Tag Archives: Governor Bill Haslam

Haslam Names Interim Finance and Administration Commissioner

Posted on by

Martin-LarryUT alumnus Larry Martin has been named by Governor Bill Haslam as interim Finance and Administration Commissioner.  He will take the helm of the state’s Department of F&A on Monday, June 1.  Current Commissioner Mark Emkes retires May 31.

“Under Gov. Haslam, Tennessee has taken incredible steps toward making state government more responsive to its customers, the taxpayers, and I want to thank him for this new opportunity to serve the state,” Martin said.

Martin, 65, has served as an adviser to Haslam throughout his tenure as Mayor of Knoxville and as Governor.  He will serve in the interim role until a replacement has been selected.

Prior to pursuing public service, Martin was an executive of First Horizon/First Tennessee Bank.  He joined the company in 1969 and served in various capacities.  He moved to Knoxville in 1987 when he was named president of First Tennessee Bank Knoxville.  When he retired, he was serving as chief operating officer for First Tennessee Financial Services with responsibility for all Tennessee Regional Bank Markets; Merchant Services Processing; Hickory Venture Capital; and the Commercial, Corporate, and Middle Market Divisions of the bank.

A native of Jackson, Tenn., Martin received his bachelor of science from the University of Tennessee’s College of Business. Throughout the years, he has been involved in many community activities, including the University of Tennessee Foundation.

“I am grateful that Larry has agreed to step into this position and serve Tennessee taxpayers in this capacity,” Haslam said. “He has been critically important in helping us establish the systems and organizational structure to begin recruiting, attracting and retaining the best and brightest to serve in state government, and I look forward to continuing to work with him as interim commissioner of F&A.”

The search for a permanent replacement is ongoing.

Haslam, Tracy Speak to UT Advocacy Council

Posted on by
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.

Higher Education Governance: Not the Focus of the Haslam Administration This Year

Posted on by

After a series of discussions on higher education and workforce development with business and community leaders, elected officials, educators and administrators, the Haslam Administration announced yesterday evening that they will not be seeking legislation to alter the structure of higher education governance this year.

The Governor stated that his administration had nothing major in terms of legislation planned for public higher education institutions.  However, the Governor did state that he remains concerned about the rising student cost to attend college, and announced that his administration will continue to look for ways to help relieve the burden of that cost.  Expanding scholarship opportunities is one potential avenue the administration is considering.

Quoted by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Governor revealed some of the items up for discussion.  “We’re looking at everything from broadening the scholarship program we have now, tnAchieves, and helping people go to community colleges free or whether we can make better use of an online education program that might work for some people to continuing what Tennessee started with the Complete College Act.”

The Tennessee General Assembly convenes on January 8, 2013.  Check back for updates on the Governor’s higher education agenda as well other legislation that would impact the University of Tennessee System.

Higher Education Budget Hearing Highlights UT Strengths, Needs

Posted on by

Governor Bill Haslam held his final round of budget hearings yesterday, November 13.  Present for testimony were UT President Joe DiPietro, Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan, and Tennessee Higher Education Commission Executive Director Rich Rhoda.  THEC’s state funding recommendation for FY 2013-14 included a $35.5 million dollar increase for higher education.  The increase would be a welcome change due to the dramatic decline in public funding for higher education that has occurred over the last ten years.

Per the Governor’s request, THEC also prepared a contingency plan for higher education funding which included a 5% budget reduction.  This request was not unique to higher education–all state agencies were asked to submit such plans.  It has been noted by the Governor that if these cuts are implemented they will not be uniform across each state agency.  Based on the funding recommendation provided by THEC,  a six percent tuition increase for Tennessee’s public universities was recommended for FY 2013-14.  A three percent increase was recommended for community colleges and technology centers.

President DiPietro’s testimony centered around three critical higher education areas: quality, access, and affordability.  Some notable points from his testimony are below.

Quality
Over the last five years, the UT System has increased the number of undergraduate degrees awarded by 21.4% and graduate degrees by 12.4%.  UTK and UTM have the state’s highest graduation rates amongst public universities, with UTC holding the state’s fourth highest rate.  The UT System is producing more graduates in STEM areas, with an increase of 29% in the last five years.  Our campuses are regularly recognized for quality by independent organizations such as US News and World Report and the Princeton Review, and this year is no different.  In fact, UTK is now ranked 46th in US News and World Report (up one spot from last year), UTC was named a “Best Value” by US News, and UTM was ranked a “Best in Southeast” by the Princeton Review while having the state’s highest student satisfaction rates.

Access
UT continues to focus on access and a diverse student body.  Through the UT Martin Centers in McNairy County, Jackson, Parsons and Ripley, rural counties in Middle and West Tennessee are connected to the University. Due to these centers, 900 students have initiated their pursuit of higher education and subsequently graduated from UTM.  Online degree programs have also provided increased access.  The UT System has 63 academic programs that are completely online.  Combined, these programs enroll over 5,300 students.

Affordability
Tennessee college graduates have the 9th lowest debt burden in the nation.  At UT’s undergraduate campuses, student debt has gone down some 13% over the last five years.  While tuition has increased, campuses have kept net cost (cost after application of merit and need based aid) to students at relatively low levels.

At the hearing, President DiPietro requested that the Governor consider higher education funding with increased weights for STEM degree production.  He also highlighted the need for an increased appropriation for UT’s Non-Formula Units.  One of the last topics addressed by the President was faculty and staff compensation.  While other state agencies receive full funding for salary increases, higher education does not, requiring 40-50% of these funds to be generated through tuition.  President DiPietro articulated that UT seeks full state funding of these salary increases and flexibility for administering them.

The Governor’s budget proposal will be presented to the legislature in late January.  Budget discussions amongst the legislature will occur thereafter, the final budget resulting in the spring.  The UT Board of Trustees will consider tuition matters in June 2013, a decision largely based on the actual amount of appropriations provided by the state.

To view the archived video of the hearing, click here.  For more information about the recommended budget, visit the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s website.

Higher Education Budget Hearing to Occur Nov. 13

Posted on by

In addition to being Election Day, November 6th marks the beginning of the Governor’s FY 2013-2014 Budget Hearings.  The hearings will be held over the course of one week, with higher education scheduled for Tuesday, November 13th at 9:30 A.M. CST.  All proceedings are accessible live online at www.tn.gov.

Governor Haslam provided a brief preview of the process in the below video, emphasizing support for higher education.

“We remain committed to investing in education and will be very intentional about higher education funding in this year’s budget. Education is crucial to attracting and growing Tennessee jobs.  Revenue collections continue to exceed expectations.  When more money is coming in, there is often a rush to spend those dollars.  Working with the legislature, we’ve been careful to hold back the reigns on additional spending. I think it’s our job to provide the very best service to Tennessee taxpayers at the lowest cost, and we take that job seriously.  The public budget hearings are a first step in making sure that we get it right.”