Diversity Legislation Update
The House Education Administration and Planning Subcommittee yesterday considered two bills impacting diversity and inclusion efforts at the University of Tennessee. The first proposal, HB2248 by Representative Micah VanHuss (R-Jonesborough), originally sought to prohibit state funding from being spent in support of the UTK Office of Diversity and Inclusion. As initially drafted, it diverted all … Continued
Senate Committee Recommends Budget Amendment Stripping Funds from UTK Office of Diversity and Inclusion
The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday voted to recommend a budget amendment, sponsored by Senate Education Chair Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville), that cuts and re-assigns $8 million from the UT Knoxville budget to UT Extension and to rural outreach through UT Martin and UT Chattanooga. Further, the amendment’s language states “only federal funds shall be expended … Continued
Senate Panel Zeros In on Diversity Funding at UT
The Subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Joey Hensely (R-Hohenwald), spent the majority of their time diving into diversity efforts and associated spending at University of Tennessee campuses.
UT Pushes for More Advocates
Joe DiPietro, president of the University of Tennessee, knows it’s expected that he or a UT lobbyist will walk into the office of a legislator and advocate for the university. But when alumni and other constituents show up, their presence adds another level of credibility and influence, DiPietro said. To increase that influence, the system … Continued
Op-Ed by President Joe DiPietro: UT’s Advocates Vital to Steering Through Change
More than 60 officials from 33 universities came to Nashville last week for a national conference hosted by the University of Tennessee. Members of the Public Higher Education Legislative Advocacy Professionals have responsibility for grassroots political advocacy on behalf of their institutions. As such, they all face a rapidly changing landscape in which advocacy has … Continued
Featured Resource
