Category Archives: Advocacy Events

Haslam, Tracy Speak to UT Advocacy Council

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Sen. Jim Tracy addresses UT Advocacy Council

Sen. Jim Tracy Addresses UT Advocacy Council

NASHVILLE—The UT Advocacy Council met for their annual winter meeting this past Saturday, February 2.  Despite inclement weather, more than 100 University of Tennessee advocates from across the state met to discuss a number of legislative issues facing the University and how they could help.

Senator Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) delivered the keynote address, where he discussed the necessity of quality higher education for a prosperous Tennessee.  Senator Tracy also issued a challenge to each of the meeting participants:  Contact and get to know their legislators on a personal level to strengthen the influence that they can have in state government.

Following Senator Tracy’s address, the UT Office of Government Relations and Advocacy staff held a panel discussion on current legislative issues that will impact the University and hosted questions from the Advocacy Council members.  The lively discussion revealed strong constituent support for the University and rapidly growing interest in advocacy.

After the meeting’s adjournment, advocates enjoyed a reception at the Governor’s Executive Residence.  The reception was held in memory of Mr. Emmett Edwards, the Alumni Legislative Council’s most recent Chairman.   Special guests included Governor Bill Haslam, Senator Jim Tracy, and UT President DiPietro.

We would like to thank the Advocacy Council members for their service, support, and commitment to higher education in Tennessee.  We would also like to thank Governor Bill Haslam and Senator Jim Tracy for their participation, meaningful support, and service to the State.

Early Voting Begins October 17

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Early voting begins on Wednesday, October 17 in Tennessee and will continue until Thursday, November 1.  Utilized by many for its convenience, early voting allows voters to select any early voting location operated by their local election commission office (you are not bound to the precinct listed on your voter registration card).

As of January 1, 2012, casting your ballot now requires the use of photo identification.  Please see the information below on which forms of identification are accepted at the polls.

From the Tennessee Department of State:

What IDs are acceptable?

Any of the following IDs may be used, even if expired:

  • Tennessee drivers license with your photo
  • United States Passport
  • Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
  • Photo ID issued by the federal or any state government
  • United States Military photo ID
  • State-issued handgun carry permit with your photo
What IDs are not acceptable?

College student IDs and photo IDs not issued by the federal or a state government are NOT acceptable.

Who is exempt?
  • Voters who vote absentee by mail (view requirements here)
  • Voters who are residents of a licensed nursing home or assisted living center and who vote at the facility
  • Voters who are hospitalized
  • Voters with a religious objection to being photographed
  • Voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee
What if I registered by mail and am voting in my first election?

Federal law requires first time voters who register by mail to present one of the following:

  • A current photo identification with voter’s name and photo OR
  • If the photo identification is expired, the voter must also present one of the following: a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the voter’s name and address.

Do you care about higher education issues facing the state?  Learn what state legislative candidates had to say about the issues before heading to the polls. Be an informed voter and view our candidate survey before you cast your ballot.

House Speaker Beth Harwell, Rep. Mark White Visit UTHSC

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House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) and Representative Mark White (R-Memphis) visited the University of Tennessee Health Science Center yesterday to tour the campus, interact with students, and discuss the institution’s mission and multiple impacts on education, research, and outreach.  Also highlighted at the meeting was UTHSC’s substantial statewide economic impact.

Some findings from UTHSC’s latest economic impact study follow:

  • UTHSC’s total economic contribution to the state amounted to more than $2.3 billion.
  • UTHSC received $126.6 million of state appropriated dollars in FY2010. The $2.3 billion total impact exceeds the state appropriation by a factor of more than 18 to 1.
  • UTHSC was directly and indirectly responsible for approximately 21,096 jobs across the state.  The largest share of these jobs are in the Memphis area.
  • The 21,096 jobs created by UTHSC resulted in a total of $792.1 million of earnings, or about $38,140 per worker in FY2010.  In comparison, Tennessee per capita personal income in 2010 was just $35,307.
  • Memphis, where the main UTHSC campus is located, contributed the most in total economic impact, representing about 73.8 percent of the total $2.3 billion impact.  The other two major UTHSC locations, Knoxville and Chattanooga, represent 17.3 percent and 8.9 percent, respectively, of the total.
  • Of all physicians practicing in Tennessee, 34.3 percent were graduates of one of the four Tennessee colleges of medicine; of these, 66.7 percent were graduates of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine.  The other three medical schools in Tennessee (Vanderbilt University, Meharry Medical College, and East Tennessee State University) together account for just 11.1 percent.

The University of Tennessee is grateful to Speaker Harwell and Representative White for taking time to learn more about the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and its distinctive contributions to education, research, clinical care, and public service.

To read the full economic impact study, click here.

Vice Admiral Visits UT Knoxville, Meets with University Leaders

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Vice Admiral Harry Harris visits with Tom Ladd, Associate Dean of Research and Technology at the UTK College of Business Administration

Today, the University of Tennessee hosted Vice Admiral Harry Harris of the United States Navy.  Harris, a native of Crossville, Tennessee, currently serves as the assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

During his campus visit, Harris received briefings conducted at the Howard Baker Center on the University’s academic, research and public service mission areas as the state’s Land-Grant University.  He was informed of UT’s role in co-managing Oak Ridge National Lab and the work of UT Knoxville’s Governor’s Chairs in the areas of nuclear engineering, energy storage, materials science and smart grid technology. Also highlighted were the efforts to upgrade the UT-ORNL supercomputer to be the fastest de-classified computer in the world.

Harris spent time discussing the UT-Air Force Management Partnership with UT leaders during his visit.  The partnership currently trains over 3,000 personnel through the UT Knoxville National Defense Business Institute.

Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, Sen. Jim Summerville Tour UT

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Sen. Becky Duncan Massey (R) Knoxville and Sen. Jim Summerville (R) Dickson were guests of UT President Joe DiPietro, UT Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek and UT Institute of Agriculture Chancellor Larry Arrington for a tour on Wednesday and Thursday of UT Knoxville and Ag campus facilities. Oak Ridge National Laboratory officials helped host the senators in their visit to joint UT-ORNL facilities in Oak Ridge. UT and ORNL leaders are grateful to both senators for making time to learn more about the University’s broad and multiple impacts in education, research and outreach.