Tennessee Technological University
Staff Advisory Committee to the President
Multipurpose Room - RUC
September 9, 2004
Present: Anderson, Bussell, Holley, Klein, McNeal, Padgett (presiding), Debbie Walker, and David Walker
Others present:
President Bell, Ms. Pogue and Ms. Watson
Welcome
Chairperson Gina Padgett opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. and
welcomed the attendees to the meeting.
Introductions of the committee members were made.
President’s Comments
President Bell welcomed everyone back to campus for the start up of the fall 2004 semester. Enrollment is at a record high, and President Bell thanked everyone present for all they do to make Tennessee Tech a caring campus for the students.
Tennessee Tech has been named one of the “Best in the Southeast” by The Princeton Review. According to The Princeton Review, the goal of the list is to “identify some of the colleges and universities that we feel stand out within each region and, in particular, to raise public awareness of many schools that may not be as well known as they should be.” Tennessee Tech was among 136 institutions that made the list for the Southeast. The Princeton Review based its listings on standards for academic excellence and surveys of current students. Additionally, Tennessee Tech is once again listed by U.S.News & World Report as one of the “Top Public Universities in the South” and among the South’s top 40 “Best Universities” overall in the Master’s category, which includes both public and private schools.
President Bell commented that this is the start of a new year, and it’s great to kick it off with some great news like these rankings, but there is a lot more to accomplish. The University Vision Committee, chaired by Dr. Barry Stein, has completed a yearlong process and will be presenting the new University vision statement this fall. It states, quite simply, that TTU WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST UNIVERSITIES IN THE NATION THROUGH A COMMITMENT TO THE LIFE-LONG SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS.
This focus on student success is great, and it is the kind of thing that a great university should emphasize. The University’s role in the life-long success of students begins when they enter Tennessee Tech. Every effort should be put forth to be a caring campus.
Congratulations to the winners in the Tech Pride decorating contests. In the large division—Interdisciplinary Studies and Extended Education placed first; in the small division—the Records Office placed first. The General Accounting Office won the door competition. President Bell thanked all who participated for showing “Tech Pride.”
Tech employees received a 3 percent across-the-board raise, effective July 1. There will also be a one-time bonus in October of this year. The bonus will provide $70 per year of service up to 25 years ($1,750) with a minimum of $210 for any employee on the payroll as of June 30. Guidelines for the bonus were devised by the Legislature.
Country Superstar Vince Gill will be in concert at Tennessee Tech on Thursday, November 4, at 7 p.m., at Tennessee Tech’s Hooper Eblen Center. Tickets will be available at all Ticketmaster outlets starting on September 25. Tech employees and students will be privy to two presale days, September 23-24. All ticket proceeds will benefit the Tech School of Nursing. First National Bank of the Cumberlands is sponsoring the event.
Congratulations to the following ambassadors:
June—Tammy Guzlas, Public Affairs
July—Nancy Furton, Curriculum and Instruction
August—Etter Staggs, Electric Power Center
September—Kathleen Scott, Child Development Lab
Appreciation and congratulations were expressed to those individuals who have retired or announced their retirement from the University:
Jack Barton—Facilities Warehouse, June 2004
Ron Grills—Manufacturing Research Center, August 2004
Susana Harwood—Water Resources Center, June 2004
Delores Wheatley—Athletics Administration, June 2004
Other Such Matters
Chairperson Padgett reported that one suggestion was received in the suggestion box. The suggestion and the response by Director of Residential Life Roger Dickson were as follows:
Suggestion: “This may be the wrong place to make my suggestion, but I will start here. I feel that it is very inappropriate for the young college students to be lying out in the sun on the front lawn. If I were a visiting parent it would definitely be a mark against the school. Furthermore, I believe the girls are putting themselves in danger of being a crime victim. If this were a swimming pool or someone’s back yard, the circumstances would be different. Since this is a public school, I believe that certain morals and decency should be upheld for the good of the school and safety of the students.”
Response: The
writer states a concern for students who lie out in the sun in bathing suits
around the residence halls. I would
like to point out the writer said this activity would be acceptable in the
students’ back yard or at a swimming pool.
For a lot of students, the residence halls are their home away from
home. We encourage students to stay
here on campus, because we can offer them a place where they feel at home. The writer also voiced a concern for the students’
safety, but we have hall officers, emergency phones, and campus police for
security to protect these students so they can feel safe. I believe that students lying out in the sun
around the halls shows prospective students they can feel at home here and that
this among many other activities can take place on campus.
Award of Service Pins
President Bell presided over the presentation of service pins to the clerical and support staff, list attached. The number of years of service represented totals 1235.
The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.
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Last Updated: September 29, 2004
For more information, contact TWatson@tntech.edu
