Tennessee Technological University
Staff Advisory Committee to the President
Tech Pride Room - RUC
September 6, 2005
Present: Bledsoe, Buckner, Bussell, Dedmon, Glasscock, Holley, Magdalena, McNeal (presiding), Parker, and Wassom
Others present: President Bell, Ms. Pogue and Ms. Watson
Welcome
Chairperson Sheila McNeal 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 commented on the University’s involvement with Hurricane Katrina victims as well as students. He announced that the Hooper Eblen arena was named as a possible center for Katrina refugees. The arena would serve as a triage for temporary holding until a more permanent and stable habitat could be located for the refugees. When and if refugees will arrive on campus is unknown. FEMA is in charge of relocating refugees.
We are saddened to report the death of Music Professor Joseph Rasmussen. Arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Enrollment Numbers
As of Friday, September 2, headcount is at 9,174. This is 43 short of last year’s final headcount of 9,217. The census count date is September 11, 2005, and we anticipate that enrollment will be slightly higher than last year’s.
Nursing Building
The state budget approved by the Tennessee Legislature included $15.4 million for construction of our new School of Nursing facility. This facility will serve as a significant resource in overcoming a state and national nursing shortage that is expected to grow in the future. President Bell stated that he is grateful to many TTU friends and alumni for their outstanding support as well as our state legislative delegation for including the funding in the budget.
Ranking
Tennessee Tech is again ranked a “Top Public University in the South” for its ranking category and also as one of the “Best Southeastern Colleges” overall in its category, by U.S.News & World Report. Rankings include both public and private schools for the South. And this year, TTU is the only Tennessee school included on the short list of 11 institutions. This is the sixth year the university has earned some type of top-level rankings by the publication.
Also, TTU was again chosen as a “Best Southeastern College” by The Princeton Review.
STEM
TTU is excited about the new center for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM Center. Dr. Maggie Phelps and the STEM Steering Team have produced a great vision for the new center. NASA has endorsed the vision and allocated 1.3 million federal dollars to the project.
Tech Pride Means Student Success
President Bell made the following comments relative to Tech Pride. Student success means more than grades in a classroom—it’s a complex weave of the campus experience, including teaching excellence, caring instructors and staff, an interesting and stimulating on-campus experience, a progression through challenging materials, a diploma that one is proud of, and a life-long experience that, on occasion, can be tied back to time spent at an outstanding university.
As the new academic year begins and you interact with new students, returning students as well as parents, remember that we all have an impact on the success of these students. We’re here to help them achieve the hopes and dreams of receiving a college diploma. Let us all remember this as we provide a “caring” atmosphere for these students.
Summer Commencement
United States House of Representatives member William (Bill) Jenkins, representing our First District, addressed 522 of our graduates during summer commencement on Saturday, August 6. Tennessee Tech has now granted more than 56,500 degrees!
Ambassadors
Recent Tech Ambassadors include June Ambassador Jennifer Roach from the Learning Resources Center, July Ambassador Steve Merryman from Facilities and Business Services, August Ambassador Dixie Ashburn from Curriculum and Instruction, and September Ambassador Sherry Ligon from our Graduation Office.
Retirements
President Bell announced the following Tech employees who have retired or announced their retirement:
Sarah Brown, Business Office
Sue Ellen Carter, English
A.C. Darty, Food Services
Don Elkins, Agriculture and Human Ecology
Barbara Litherland, Health and Physical Education
Tony Long, Facilities and Business Services
Della Mathis, Facilities and Business Services
Bobby Mitchell, Facilities and Business Services
Other Such Matters
The non-faculty grievance pool was approved by paper ballot in July 2005. The updated list is retained in Human Resources.
Award of Service Pins
President Bell presided over the presentation of service pins to the clerical and support staff, list attached.
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
<-- Back to Staff Advisory Committee
Last Updated: September 21, 2005
For more information, contact TWatson@tntech.edu
