I have worked for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga longer than any other position in my life.
Almost seven years of being part of a community that not only trained me, but taught me valuable life lessons including tolerance, acceptance, customer service, empathy, sympathy, and survival during hard times and political oppression.  Obviously, I was not drawn to UTC for any chance of fame or fortune, nor for its monetary rewards, but I feel I gained all these things by being allowed to help those I served.

Some people at the university have been very special to me, not because we always saw eye-to-eye, but 
because they made me grow as an individual.  I was educated at UTC without any formal classes by 
Charles Hill, a wonderful cherished employee of Facilities.  Charles was always there with a smile, a caring attitude he always showed his under appreciated staff in building services, and a very strong sense of what was right and wrong.  

Beverly McGowan and Connie Ratchford.   Beverly stood beside me even though we fought like sisters
during several life dilemmas.  Connie made me smile and shared the joy of getting our hands dirty with 
anticipation of beautiful blooms.  

Mr. Scott.  (Charles Scott). Who treated me better than a supervisor probably should have during defiant
Life changes.  But recognized a hard worker and knew he could count on me to perform beyond his own
expectations.  

Bill Stacy.  I once challenged Dr. Stacy by informing him that “a man is only as good as his word”.  I don’t
think he ever forgot that and seemed to go out of his way to let the UTC community know that he was a good man.  Dr. Stacy is not only charming, he is good looking.  Easy on the eye and good for the soul.   He seems to look right into your eyes and sees your soul. Not only that, he is affectionate.  He truly gives the most reassuring hug as person could hope for…I have challenged him a few times and he doesn’t hold a 
grudge.  UTC should be thankful to have him as a leader.

We also have a saint in our community.  Molly Kotarski, Academic Advisor for Athletics, has influenced so many students and staff in her career, that she truly should have upped her masters for a doctorate in 
Psychology.  She is extremely underpaid, yet works 60 hours a week to make sure that everyone is taken care of…there is no question that she loves working with students.  It is unfortunate that she is no longer able to teach because of her time constraints in Athletics, because she is such a positive influence on all of us lucky enough to encounter her love and compassion.  

So many people, so little time.  Thank you all for allowing me to share moments with you.  I remember more of you than you know.

Now, a little advice.  Truly UTC is in financial trouble, all universities are.   It would take so very little 
effort on everyone’s part to make it better, but you’ve got to listen, then maybe there would be some money for you when raises are passed out:

Go paperless.  No kidding. JUST QUIT DOING IT!  Less than 20 percent of the community does not have access to a computer.  Quit printing every little memorandum!  Send it by email.  It is extremely unnecessary to provide each mailbox with a copy of your agenda.  If copies need to be made, let the department be responsible for the cost.  Believe me, the department will catch on.  Paper costs will inform them of the unnecessary waste!

No more mass publications of UTC Faculty & Staff Directories.  No more mass publications of Student 
Directories!  It’s online people!  If students, faculty or staff need their own copies, they can print their own.
Too many constant changes.  Too little staff and not enough paper to update them so just put them online and they are there for every body to view or update.  I’m not kidding, we spend entirely too much money on these publications, only for hundreds of people to gripe after the fact that they are not accurate.

This applies to all publications, with perhaps the exception of the Fine Arts Department.  They could produce some for outside advertisement, but let the in house advertisement be available on line.

Quit xeroxing personal stuff.  Get over it, it costs money.  Go to Kinko’s or someplace else.  UTC does not owe you to copy your own private library.  

Further, if you have to have a reception, there are plenty of options.  Can’t you pick up your own donuts and buy a $14.99 Coffee Maker, instead of paying exorbitant prices?  Rethink contracts, look for other alternatives.   

Are you tired of hearing me rant?  Sorry, just some last parting words.  Due to illness, I have had to resign my position as Administrative Secretary for Athletics Compliance/Academics.  I have applied for the sick leave bank  but don’t know if I qualify.  I can’t even begin to tell you all how much UTC has meant to me (especially all the students that  have affected my thinking process and that I have fallen in love with), and how I will miss you all and hope that,  maybe,  I have affected enough of your lives that perhaps you will miss me as well.

Nita Kay Pugh
526 Forest Avenue
Chattanooga, TN  37405
(756-0609)