Clark? The UAB coach you have sent down the highway.

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain..."

I clicked on the link to the Strategic Plan for Academics and they left off the School of Optometry for some reason.. or else I really need a new set of spectacles.

Cutting football cut our undergraduate studies.

This is really interesting. Similar to the Palazzo e-mail but somewhat better written, but he's now hiding behind Linda Lucas.

Aren't the two projects he cites as evidence of his commitment to undergrad education actually leftovers from the Garrison Era?

"Underground programs???"

We're going to go underground and emerge when a better leader is in place.

(12-03-2014 07:41 PM)58-56 Wrote:  This is really interesting. Similar to the Palazzo e-mail but somewhat better written, but he's now hiding behind Linda Lucas.

Aren't the two projects he cites as evidence of his commitment to undergrad education actually leftovers from the Garrison Era?

IIRC, I believe that yes they were (are). They were the last installment of the campus green/commons, student rec center, etc. from the strategic plan.
Bastige is taking credit for money already allocated, so technically spent. He's a dam% liar.
Mother Heifer...

Given administrators response via email, you can sense that they are feeling the pressure. I hope the media continues to press onward with discovery. Keep it up Scarbinsky and Archibald. There may be a Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Journalism in your future.

Hmm...no mention of the new school of business building. Not even as a plan for the future.

Who does he think is gonna listen to him?!

Given the nature of what happened, actually receiving an university wide email from him just made me have more concerns about undergraduate.

Some schools of a university are always more expensive to operate and maintain than others due to faculty hiring costs and hardware / equipment needed to teach their subjects. It very well might be the aim of the medical elite to cut those programs / courses of study that cost the most thereby (potentially) shifting those students to the "main campus" where they will likely pay more for what they want to study.

It has been decades since I attended any university so I am not up on all the courses of study UAB now wants to offer. Some of you who are more current can tell if this consideration is seen as playing a part in which courses of study are being trimmed and which are being allowed to remain. What are you seeing in terms of faculty turnover and retention?