President Pro Tem Karen Brooks and Chancellor Robert Witt released statements Thursday morning in support of UAB President Ray Watts, after the Faculty Senate passed a resolution of no confidence.

Leaders of the University of Alabama system Board of Trustees have come out in full support of UAB President Ray Watts after faculty and students expressed a lack of confidence in his leadership.

President Pro Tem Karen Brooks and Chancellor Robert Witt released statements Thursday morning, after the UAB Faculty Senate passed a resolution of no confidence.

"I have great personal and professional respect for Ray Watts and the leadership he is providing," Witt said in the prepared statement. "I look forward to working with him as he continues to chart UAB's future course."

Witt also said that Watts has a proven track record of success at UAB, including improving undergraduate programs, reaching record enrollment, reversing previously declining national research rankings and ensuring the excellence of the medical school and the UAB Health System. That success, he said, is a direct result of the strategic planning process that Watts developed with the involvement of faculty, staff, students and alumni.

The Undergraduate Student Government this week passed its own resolution of no confidence in Watts and, on behalf of the undergraduate student body released a report that criticized the decision-making process and laid out ways the administration could address their concerns.

The Graduate Student Government last week passed two resolutions - one expressing no confidence in Watts' leadership and another in support of athletics.

"As a former faculty member and a longtime dean, I respect the process of shared governance that is reflected in today's vote by the 35 members of the UAB Faculty Senate as well as the students and UAB alumni," Witt said. "All of these groups have made their voices and opinions heard."

Brooks' statements in support of Watts echo those of the chancellor, lauding the caliber of his leadership and his personal integrity.

"On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want express to Dr. Watts our full support and our appreciation for his hard work and continued leadership," Brooks said in a prepared statement. "These last several weeks have been an enormously difficult time for everyone who loves UAB - regardless of anyone's individual opinion about some of the hard decisions Dr. Watts has made."

While Brooks said the board appreciates the passion for UAB demonstrated by everyone involved, two facts have been overlooked.

First of all, she said, higher education is facing historic challenges, and Watts must determine UAB's priorities and decide how to best invest in academic programs, classrooms, dorms and laboratories.

And secondly, the Board of Trustees is committed to UAB and "fully supports the university's role and mission."

"The $100 million in new student facilities under construction on campus today is among dozens of major projects that have been reviewed and approved by the Board as a result of the university's recommendations, along with new academic programs, faculty chairs, scholarships and capital improvements," Brooks said. "UAB's best days are in front of us."

Watts also responded to the Faculty Senate's vote, saying he is disappointed but plans to move forward by finding common ground.

"We have a great university," Watts said in a prepared statement. "We have thousands of talented people who are making world-changing breakthroughs right here in Birmingham at UAB. My focus moving forward is to work with our community to carry out our mission. As President I am totally committed to the future of UAB and the many great things we are doing here."