01-30-2015, 12:36 PM
"I was disappointed but not surprised by the statement issued by UA System Chancellor Robert Witt. It's unfortunate that the culture of the UA System and Board appears to be - attack the messenger and avoid the problem.
I, and I believe many citizens, are confused and left wondering how calling for an investigation of allegations of misconduct by a Board member could be considered reckless.
The actual reckless course of action is firing off an attack and never bothering to even consider if the allegation, made by multiple Birmingham businessmen and reported by al.com columnist Kevin Scarbinsky on January 9th are accurate. The very fact that Dr. Witt doesn't even understand the gravity of this situation speaks volumes about how deep rooted these problems are.
I can assure the Chancellor my motivation in calling for this investigation is not political. I simply want to make certain the other two campuses in the UA System are treated as well as the campus he was President of for over ten years.
Without hesitation I fully concur with Dr. Witt that UAB is a fabulous educational institution. Unfortunately, Dr. Witt and the Board have attempted to cast the debate in an either/or frame of reference. I totally reject that mentality. The question we should all be sitting around the table together trying to answer is how can UAB continue to grow as a world class medical research institution while pursuing a thriving undergraduate program that includes a full and successful athletic program. Any other approach is completely unacceptable.
In closing, my challenge to Dr. Witt is to stop attacking me and let's work together to build a system that is unparalleled in the world. However, to reach that goal we have to rid ourselves of the existing climate that encourages and allows those in power to attack problem solvers while turning a blind eye to allegations of wrong doing.
If there has been no Board interference into UAB athletics then Dr. Witt should have no fear in hiring an outside group to do a thorough and independent investigation that would satisfy everyone. I would be happy to work with him to select an individual or a firm to handle these duties."
I, and I believe many citizens, are confused and left wondering how calling for an investigation of allegations of misconduct by a Board member could be considered reckless.
The actual reckless course of action is firing off an attack and never bothering to even consider if the allegation, made by multiple Birmingham businessmen and reported by al.com columnist Kevin Scarbinsky on January 9th are accurate. The very fact that Dr. Witt doesn't even understand the gravity of this situation speaks volumes about how deep rooted these problems are.
I can assure the Chancellor my motivation in calling for this investigation is not political. I simply want to make certain the other two campuses in the UA System are treated as well as the campus he was President of for over ten years.
Without hesitation I fully concur with Dr. Witt that UAB is a fabulous educational institution. Unfortunately, Dr. Witt and the Board have attempted to cast the debate in an either/or frame of reference. I totally reject that mentality. The question we should all be sitting around the table together trying to answer is how can UAB continue to grow as a world class medical research institution while pursuing a thriving undergraduate program that includes a full and successful athletic program. Any other approach is completely unacceptable.
In closing, my challenge to Dr. Witt is to stop attacking me and let's work together to build a system that is unparalleled in the world. However, to reach that goal we have to rid ourselves of the existing climate that encourages and allows those in power to attack problem solvers while turning a blind eye to allegations of wrong doing.
If there has been no Board interference into UAB athletics then Dr. Witt should have no fear in hiring an outside group to do a thorough and independent investigation that would satisfy everyone. I would be happy to work with him to select an individual or a firm to handle these duties."
