Undergraduate Student Government Association Executive Council and other student advocacy groups:

Thank you for voicing concerns about important issues on behalf of your fellow students. We, too, want what is best for our campus community. Please know that we hear you and welcome a dialogue that moves us forward together in continued growth.

We hope to answer questions and explore important issues affecting our campus and community with you and your fellow students — something that will make us all stronger.

As an institution of higher education that encourages civil discourse, we understand differing opinions regarding President Watts’ recent statement made in defense of our shared values: integrity, respect, diversity and inclusiveness, collaboration, excellence and achievement, stewardship, and accountability.

We recognize individuals’ rights to free speech and also believe it is important to champion and reinforce our values when members of our campus community challenge them in a very public way.

Those of us — President Watts and Dean Vickers — who are physicians and leaders of a health-promoting university and academic medical center have focused on healing the sick and relieving suffering our entire professional lives. The thought of wishing a painful death on any person is counter to the values by which the UAB community and we live. It is important UAB make it clear that any faculty member wishing suffering and death on anyone does not speak for the university. Our shared values are consistent and do not change with political viewpoints in any direction; and we strive to be constant and consistent in promoting these values.

UAB recognizes Dr. Parcak’s constitutional rights to free speech, and as a public figure she knows the scrutiny that comes with her platform. Many people feel she represents the institution with her opinions, so it is important we make it clear that she speaks for herself, not UAB.

In 2019, UAB publicly acknowledged that three members of the campus community were identified as either having been associated with a white supremacist organization and/or having made racist statements in personal online posts. We spoke out and defended our shared values, saying, “We want to assure you that UAB is against racism, white supremacy, discrimination and hate in all its forms. The thoughts expressed by such groups and in such posts are not shared by the institution and do not align with our values.”

In response to our statements in 2019, students asked that UAB leadership be more expedient and strong in defense of our shared values when members of our campus community fall short. That feedback influenced our recent response. We hope to maintain a dialogue through which we continue to take student input to heart and enhance future responses in the best interests of the campus community.

In 2019, as we have this week, we recognized the community’s concerns, defended our shared values and committed to looking into the matter. Beyond that, employment records and matters — then and now — are handled between the university and the employee. As we said in 2019, UAB will follow policies, procedures, and state and federal laws, and recognizes individuals’ constitutionally protected rights to free speech. This responsibility applies even when speech is counter to the vision, mission and values we champion.

Here are answers to other specific concerns raised in your respective letters:

Regarding concerns about individuals not affiliated with UAB saying hateful things on Feb. 10 on the public sidewalk: These were not invited guests of the university and do have rights to free speech in that public setting. UAB encourages civil discourse, and we are disappointed that our shared values were not demonstrated. We provide opportunities for differing viewpoints to be discussed and explored in safe and productive ways, and we will continue to promote our shared values.
Regarding the request for UAB to redesign our free speech policy: UAB’s Freedom of Expression and Use of UAB Facilities Policy is consistent with constitutional, state and federal law and must remain so. As drafted, it supports non-violent free speech.
Regarding concerns about hidden tweets: We regret that there was a brief time on Thursday when a misunderstanding among our communications team resulted in tweets being hidden. As soon as we identified the error, it was addressed: Tweets were restored, and protocols were clarified so it will not happen again. We encourage civil discourse and want to hear student voices.

Again, thank you for voicing your concerns and sharing your perspectives — which will be taken into consideration now and in the future. If you are interested in joining us in a dialogue, please email Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Paulette Dilworth at ppddei@uab.edu so we can arrange a meeting soon.

Sincerely,

Ray L. Watts, M.D.
President

Paulette Dilworth, Ph.D.
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Selwyn Vickers, M.D.
Senior Vice President and School of Medicine Dean

Pam Benoit, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President and Provost

John R. Jones, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs