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Here is mine:
Dear esteemed faculty,
I am writing to voice my concern and displeasure over actions the past few weeks by our university president. In fact, his actions have been disgraceful and brought shame to UAB, the City of Birmingham and the State of Alabama. Over our history, UAB has been blessed with strong leaders who pushed to grow UAB. In fact, the previous two leaders lost their positions by pushing to grow UAB and not be bullied by a board of trustees that is does not have equal representation for UAB or UAH and has shown in the past to have a biased towards both institutions. These bold leaders fought for UAB, which is not evident in our current president who disposed of three athletic programs, put all current athletic programs in jeopardy of losing conference affiliation and dealt a blow to undergraduate schools on campus.
The advancement of UAB’s undergraduate enrollment has been a priority for decades and the events of this week will erase the gains the University has made these past decades. It’s imperative for undergraduate students to have a full college campus experience. If this were not the case, why would other student populations in this state and others across the nation cry out for the creation of a football program? Football is an important part of the college experience, especially in the State of Alabama. Football is an important asset in the marketing of a university as well. Just ask the University of South Alabama. Now that we’ve allowed our president to act unilaterally and without input from faculty and students (as noted in articles in today’s news) UAB will now no longer become the primary choice of high school students within the state and region. In fact, my niece has recently been accepted to UAB had made it a top selection after attending a football game this season. The overall experience, possibility of joining the Marching Blazers and the excitement of the game added to the high standards already set by the School of Engineering. Combined with closer proximity to home, UAB had edged out Auburn University in her mind. Now, we’ve lost the drawing card known as football and all that goes with it for a university, I am uncertain of her decision and that of so many other potential freshman for the upcoming academic year.
Furthermore, the reasoning behind Dr. Watts’ decision, money, is truly laughable. I’ve seen the university budget, as have many others due to the nature of UAB being a state academic facility. How can a university with a multi-billion dollar budget, with reserves, not be able to afford football while other schools within our state and region, who do not have UAB’s resources can afford to do so? In addition, why would a president tasked with growing a university decline offers of support from a Football Foundation and the City of Birmingham while during an active fundraising campaign? That does not make any rational sense unless this was a predetermined decision, which it appears to have been after reading the Carr Report. Instead of launching a fundraising campaign for our student athletes, reaching out to the alumni, City and businesses within the Birmingham area, Dr. Watts declined the unsolicited offers of support from these groups and made this decision without regard of the consequences to the University, City of Birmingham and State of Alabama. In addition, his actions, as directed by members of board, could put the University’s accreditation at risk.
I ask you to strongly consider these points, especially Dr. Watts’ eagerness to kill a program while ignoring support from the UAB Football Foundation and the City of Birmingham. The actions of this week should be a wake-up call for all faculty, employees and students. Do any of you have confidence that your departments would not be next on the list? Therefore, I ask of you to please make a statement of no confidence in Dr. Watts at the upcoming faculty senate meeting. In my opinion, he is not worthy of being the leader of our once-proud University. Having UAB become the talk across the nation for the actions taken by Dr. Watts yesterday, and the reasoning for them, has robbed UAB of that pride.
Please see that you can restore our cut programs, secure our undergraduate growth and restore what is known as Blazer Pride. Make the statement of no confidence and seek that strong leader that UAB deserves.
With all kindest regards,
Chris Hackney
Class of 1995 & 1998
To: 'cepps@uab.edu'; 'agross@uab.edu'; 'froelich@uab.edu'; 'paustian@uab.edu'; 'phiggin@uab.edu'; 'susankey@uab.edu'; 'worrellj@uab.edu'; 'musa@uab.edu'; 'hutchiso@uab.edu'; 'guswatte@uab.edu'; 'mjjessee@uab.edu'; 'knightdc@uab.edu'; 'mblair@uab.edu'; 'warnerv@uab.edu'; 'briank@uab.edu'
CC: 'uabathletics@uab.edu'; 'uabalumni@uab.edu'; 'webcenter@uab.edu'; 'bmackin@uab.edu'; 'hardebp@uab.edu'
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