The NCAA has yet to release findings in their investigation into improper benefits allegedly provided University of Miami football and basketball players by an out-of-control booster, but it appears the scandal will not claim school president Donna Shalala.

Board of Trustees chairman Leonard Abess issued a strong vote of confidence for Shalala Friday evening in a letter to the university community. 

It is "especially important that the alleged misconduct not overshadow our current leadership and institutional values," he wrote.

"Without a doubt these allegations are troubling and demand a thorough and honest evaluation of Hurricane Athletics. President Shalala has taken a strong position, insisting on full cooperation with the ongoing NCAA investigation. The process will be long, and in the ensuing months the Board of Trustees and the university administration will provide both leadership and unwavering support for our great institution."

UM administrators past and present have come under fire by media and fans alike, but Shalala told school paper The Hurricane Thursday that she has no intention of resigning.

“Officially I’m here and I’ll be here as long as you all here and as long as I feel healthy and energetic, and I can still make contributions,” she said. “So you should not be thinking there’s some end out there. I’ll be here for a long time.”

Ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro's claims that he provided 72 players with cash, cars, prostitutes and other gifts were first published in a Yahoo! Sports report on Tuesday. The NCAA has been investigating the allegations for five months, and it is widely believed heavy sanctions will result.

"She's been a terrific leader in higher education, and I have great respect for her," NCAA president Mark Emmert told The Associated Press Friday. "I can only imagine how much she's struggling with this, like I would have been if this had happened on my watch."

Shalala, who served eight years as Secretary of Health and Human Services secretary under President Bill Clinton, joined UM in 2001. She led the capital campaign Momentum, one of the first successful billion-dollar fundraising campaigns in the U.S., raising $1.4 billion for UM's endowment, programming, and facilities.

"We must not allow our current crisis in athletics to diminish the excellence and hard work of generations in the UM family," Abess wrote.