ResolutioninSupportofAthletics

WHEREAS we at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) understand theimportance

of keeping faith with those who came before us, whose vision and dedication built such a
prestigiousinstitution,and

WHEREAS UAB has a tradition of inspiringgreataccomplishmentandaresponsibilitytouplift

thosewhostrivetoovercomeobstaclestosuccess,and

WHEREAS the 2014 UAB football team exhibited remarkable success under the leadership of
CoachClarkwithexistingfacilities,and

WHEREAS the athleticsprogramsofUAB,andfootballinparticular,arevitaltotherecognition

of the UAB brand, student life and morale, increased enrollment and scholarship opportunities
for deserving youth and to the financial health of thecityofBirminghamandmetropolitanarea,
and

WHEREAS both the retention and recruitment of athletes, coaches, students and faculty have
been placed in jeopardy by the reckless, hasty, unmerited shutdown of the football, rifle and
bowlingprogramsatUAB,and

WHEREAS both the abrupt dismissal of these three athletic programs and the disingenuous
subsequent defense of such action appear to be for reasons other thanthe bestinterestsofUAB,
given that UAB interests are not just about unsubstantiated financial concerns but about
providingafullcollegeandeducationalexperiencetothestudentbody,and

WHEREAS UAB is a leading university in research yet the Carr Report used to rationalize the
discontinuationofthreeUABathleticprogramswasunscientificinitsapproachofthestudy,was
biased containing language suggesting a predetermined outcome, based on unfavorable 2013
data rather than the favorable 2014 data with a doubling offootballattendanceandfifthranking
in Conference USA attendance, based on numbers obtained by asking coaches for a list of
improvements required to achieve Division I competitiveness without telling them it would be
used against them to cancel their programs, did not consider any of the alternatives to ending
these programs, did notconsiderthemultiplefinancialbenefitsofmaintainingtheprograms,and
didnotconsidertheovertwomilliondollarcostsofcontractcancellations,and

WHEREASthesevereconsequencesoflossofConferenceUSAmembershipeligibilityforother
UABathleticsprogramswasnottakenintoaccount,and


WHEREAS this decision did not take into account the opinion of the Faculty Athletics
Representativewhoexpressedhisconfidenceinthesuccessofthefootballprogramsfuture,and

WHEREAS the current UAB president has refused to offer relief to the UAB students, alumni
andcommunitymuchlesstakeresponsibilityfortheharmhehasinflicted,and

WHEREAS the decision of Ray Watts to discontinue these programs despite their success,
devalued the unique identity of UAB built upon overcoming challenges and rewarding
accomplishments,and

WHEREAS current UAB president Ray Watts has willfully avoided open communication and
shared governance in decision making and thus failed as a leader to contain the situation that
resulted from the decision and led the school into one of the biggest public relation crises in its
history,and

WHEREAS the disreputable manner by which Ray Watts avoided responsible input and
concerns has violated the spirit of UAB and irreparably sacrificed the trust of students, faculty,
alumniandtheentireUABcommunity

THEREFOREitissoresolvedbytheUABGraduateStudentAssociation:

(1) that the football, bowling and rifle programs resume full activity immediately, under the
understandingandexpectationthattheseprogramswillcontinueuninterruptedandindefinitely

(2) that any decision or action, including financial, adversely affecting these programs or any
other UAB athletic program be made only after documented meetings involving the UAB
president, the Faculty Athletic Representative (currently Frank Messina) and the Athletic
Director or acting Athletic Director and after an advertised public hearing to which
undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and alumni are invited to attend and comment on
thealternatives

(3) that any adverse decision affecting any athletic program should require the unanimous
consent of the three above named officials, the UAB president, the Faculty Athletic
Representative (currently Frank Messina) andtheAthleticDirector,withaunanimouslyselected
substituteforthepresidentaslongasthepresidentremainsRayWatts.

(4) that any review of UAB athletics programs must include the NCAAFacultyRepresentative,
students, faculty, administrators, alumni, donors and community as well as experts with a
commongoalofimprovingUABathletics.