Statement from Acting President Emerson H. Fly

      We are very encouraged by the news reports coming out of Nashville
today regarding discussions within the Tennessee General Assembly. The
stories indicate that some movement from previous positions is occurring,
particularly in the Senate, and a real possibility exists to break the
budget stalemate. For the good of The University of Tennessee, this must
occur. Faculty, staff and students understand so well the negative impact
that has resulted from more than a decade of inadequate funding. We cannot
continue the trend of the 1990s when tuition nearly doubled while state
funding increased by about 1.5% a year.

If you are as encouraged as I am by these reports, you need to contact your
State Senator and State Representative and tell them you support doing
something now. Express thanks particularly to those who are helping to find
common ground. Ask others to make calls, too. It is imperative that the
voices of those who want to do something for public education funding be
heard. The opposition will be heard.



Chuck Cantrell
Director, Office of University Relations
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
201 Founders Hall
Chattanooga, TN 37403

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Voice (423) 755-4363
Fax (423) 755-5299