UAB Faculty Senate Votes No Confidence in President

The Faculty Senate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham has voted no-confidence in President Ray Watts following his decision to disband the school's football program.

Applause and chants of "UAB" broke out from spectators in the campus auditorium after the resolution was approved Thursday.

The vote split among the 35 voting officers and senators was not revealed. The chairman of the Faculty Senate, Chad Epps, said the vote was approved by more than a two-thirds majority.

School of Business professor Philip Musa said after the meeting that football allows students to get the full campus experience.

The UAB Undergraduate Student Government Association approved a similar resolution Tuesday.

The votes are largely symbolic since only university trustees have the power to fire him.

Watts cited finances last month for his decision to eliminate football.

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