The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Via one of my old professors...

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,
This has been a difficult week at UAB and a stressful time for many of you. Yesterday’s announcement regarding the elimination of several athletics programs has affected many of our student-athletes here in our school. I want to take a moment as we prepare for finals to talk about how this announcement impacts us directly and how we now go forward.
I want to encourage our students to remain focused on their studies during this critical point in the semester. It is very important that students not neglect your academic goals, and the Collat faculty and staff are here to support and encourage you.
I’d also like to reiterate President Watts’ point that all of our student-athletes’ scholarships will be honored, and you will continue to have a home in the Collat School of Business throughout your studies. You are important contributors to our school, and we need you in our classrooms.
Finally, I understand that some students have been told that the Collat family intends to withdraw their financial support of UAB and, specifically, their generous $25 million gift to Collat School of Business. I personally spoke with the Collats today, and they wish to convey their 100% support of UAB and the Collat School of Business. They are strongly committed to the success of our students and faculty and to improving higher education at UAB.
I hope that all students will do well completing their academics this semester. As we move forward, we will need the support and encouragement of our outstanding faculty, staff and students. As usual, my door is always open to listen to your suggestions and concerns.

Sincerely,


Dean Jack

That was a good letter. Encouraging to the students without backing anything Watts did.

(12-04-2014 10:27 AM)BlazerGold09 Wrote:  I personally spoke with the Collats today, and they wish to convey their 100% support of UAB and the Collat School of Business.

I fully share those sentiments, and I am not giving one penny. Nowhere does Dean Jack confirm the $25mill.

Note the many textual similarities to Palazzo's longer letter to A+S.

Good letter...I wish the CAS Dean said that. I can actually give some respect to this.

Channel 6 read a statement from the Collat family confirming that they are "disappointed" in the news but will not be changing any of their support for UAB.

(12-04-2014 10:32 AM)58-56 Wrote:  

(12-04-2014 10:27 AM)BlazerGold09 Wrote:  I personally spoke with the Collats today, and they wish to convey their 100% support of UAB and the Collat School of Business.

I fully share those sentiments, and I am not giving one penny. Nowhere does Dean Jack confirm the $25mill.

Note the many textual similarities to Palazzo's longer letter to A+S.

That was my thought too. There are some striking similarities in the letters. He certainly doesn't deny that the Collats might be withdrawing their financial support. The "focus on your studies" line makes me think there was a directive sent out from the President's office to have the deans try to stifle dissent.

Dr. Jack is a good man.

At the very least, the CSoB knows how to frame a statement.

It sounds like the deans have been giving talking points to relay to their students. UAB PR is definitely in crisis mode.

If life has taught me nothing else, it has taught me the level of panic you should feel is directly proportional to the number of "don't panic" emails sent out.

(12-04-2014 10:42 AM)Smaug Wrote:  If life has taught me nothing else, it has taught me the level of panic you should feel is directly proportional to the number of "don't panic" emails sent out.

+1

+1 Smaug

(12-04-2014 10:42 AM)Smaug Wrote:  If life has taught me nothing else, it has taught me the level of panic you should feel is directly proportional to the number of "don't panic" emails sent out.

As well as, the level of vehemence in a denial is indirectly proportional to the level truth being deign asserted. Exhibit A: "That's BS..."

While I agree with everything you guys are saying, I do also agree that it is important (and their jobs) to get the students to focus on finishing strong before the Christmas break.

Honestly, it was probably all part of the master plan by Watts. Do it at this time of year so that students and faculty can't fully be devoted to fighting it. Probably had the emails to the Deans made up sometime in August.