The University of Tennessee board of trustees has voted to extend the employment of UT System President Randy Boyd through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2030.
Since his appointment in 2018, Boyd has spearheaded numerous initiatives designed to move the UT System forward. Since fall 2019, total enrollment has increased 13.8%, while six-year and four-year graduation rates have increased 3.8% and 3.0%, respectively. Bachelor’s degrees awarded grew 9.3%, while graduate and professional degrees increased 17.1%.
Boyd also established UT Promise, an undergraduate scholarship program guaranteeing free tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying Tennessee residents attending UT’s campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and Memphis. Additionally, he led the effort to acquire UT Southern, the fourth undergraduate campus in the UT System, which represents the only public four-year institution of higher education between Chattanooga and Memphis.
As with the first five years of Boyd’s service to UT, he has requested no salary for the remainder of his employment. The University will continue to provide Boyd with a stipend in the amount of $10,000 per year to cover costs related to enrollment in the state group health insurance plan during the remainder of his term of service.
12 TN counties eligible for FEMA assistance
Gov. Bill Lee’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration making the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program was approved and made available to 12 Tennessee counties to rebuild, repair, and restore facilities and services impacted by the early May severe weather, tornadoes and flooding.
The 12 counties eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance include Cannon, Cheatham, Giles, Hamilton, Jackson, Macon, Maury, Montgomery, Polk, Smith, Sumner and Warren counties.
“From debris removal to restoration of infrastructure, there are many ways FEMA’s Public Assistance program can aid impacted communities from the financial burden of disaster recovery,” says TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan.
The Major Disaster Declaration allows eligible government entities and certain private nonprofits in declared counties to apply for reimbursement of specific expenses related to the disaster under FEMA’s PA program. Information about FEMA’s PA program and its reimbursement categories can be found on FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/assistance/public.
CHI Center receives IHI age care recognition
CHI Memorial Center for Healthy Aging has achieved special recognition as an Age-Friendly Health System – Committed to Care Excellence in its ongoing efforts to ensure age-friendly care for all older adults.
The clinic, which specializes in geriatric medicine, collected data over a three-month period about the number of older adults who received a set of evidence-based elements of high-quality care, known as the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mentation (Mind), and Mobility.
“We have always been committed to care excellence and are humbled to have achieved this recognition,” says Alycia Cleinman, M.D., geriatrician, CHI Memorial Center for Healthy Aging. “The Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative continues to be an important part of our overarching vision to provide every older adult with the best care possible.”
In 2020, about one in six people in the United States was age 65 and over, according to the U.S. Census bureau. By 2030, the agency predicts one in every five Americans will be 65 years of age or older.
Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the U.S.
Information: ihi.org/agefriendly.
UTC nets College of Distinction designations
Colleges of Distinction, an organization that honors higher education institutions that excel in delivering exceptional student experiences and producing successful outcomes, has recognized the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in eight different award categories for the institution’s commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed.
UTC has been designated a 2024-2025 College of Distinction and a Tennessee College of Distinction. The organization also recognized UTC for career development, as a public institution of distinction and for its business, education, engineering and nursing programs.
According to the Colleges of Distinction website, “Our honored list of 2024-2025 Colleges of Distinction vary in size, cost, location, academic offerings and more, but they are all distinguished by their commitment to the undergraduate experience.”
Colleges of Distinction evaluates institutions based on four overarching distinctions: student engagement, teaching, community and outcomes.
“Being listed on the Colleges of Distinction website is a prestigious acknowledgment for any college or university. It signifies that the institution has met rigorous standards and is committed to fostering an environment where students can thrive academically, socially and professionally,” says Dr. Jerold L. Hale, UTC provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.
“The process of receiving these designations was quite lengthy and detailed. We were interviewed about a range of different topics, including first-year experience programs, high-impact practices, internships, student access, campus inclusiveness for students from underrepresented groups, our academic programs, and financial support available to students.”
AAA: 1.6M Tennesseans to travel holiday week
AAA projects Independence Day travelers will set records both nationwide and in Tennessee. More than 70.9 million people around the U.S. are expected to travel 50 miles or more away from home. Nearly 1.6 million of those will be Tennesseans.
“The summer travel season is off to a hot start and we expect to set new travel records on the road and in the sky during the week of Independence Day,” says Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “There will be 3.5 million more travelers than last year. That means even more people at airports and popular attractions like beaches, lakes and theme parks.”
Despite concerns about inflation, total travel is increasing on growth in consumer confidence, wages, and continued strength in consumer spending.
• Consumers are expected to increase spending by 5.5% compared to a year ago.
• Real gross domestic product growth will remain modest, rising by 2.5% from last year.
• After falling steadily since January, consumer confidence moved up in May.
• Gas prices for May averaged $3.62, seven cents higher than a year ago.
AAA projects a record 60.6 million people will travel by car over Independence Day week – that’s an additional 2.8 million travelers compared to last year. This year’s number also surpasses 2019 when 55.3 million people traveled by car over July 4 week.
Meanwhile, road travel in Tennessee will set a record for the second consecutive year. More than 1.4 million Tennesseans are expected to take a road trip. That’s 63,500 more than last year.
Tennessee drivers are currently paying less on gasoline than they did last Independence Day, when the state average was $3.06. Gas prices have been moving lower as of late. However that downward trend could reverse course if oil prices rise because of geopolitical tensions or a hurricane that threatens oil rigs and refineries along the Gulf of Mexico.
Habitat opens online applications July 2
Habitat of Greater Chattanooga is opening their online application process to select future homeowners Tuesday, July 2. Applications will be accepted throughout the month and will close July 31.
The faith-based nonprofit housing organization has been making a difference in the lives of Chattanoogans since opening its doors in 1986. It is guided by the vision of building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with families in need of a decent and affordable home.
Successful applicants must meet three program requirements. First, they must show a need for housing by living in low-income/ high housing costs; unsafe dwelling; overcrowded conditions; homelessness; unsafe surroundings; or that the home cannot accommodate the needs of a disabled household member.
Secondly, applicants must have the ability to pay a 30-year, 0% interest rate mortgage. The house payment includes principle, property taxes and homeowner’s insurance. Applicants must meet low-income guidelines based on family size.
Finally, applicants must be willing to participate in Habitat’s “Sweat Equity” program. Each future homeowner must complete 15 hours per month toward 200-400 hours depending on ability and household size before moving into their new home. Sweat equity is hands-on involvement of future homeowners in the construction of their homes, as well as in other Habitat and community activities. Families also attend education classes to complete their sweat equity hours.
Those interested in becoming future homeowners are encouraged to start the prequalification process by applying online when the application opens Tuesday, July 2. The application process will be open until July 31.
Information: www.habichatt.org.