Posted: Wednesday, June 29, 2011 12:02 pm

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees approved a 9.9 percent instate tuition increase for students attending the University of Tennessee at Martin effective for the 2011 fall semester. Approval came Thursday during the board’s annual meeting in Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees will now cost undergraduate students an additional $264 or $3,359 per semester to attend UT Martin. An additional campus out-of-state fee was capped, resulting in a total cost for out-of-state students totaling $9,564 per semester. Full-time undergraduate enrollment is a minimum of 12 hours. “Despite our best efforts to manage costs, raising tuition and fees is a painful action that is necessary given the continuing reduction in state support,” said Dr. Tom Rakes, UT Martin chancellor. Tuition and fees will increase $313 for in-state graduate students at UT Martin for a total cost of $3,895 per semester starting this fall. An additional out-of-state fee also was capped, resulting in a total cost of $10,100 per semester. Full-time graduate enrollment is nine hours per semester. On the heels of that decision came one by the Tennessee Board of Regents to increase tuition and fees at all TBR-governed public universities and community colleges for the 2011-12 academic year. Tuition increased by 11 percent for University of Memphis students. Approved during the UT Board of Trustees meeting that also affected UT Martin were a $15 fee in two math labs, a $30 fee for two engineering courses and a $125 fee for biology field investigations course. The Student Activity fee was increased $10 per semester, the residence hall fees increased 4.4-4.9 percent, and meal plans also reflected a 3 percent increase. Other actions involving UTM that were approved included: • The UT Martin Compensation Plan for legislated raises. UT Martin has chosen to provide a 3 percent across-the-board increase. Additionally, UT Martin plans to provide a 1 percent non-recurring merit bonus in October provided enrollment and state appropriations do not deteriorate. • A system-wide uniform set of standards of conduct, along with revisions to other aspects of the student conduct rules for each campus, including UT Martin. The board’s action followed approval of the revisions by Rakes, with consultation with student affairs officers, students and faculty. • A measure to align with new state high school graduation requirements that more closely connects curricula and graduation requirements with higher education and workforce demands, by adopting changes to the UT undergraduate campuses admissions requirements. Beginning in fall 2013, additional high school math and science credits will be required for college admission. • Action naming the new Rhodes Golf Center in honor of Bill and Amy Rhodes, of Memphis, UT Martin alumni. Their recent gift commitment will fund more than half the cost of the practice facility for the golf team and a learning lab for the turf management students. Amy Plunkett Rhodes earned a communications degree in 1991 at UT Martin and a master’s degree at the University of Memphis. Bill Rhodes received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and was a member of the golf team. He is AutoZone president and chief executive officer. Both are involved in a number of philanthropic efforts. • The sale of gift property from the late Nadine Gearin with the proceeds going to the L. Nadine Gearin Scholarship Endowment. Information items included the following: • A presentation by Rakes about the realignment of UT Martin recruitment strategies – analyzing ways to encourage enrollment of more highly qualified students from within an expanded recruitment sphere from adjoining states. • The introduction of the new UT Martin faculty and student trustees – Dr. Janet Wilbert, assistant professor of health and human performance, and Teresa Fowler, a Camden nursing major. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam last week approved the appointment of five members to the UT Board of Trustees. Among those included two non-voting members with ties to the UT Martin campus. Haslam appointed Dr. Janet Mary Rasmussen-Wilbert, Ed.D., as a non-voting faculty trustee and Teresa K. Fowler as a non-voting student trustee. Dr. Wilbert is professor of health and human performance and athletic training coordinator at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Wilbert also serves as faculty senate president at UT Martin and previously served as chair and co-chair of the Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society (TATS). Dr. Wilbert joined UT Martin in 2000 to start the athletic training program. Fowler graduated from Camden Central High School in 2009 and is currently a sophomore at the University of Tennessee at Martin. The nursing student was appointed Student Government Association Attorney General for 2010-11 and elected Student Government Association Student Court Justice. Fowler is University Scholars vice president and has served as University Scholars Community Service Chair. Fowler is also a member of the National Honor Society at UTM, National Association of Student Nurses and serves as Volunteer Girls State Senior Counselor. The 26-member UT Board of Trustees is the governing body of the university, overseeing the educational and operational activities of the statewide University System. The governor serves as an ex-officio voting member of the board and, by election, as chair.

WCP 6.28.11