UAB Faculty Draft No Confidence Resolution in School President For Dropping Football

December 18, 2014

Rick Nyman,

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) – Faculty members at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have drafted a no-confidence resolution against the president following his decision to kill the school’s football program.

A document released Thursday accuses UAB President Ray Watts of failing to share governance of the university with faculty members.

The resolution sites a series of moves including the recent decision to disband athletic programs at UAB.

The Faculty Senate is scheduled to vote on the document during a special meeting on Jan. 15. While only symbolic, a no-confidence vote could undermine Watts’ ability to lead the university of more than 18,000 students.

Protests erupted on campus this month as officials considered whether to end football at UAB. Watts explained the decision by saying football would cost the school $49 million over five years.