March 16, 2015

Dear Governor Bentley,

I was greatly alarmed to learn of the remarks you made to the UAB nursing students at the State Capitol last week on Nurses Day.

It was recounted to me that when you recognized the UAB students you then smiled and asked, Do you guys have a football team up there?

Governor, I have known you for a long time and I do not believe you are a malicious or mean-spirited person but that remark was way out of line and our students were offended. The students from UAB did not go to Montgomery to be ridiculed by the Governor. I am certain many of them would have stayed home had they known their Governor would make them the butt of a cruel joke.

I know you are a decent and compassionate gentleman and I would like to take this opportunity to request a public apology to our UAB students. After the turmoil our administration and the Board of Trustees have put them through this academic year they deserve this much, at least.

But Governor, to a broader point, the fact that you would make that statement, even as a joke, and not recognize how sensitive this issues is speaks volumes to the disconnect that exist between the Board of Trustees, that you are Chairman of, and this student body and our community.

Most bullies, whether aware their deeds are wrong or not, defend their actions by saying, I was only playing, or we were just kidding around, or I was only having a little fun.

Our students, faculty, alumni and many fans and supporters in our community and around our state feel bullied by the actions of the UA System Board, that you chair, and the UAB Administration. We feel our voices are ignored and our dreams and hopes for our University are of no value to those currently in power. Your words last week serve only to reinforce those feelings.

Some argue that the Governors position as Chairman of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees is simply a ceremonial position. I would argue that constitutionally you are the head of this Board.

Unfortunately Governor, for four months you have remained silent. I urge you to lead. Look deep into your soul and ask yourself the question Is this Board acting in the best interest of all the students in the system and the communities that these students study in and the communities they came from.

(over)

I understand that you are from Tuscaloosa and a die-hard Alabama fan. However, this is so much bigger than football. I would remind you that 87% of the students at UAB come from within the state of Alabama. In Tuscaloosa only 48% of the student body comes from instate. Lets be fair to the hard working Alabama families that are paying for a child to attend UAB and helping fund, with their tax dollars, the education of almost 20,000 out state students in Tuscaloosa. Let me add we welcome those out of state students and their money we are only asking for fairness.

This is not a UAB vs. UA battle. Many students and faculty in Tuscaloosa support the issues raised at UAB. The issue is fairness. As Governor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees I would urge you to begin to call various factions together and lets work together to solve problems.

One hundred years ago strong, hard working men mined iron ore out of Red Mountain to make steel. Mining made you tough, it demonstrated daily how much a man can endure to do whats right and take care for his family.

That toughness is infectious and its passed down from generation to generation. It was the children and grandchildren of those miners who stood up in the 1960s to the repressive establishment forces of segregation - and they changed a nation.

UAB stands in the shadow of Red Mountain. The toughness and determination that flows out of that mountain flows through the souls of the UAB family. We are tough, we are resolute, our wills are as strong as the iron that Red Mountains ore produced and we are not going away.

In conclusion Governor please apologize to our students, use this as a learning experience and work with me to bring these factions together to find solutions that are equitable for all parties involved.

Thank you for your service and your leadership.

Sincerely,

Jack WilliamsState RepresentativeDistrict 47