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No Confidence - BBJ

If the vote of no confidence passes, he won't step down and I don't see the board removing him. But I sure do hope it happens. State and National media will have a field day with the BOT then...

I've already voted and I vote no confidence, no job, and no more police protection.

The vote of no confidence would put the BOT in a catch-22. To accept it and remove Watts would set a precedence giving power to one of the universities and forcing them to do something. On the other hand, if they leave him in place, even with a bogus excuse like "we've seen commitment from him to work with the faculty blah blah blah" then it essentially proves everything that has been said about them over the last month and a half, and I believe leaves them wide open for a SACS investigation or the legislature stepping in and forcing change within the system.

I know the vote isn't guaranteed to get him out, but how do you guys see it playing out, assuming we get the vote?

The Faculty Senate meets Jan 15th?

I think the board will soon see that he is a liability for them, and they will cut him loose. Even if they don't, the outcry will be even greater. I'm ready for the fight. It could get ugly!!

(01-12-2015 09:38 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  The Faculty Senate meets Jan 15th?

Yes at 7:30 am.

They have a regular meeting tomorrow as well.

I don't think he will leave voluntarily if the vote is successful. Nothing He's done or said gives me that hope that he would take the honorable way out if this goes down like we all hope.

(01-12-2015 09:33 AM)Cole Wrote:  The vote of no confidence would put the BOT in a catch-22. To accept it and remove Watts would set a precedence giving power to one of the universities and forcing them to do something. On the other hand, if they leave him in place, even with a bogus excuse like "we've seen commitment from him to work with the faculty blah blah blah" then it essentially proves everything that has been said about them over the last month and a half, and I believe leaves them wide open for a SACS investigation or the legislature stepping in and forcing change within the system.

I know the vote isn't guaranteed to get him out, but how do you guys see it playing out, assuming we get the vote?

I believe it's just as you said.

My guess is that the vote going through won't make him leave, but the board will. They can't afford to stand with him pending the legislation to change the composition of the board and effectively end their stranglehold on the system. I think, right now, the board would be more than willing to allow a lot of things they wouldn't have allowed before simply because the board in under intense scrutiny and the looming threat of forced change is serious.

(01-12-2015 09:49 AM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  I don't think he will leave voluntarily if the vote is successful. Nothing He's done or said gives me that hope that he would take the honorable way out if this goes down like we all hope.

I think since he appears to be squirming pending the vote that it definitely means that he knows that his kingdom is coming to an end.

(01-12-2015 11:04 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  

(01-12-2015 09:49 AM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  I don't think he will leave voluntarily if the vote is successful. Nothing He's done or said gives me that hope that he would take the honorable way out if this goes down like we all hope.

I think since he appears to be squirming pending the vote that it definitely means that he knows that his kingdom is coming to an end.

And then get ready to welcome Malcolm Potera, interim UA-b Pres/Czar. Ray Watts as a hatchet man will make Potera seem like Paul Bunyan.

(01-12-2015 11:12 AM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  

(01-12-2015 11:04 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  

(01-12-2015 09:49 AM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  I don't think he will leave voluntarily if the vote is successful. Nothing He's done or said gives me that hope that he would take the honorable way out if this goes down like we all hope.

I think since he appears to be squirming pending the vote that it definitely means that he knows that his kingdom is coming to an end.

And then get ready to welcome Malcolm Potera, interim UA-b Pres/Czar. Ray Watts as a hatchet man will make Potera seem like Paul Bunyan.

If heat gets too intense on UAB/BOT, I predict Watts will be forced out and an interim president will be appointed. I doubt that the interim will make any changes in the football program.

Once Watts is forced out, the BOT will buy into the "deliberate-and-try-to-find-consensus" mode that Watts is now proposing. So, BOT will move with very slowly after Watts resigns. There will be a long search for a new president, during which the interim will not make any changes in football, citing his interim status. The longer football stays dead, the harder it is to bring back.

Which is why we have Resolution 1 supporting the cancelled sports, not just Resolution 2. I honestly believe the Board will appoint an interim president who we can put the pressure on more successfully to reinstate football, bowling, and rifle soon after Cubby retires from the board, even if it is just in its previous weakened state.

What I hope happens here, is that we put such an amount of pressure on the board that they feel so threatened by possible civil/criminal ramifications of their actions to the point where they simply institute ad-hoc advisory boards for UAB and UAH to basically do their jobs at those two campuses, while assuming their role over just UA. A legislative change would essentially codify this at some point in the future.

But that might be asking for too much. Let's make sure the first step, the No-Confidence, actually happens first!

The board will have a tough time justifying keeping Watts after a no-con vote.

But then, that's if they ever felt the need to justify themselves at all.

It's clear he's concerned about the outcome, given his current attempt at a charm offensive.

(01-12-2015 04:45 PM)Smaug Wrote:  The board will have a tough time justifying keeping Watts after a no-con vote.

But then, that's if they ever felt the need to justify themselves at all.

It's clear he's concerned about the outcome, given his current attempt at a charm offensive.

If Watts receives a vote of no confidence from the faculty (via faculty senate) and students (via USGA), then that becomes hard to ignore. An even harder stance from the alumni (via NAS) makes the case for Watts removal a near slam dunk IMO.

If you have no support from faculty, students, nor alumni, how can you possibly lead? The answer is that you can't. The BOT if they stood by Watts in that scenario is welcoming a thorough SACS investigation... Which they may just get either way.

You're failing to account for the Watts/BoT "**** you, we'll do what we want" factor.

(01-12-2015 04:54 PM)Smaug Wrote:  You're failing to account for the Watts/BoT "**** you, we'll do what we want" factor.

That's fine. I hope he says exactly that when the SACS visitors arrive and start asking questions.

Maybe This? http://youtu.be/E8pz1QEeBkA

(01-12-2015 09:49 AM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  I don't think he will leave voluntarily if the vote is successful. Nothing He's done or said gives me that hope that he would take the honorable way out if this goes down like we all hope.

Unfortunately - you are probably correct. Watts in the article has stated his plans are if a no confidence vote occurs - he will continue his efforts on improving shared governance. The resolution does not require any review or any action by the BOT - it is just an expression of faculty wants or wishes. It will never appear on a BOT agenda.

Regardless of the vote regarding lack of confidence in Watts, the push for remodeling the BOT via legislative action must continue and eventually be successful, Period!