Waggoner: It's time for UAB and UAH to have a presence on the UA Board

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — One of the Alabama Senate’s most powerful members is now speaking out about the representation, or lack thereof, the University of Alabama’s Birmingham (UAB) and Huntsville (UAH) campuses have on the UA Board of Trustees.

Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills) introduced legislation Tuesday that would expand the Board by adding four new members — two each for UAB and UAH.

“After discussions with community leaders, alumni, legislators and supporters, I believe the time is long overdue for UAB and UAH to have a real, genuine presence on the University of Alabama Board of Trustees,” Waggoner said Tuesday. “Our legislation provides a sensible, equitable solution to the concerns that UAB and UAH do not have a voice in the deliberations and decisions made by the Board of Trustees.”

The bill, SB339, has 16 Senate co-sponsors, and has been sent to the Senate Education Committee.

As a public university system in the state, the University of Alabama System’s Board of Trustees is overseen by the state legislature and Governor. The 17-member Board, however, is tasked with much of the decision making within the three member schools themselves.

The Board’s composition has come under increased public scrutiny in the wake of the shuttering of UAB’s football program, although members of the Board and UAB President Ray Watts have consistently reiterated that the decision was made by Watts, entirely independent of the Board.

Here’s how the Board appointment process would work under Waggoner’s legislation:

1. Four individuals will be nominated for appointment to the Governor by the Executive Committee of the UAB National Alumni Association Board of Directors.

2. Four individuals will be nominated for appointment to the Governor by the UAH Alumni Association Board of Directors.

3. The Governor will then appoint two from the four nominations submitted by UAB and two from the four nominations submitted by UAH.

4. The four new members representing both UAB and UAH will serve on the University of Alabama Board of Trustees upon their confirmation by the Alabama Senate.

If Waggoner’s bill is passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, a constitutional amendment will then have to be approved by the voters of Alabama.

“I have received much support for this legislation,” said Waggoner. “The presence of UAB and UAH board members will strengthen the Board of Trustees and the effectiveness of the Board’s mission and objectives.”