After some talking to a couple of different people, I dont think, (if this is to happen) that Gardner Webb or Charlston Southern would join the UAC. They seem to be under the impression that both are thinking of going the route of Presbyterian and dropping scholarship football and joining the Pioneer League.
So that brings the probable reasoning for this, it may be a plan that is being considered if another conference does not take UNA and KSU as associate members. If the Big South lost Gardner Webb and Charlston Southern for football, they will not keep sponsoring football. There are several schools in the Southeast in FCS that would be interested in joining each other to form a conference, but cant just start a bran new conference. All of the UAC would be current D1 schools. After that it would be speculative to say who the schools are. But that's how it would automatically have a AQ.
The ASUN would have an AQ even bringing in 3 D2 schools because of the core 7.
That being said, this may only have to do with the big South because of football. Or them dropping football.
And like your AD said, there is a chance nothing changes.