As I have considered the comments from the Faculty Meeting yesterday, I want
to share some encouraging news. 

 

I have the unique opportunity of serving as the Vice President of the
University of Tennessee National Alumni Association this year.  It is an
honor and privilege as I am a graduate of the Chattanooga and Knoxville
campuses.  I am also serving on the UTC Alumni Board.  During every alumni
meeting I have attended since May, the need for additional state support has
been expressed.  I recently attended the UT Alumni Legislative Council
meeting in Knoxville. This organization is comprised of alumni dedicated to
effective government relations.   Approximately 200 people listened as Dr.
Petersen and Hank Dye (newly hired Vice President of Public and Government
Relations) delivered the "game plan."   The legislative commitment is to be
open, honest, accessible and responsive; provide accurate and consistent
information for informed decisions; encourage campus visits and
communication with faculty and students; promote accessibility and frequent
contact with UT leadership; and assure good stewardship and accountability
of funding.  This plan will be enhanced by developing relationships, trust
and credibility, strategic coordination, a quick response, information
sharing, a buddy system, and people sharing the UT system story.   We can
expect another UT Day on the Hill will be held this spring with students
visiting with elected officials.  I am personally encouraged that our
University is moving in this direction.  We are mobilizing a grassroots
network that includes people who care about our students and our faculty.
These are individuals who recognize the personal benefits of higher
education.  

 

President Petersen and Vice President Dye outlined five good reasons for
supporting the University of Tennessee:   " #1 UT needs to be a world class
teaching and research institution in order to help power the state's
economy, improve Tennessee's image and keep our best students at home.  #2
The University's partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory gives
Tennessee a "best in world" technology capability that means better jobs and
better quality of life for all Tennesseans.  #3 Only 19% of Tennesseans have
college degrees compared to the national average of 25%.  Increasing the
number of college graduates is the key to economic impact.  #4 A top-quality
education requires the resources for the best teachers, adequate classrooms
and the right equipment.  #5 The total cost of attending UT is still a
bargain, and tuition costs are below the average for our competitors.  To
maintain the right balance of accessibility and quality, we need more
non-tuition funding."  

 

For several years, I have assisted the American Physical Therapy Association
as the Federal Government Affairs Liaison for Education.  The lesson I have
learned is that elected officials want to hear stories about their
constituents who are affected by various laws and decisions.  They are less
interested in what's in it for you personally. I want to encourage you to
talk about all the reasons to support the University of Tennessee this next
year. I believe that a unified effort with support from administration,
faculty, staff, alumni, and students has the potential to open doors for us
in the future.  

 

Please feel free to contact me with suggestions and questions.

 

Debbie Ingram, PT, EdD

Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education & UC Foundation Professor

Physical Therapy Program

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

615 McCallie Ave

Chattanooga, TN 37403

423-425-4767

FAX 423-425-2215