TTU operates only "essential services"

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (July 1, 2002) – Hundreds of Tennessee Tech University students and employees are affected as the General Assembly failed to approve a state budget before midnight June 30.

As Governor Don Sundquist signed House Bill 3301, the "Essential Government Services" Act, TTU and all other Tennessee Board of Regents campuses have cancelled classes scheduled to begin this week and told most employees not to report to work Monday.

Effective today, TTU will operate under the following "essential services" guidelines:

• No new classes (second summer term) will begin the week of July 1.
• All full-term ongoing classes will continue to meet Monday, July 1, and Tuesday, July 2, only.
• All full-term ongoing classes will be suspended beginning Wednesday, July 3.
• Only those employees who have been notified by their supervisors or faculty who are teaching during the full summer term should report to campus Monday, July 1. (A list of essential personnel can be found at http://www.tntech.edu/statebudget/personnel_list.html.)
• All administrative and departmental offices, unless deemed "essential services," will be closed July 1-5.
• Staff deemed non-essential may take any accrued annual or compensatory time during the covered period.
• The Hyder-Burks facilities, Hooper Eblen Center, TTU Fitness Center, Craft Center gallery and TTU cafeteria will all be closed Monday.
• Food services will be available in the campus Grill only.
• All Athletics Department activities will be cancelled.
• Residence Halls will remain open for currently enrolled students, international students, and those currently enrolled in Geier programs.
• Community service/contract programs for high school students and other off-campus people will be closed in an orderly manner, ensuring the safety and well-being of those on campus. (The President's School for Information Technology has received a special exemption and will continue to operate.)
• Activities funded by external fees and charges and not supported by state funds may continue. (The Child Development Laboratory will remain open.)
• All federally funded programs will continue operation as normal.
• The computer lab in CH313 will be open Monday and Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. to support students in full-term ongoing classes.

Assuming the General Assembly passes a budget bill this week, normal activities are expected to resume on campus July 6. Regular updates and details are posted on the university's web site at www.tntech.edu

--Monica Greppin

This information posted 1 July 2002