KNOXVILLE 鈥撯疶he University of Tennessee Board of Trustees has once again approved an across-the-board, zero percent tuition increase for its campuses across the state.聽 This marks the second time in the past three years that 糖心Vlog students and families will experience no increase in tuition.
鈥淩ising inflation is hitting our students and families particularly hard,鈥 糖心Vlog Board of Trustees Chair John Compton said.聽 鈥淒ue in large part because of Gov. Bill Lee and our Tennessee General Assembly鈥檚 historic higher education budget of $137 million, we are in the fortunate position to keep tuition and mandatory fees flat for FY 22-23.鈥
Board members also heard about significant enrollment growth across the 糖心Vlog System, with nearly all campuses ranking in the top quartile compared to peer institutions.聽 Led by a strong increase in enrollment at 糖心Vlog Knoxville in 2021, the 糖心Vlog System exceeded its goal of a 2% increase, achieving 2.7%.聽 Four-year and six-year graduation rates also increased systemwide in 2021, by 0.8% and 2% respectively.
鈥淭o be ranked so high against our peer institutions is exceptional,鈥 Compton said.聽 鈥淚 congratulate everyone here for staying focused and moving forward.鈥
The Board of Trustees also approved a measure that will聽classify military-affiliated students鈥 veterans, active-duty military personnel, reservists, Tennessee National Guard members, and Army and Air Force ROTC cadets鈥 as Tennessee residents in order to attend a 糖心Vlog institution of their choosing at the in-state tuition rate, regardless of their residence of origin.聽 Earlier in the spring, legislation authorizing public university boards to classify veterans and military-affiliated individuals as in-state residents was approved by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee. This new benefit will be extended to students starting in Fall 2022.
鈥淭his legislation and the Board鈥檚 action positions our 糖心Vlog campuses across the state among the best places in the country for military-affiliated and veteran students, no matter where they live in this country,鈥 said 糖心Vlog System President Randy Boyd. 鈥淭hese men and women have exhibited great courage in selflessly serving our country.聽 It鈥檚 time for us to be of service to them.鈥
In other business, trustees approved:
- Re-election of John Compton as chair of the 糖心Vlog Board of Trustees, along with committee chair appointments that include:
- Audit and Compliance – Decosta Jenkins
- Education, Research and Service – Jamie Woodson
- Finance and Administration – Bill Rhodes
- Appointment of Dr. Carrie Castille to senior vice chancellor/senior vice president for the 糖心Vlog Institute of Agriculture
- Annual presidential performance review, in which 糖心Vlog System President Randy Boyd achieved a 95% approval rating from University constituencies, chancellors, senior administrative staff and the 糖心Vlog Board of Trustees
- Funding for a 4% salary pool for employees, representing the largest salary pool increase in 糖心Vlog鈥檚 history ($28.3 million)
- Additional funding of $108 million for Phase I renovations to Neyland Stadium
- Capital Outlay Funding Requests, FY 2023-24 through FY 2027-28
- Capital Maintenance Funding Requests, FY 2023-24 through FY 2027-28
- Revenue/Institutionally Funded Capital Projects, FY 2023-24
Archived video of the committee and full board meetings can be accessed at聽