Skip to Main Content

The University of Tennessee

Office of the Chancellor

Frequently Used Tools:



Announcement Archives » 2007 and Older


Announcement Archives (2007 and older)

Safety Reminder
I would like to enlist your help in reminding our students about basic safety precautions. This is especially important for those who are studying and attending class at night.

Strategic Planning -- The Pursuit of Excellence
Today we are launching a comprehensive strategic planning process that anticipates significant change and I am seeking to enlist your support and participation. I have charged Provost Bob Holub to lead this initiative and to engage our faculty, students, staff, deans and vice chancellors in the process. We expect to have the plan in place before the end of the spring semester.

The University of Tennessee Management and Reporting Responsibilities
A joint statement by President John Petersen and UT Knoxville Chancellor Loren Crabtree provising an updated outline of management and reporting responsibilities for the university system, its campuses and institutes with specific clarifications recognizing the flagship status of the Knoxville campus.

Continuity of Operations Plan
I am asking for your help in adding a critical new element and vital safeguard to the campus emergency management plans. 

Crabtree Announces Plans for LEED Building Policy
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, today took a step forward in its environmental efforts by announcing a planned policy to require major new campus buildings and renovations to conform to LEED standards

Campus Response to the UT System Mission Statement
I am writing to update you on the campus response to President Petersen's "Mission of the University" statement distributed to campus administrators on Aug. 9. As you are aware, I asked members of the campus community to send me their thoughts and concerns about the statement, and your response was extraordinary.

Rita Geier to Help Lead UT Diversity Efforts
I'm very pleased to announce today that Rita Sanders Geier, a civil rights pioneer who already has had a tremendous impact on higher education in Tennessee, has joined our administration at the University of Tennessee to help with diversity efforts.

President Petersen's "Mission of the University" Document
Chancellor Crabtree invites feedback on the President Petersen's proposed governance structure, and how the university can continue its efforts to become a great public research university within this context.

Merit and Equity Pool Distribution Plan
As you know, the compensation plan recently approved by the Board of Trustees is good news for our faculty and staff. Along with providing a state-funded, 3 percent across-the-board pay raise for regular employees, the plan allows us to commit additional campus resources for a 2 percent merit and equity pool.

Fenwick Named Vice Chancellor for Research
I'm pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Bradley W. Fenwick, the current vice president for research at Virginia Tech University, as the new vice chancellor for research for UT Knoxville.

Family Campaign Update and Celebration
The recent family campaign was a great success witheEvery college or unit on the Knoxville campus participating. To celebrate we invite all employees to an ice cream social on June 18th.

Chancellor CrabtreeA Commencement Like You've Never Seen
Spring commencement had “something old and something new” as we revived the Aloha Oe ceremony and began a new tradition with Deana Carter, fireworks and “Rocky Top.”

Candidate Visits Begin for Vice Chancellor of Research Position
The search committee has recommended four candidates for campus interviews. The first visit will be Monday, April 23, with later visits to be arranged. Candidate evaluation forms are also now available.

Security Measures
As we learn more about the tragic events that occurred at Virginia Tech on Monday, we are understandably getting questions about security procedures at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Statement Regarding Virginia Tech Shootings
The University of Tennessee community is deeply saddened by today's events at Virginia Tech University, and our thoughts and prayers are with their entire campus. We have been closely monitoring this tragic situation from its onset this morning. Of course, we stand ready to assist our colleagues in any way possible at this time of tragedy.

Chancellor Honors Top Faculty, Staff and Students
Faculty, students and staff were recognized at the annual University of Tennessee Chancellor's Honors Banquet April 11 at the Carolyn P. Brown Memorial University Center. At the banquet, the largest UT honors event of the year, Chancellor Loren Crabtree saluted the accomplishments of key members of the campus community.

Invitation to "Take a Break on Us"
In an effort to improve the Knoxville campus's response to the Employee Satisfaction Survey and to make sure we're hearing from you, I'm inviting all employees to take a break on us one morning next week.

Kickoff to Commencement May 9
UT will hold a Kickoff to Commencement event May 9 to open the spring graduation season. For this semester only, the kickoff, planned in cooperation with our student leadership, will replace the traditional university-wide commencement ceremony due to scheduled renovations in Thompson-Boling Assembly Center & Arena.

Search Begins for Vice Chancellor for Research
A committee chaired by Professor Way Kuo is currently inviting nominations and applications to fill the position of the the chief research officer of the university.

Bonuses for Employees with Less than Three Years of Full-time Service
I am pleased to inform you that Knoxville campus employees with less than three years of service will receive a special bonus of $350 on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006.

Additional Faculty and Staff Compensation Approved
I am pleased to report that the Board of Trustees has approved a plan from the University of Tennessee's Knoxville campus administration for additional faculty and staff compensation.

A New Scholarship for the Post-Geier Era
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting with students at several high schools in West Tennessee to promote some of our new scholarship programs. It was a wonderful reminder that there are many bright students who have a great desire to attend the university but need the financial assistance and the encouragement to do so.

Chancellor Crabtree Looks Toward the the word future with the letters U and T replaced by the UT brand icon
On September 19th, Chancellor Crabtree welcomed UT President John Petersen to the Knoxville campus where in a first-time ever, six-way simulcast and university-wide celebration President Petersen gave an overview of the university's strategic plan and unveiled a new image campaign that highlights the university's future. View Chancellor Crabtree's remarks, and find out more about the image campaign.

Early Voting on Campus Oct 31-Nov 2
UT faculty, staff and students who are registered Knox County voters may vote early in the upcoming State and Federal General Election at the University Center.

Catlett to Lead Knoxville Alumni Operations
Steve Catlett was recently named associate vice chancellor for alumni affairs. In this capacity, Steve will oversee programming and outreach to Knoxville campus alumni.

America on the Move in Tennessee Day of Action
The Chancellor invites all students, faculty, and staff to participate in the second annual America on the Move in Tennessee Day of Action set for 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, here on campus.

UT Welcomes 4,200 Top-Notch Freshmen to Campus
The University of Tennessee is welcoming its most academically qualified freshman class in its history. One-third of the class has a core GPA of 4.0, the highest percentage of straight-A students ever in a freshman class, said UT’s Dean of Enrollment Richard Bayer.

Director of Chancellor's Honors Program Named
Dr. Steven P. Dandaneau, currently director of university honors at the University of Dayton, has been appointed to lead the Chancellor's Honors Program at the University of Tennessee.

New Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Robert C. Holub has been named provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs for the University of Tennessee.

New Dean for College of Communication and Information
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Michael O. Wirth has been named the new dean of the College of Communication and Information.

2006 Chancellor's Honors Banquet
The 2006 Chancellor's Honors Banquest was held April 12. The program, with a complete list of honorees, is available to download [pdf].

Three Very Good Signs for UT
Chancellor Crabtree discusses three major initiatives here at the University of Tennessee.

Search for Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
The search for a new Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs is proceeding well. You can follow the progress on the search Web site.

Promotion and Tenure Workshops Scheduled for Spring 2006
Promotion and tenure workshops have been scheduled in April 2006 for interested faculty and department heads.

State of the Campus Address
Chancellor Crabtree presented his "State of the Campus" address to the Faculty Senate at its February meeting.

Brown Bag Lunches with the Chancellor
The spring semester schedule for brown bag lunches with the chancellor has been announced.

Search for Dean of the College of Communication and Information
The University of Tennessee invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Communication and Information.

UT New Year News to Celebrate
At the beginning of a new year and a new semester, Chancellor Crabtree announces a search for a new Provost and some recent administrative appointments.

Performance Reviews
The university is committed to a process of fair and consistent performance reviews for all UT employees.

Senior Administrative Position Search
Chancellor Crabtree chairs the search committee that will recommend the next UT Vice President for Agriculture.

Finance and Administration Division Reorganized
UT Knoxville has announced reorganization of finance and administration personnel. Denise Barlow will become vice chancellor for finance and administration. Her staff will include Jeff Maples, who will become the senior associate vice chancellor, and Jonee Daniels-Lindstrom, who will become assistant vice chancellor and bursar.

Bruce Bursten Named New Arts and Sciences Dean
Dr. Bruce E. Bursten has been named dean of the UT College of Arts and Sciences.

UT's Re-accreditation and Quality Enhancement Plan
UT's nearly two-year-long process of being re-accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is almost complete.

UT Strategic Plan
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state's flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. A land-grant university, UT aspires to the top rank of public research universities. To that end, it insists on excellence in teaching, research, creative activities, and outreach.

Chancellor's Honors Banquet
The 2005 Chancellor's Honors Banquet was held April 13 in the University Center Ballroom. The Honors Banquet is held each spring to recognize students, faculty, staff and friends of the University of Tennessee for their extraordinary achievements.

James Agee Celebration
In March and April, the Chancellor's Office, College of Arts and Sciences, UT Libraries and Central Program Council will sponsor the James Agee Celebration, an appreciation of the Knoxville native's contributions to American arts and letters.

UT Knoxville Chancellor Emeritus Jack Reese Dies
Dr. Jack Reese, who served as the University of Tennessee, Knoxville chancellor for more than 16 years, died Monday. He was 76.

Arts and Sciences Dean Candidates Named
A search committee has identified and interviewed candidates for dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Job Advertisement: Dean, College of Communication and Information
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Communication and Information. The dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the college and reports to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

A New Look On Campus
Although Ayres Hall and Neyland Stadium remain the prominent landmarks at UT, the campus has taken on a new look.

2005 Bryn Mawr Summer Institute
Chancellor Loren Crabtree and the Commission for Women will sponsor an outstanding female faculty member or administrator to attend the 2005 Summer Institute at Bryn Mawr College. The entry deadline is Feb. 14.

The Environmental Policy
The University of Tennessee has announced the adoption of a policy to establish the Knoxville campus as a model of environmental stewardship. Chancellor Loren Crabtree announced the policy on Earth Day, April 22, in conjunction with a presentation by Paul Ehrlich, noted scientist, author and pioneer in sustainable resource use, population growth, and consumption.

Program Review and Redirection Task Force
The Program Review and Redirection Task Force, a joint faculty and administrative group appointed by Chancellor Crabtree in October 2003, has reviewed five programs, several with multiple degrees. Policies and procedures for transfer of tenured and tenure-track faculty have been developed.

Yin and Yang
The balancing act of a chancellor who's a professor at heart. The winter 2004 issue of Tennessee Alumnus magazine features Chancellor Loren Crabtree.

UT Expecting More Freshmen This Fall
First-year students at the University of Tennessee are expected to top 4,000 this fall, and they will be the best prepared in the school's history, Chancellor Crabtree says. Driven in part by the Tennessee Hope Scholarship program, UT-Knoxville's freshman enrollment could hit 4,500 students.

Environmental Semester
During the Spring 2005 term, the University will present the Environmental Semester, a series of important and timely programs planned and organized by a large and diverse group of students, faculty and staff. The semester is designed to enhance awareness of the natural and human environment as it influences and is influenced by every academic discipline.

Review and Redirection Task Force
Healthy institutions find it prudent from time to time to review programs to ensure that they are performing at levels appropriate to expectations. Such reviews are urgent in the current funding environment for higher education.

Chancellor's Honors Banquet
The 2004 Chancellor's Honors Banquet was held April 14 in the University Center Ballroom. The Honors Banquet is held each spring to recognize students, faculty, staff and friends of the University of Tennessee for extraordinary achievements.

  • The top award for students is the Torchbearer Award, given to students who exemplify the qualities of scholarship, public service and campus involvement.
  • The top faculty award is the Macebearer Award, for a faculty member who leads in student instruction, scholarly research and community service.

Job Advertisement: Dean, College of Communication and Information
The University of Tennessee invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Communication and Information. The Dean reports to the Chancellor. Salary is nationally competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Celebrating Religious Diversity
During this holiday season, it may be appropriate to reflect a moment on the rich variety of spiritual convictions that characterize our society.

A Conversation with the Chancellor
Dr. Loren Crabtree, recently promoted from provost to chancellor, talks about the job and the state of the university.

Some Thoughts on Shared Governance (PDF)
In the pursuit of shared governance, the Faculty Senate has launched a series of initiatives for the 2002-2003 academic year, including revision of the Faculty Handbook and streamlining Senate organization. The administration welcomes this activity.