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Updates and news for the week of January 9-15, 2024
The UTC Campus Weekly newsletter is distributed every Tuesday morning. If you have news, events or announcements you would like shared with campus, please submit your information to chuck-wasserstrom@utc.edu in the Division of Communications and Marketing by 3 p.m. on Friday for placement in the following Tuesday’s newsletter.
UTC Mourns passing of Dr. Bill Stacy
Dr. Bill Stacy, chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 1997 to 2004, passed away on Jan. 4 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
During his time as chancellor, Dr. Stacy worked hand-in-hand with Scotty Probasco and the UC Foundation on building South Campus housing, changing UTC from a commuter campus to a residential institution. Just as significantly, he grew the stature of the University academically by establishing UTC’s first Ph.D. programs.
Dr. Stacy is survived by his wife of 34 years, Dr. Sue Stacy, and three children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 11 a.m. CST on Saturday (Jan. 13) at Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with a livestream on Facebook. A private burial service will be held at the Fairdealing (Missouri) Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to United Way.
Welcome Back!
Often referred to as “the fun week” by college students, the first week of school is usually the time to catch up with friends after winter break while easing into classes. UTC likes to aid in the fun atmosphere with a week’s worth of events to give students a warm winter welcome.
Winter Welcome Week offers something for everyone with plenty of additional activities, sporting events, and club gatherings that may be found on the Winter Welcome calendar.
Your Mocs Card: Now on iPhone, Apple Watch and Android Devices
Ensure you’ve always got your Mocs Card handy … Get the new Mocs Card mobile ID today. You can use the Mocs Card on iPhone, Apple Watch and Android devices to get into residence halls, campus facilities, meal plan usage and print documents at the library.
You can also use the Mocs Card mobile student ID to access your Scrappy Cash account to make purchases at the bookstore, campus dining, vending machines and other convenient locations on and around campus.
To use your Mocs Card and Scrappy Cash, simply tap your iPhone, Apple Watch or Android device against the reader and you’re done. For more information, click here.
MLK Day of Service
A federal holiday that began as a commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday is now dedicated to encouraging and empowering Americans to participate in community service.
UTC is participating in City of Chattanooga MLK Day of Service events on Monday (Jan. 15). Events are taking place beginning with an 8 a.m. kickoff party at Maclellan Gym. From there, all volunteers will go to their assigned projects with supplies in hand.
- Individuals and groups interested in volunteering for a local service project should sign up through the MLK Day of Service site. Completing the signup form allows a City of Chattanooga employee to connect you with an organization or individual leading a service project.
- Housing and Residence Life is organizing a team of up to 20 UTC volunteers. Click here for more details or email daniel-grzesik@utc.edu with questions.
Volunteer projects are expected to take place from 9 a.m.-noon.
Math Plaza has a new home
Over the holiday break, the UTC Math Plaza moved to its new location in Lupton Hall Room 114.
The UTC Math Plaza offers free walk-in math help for students taking the following courses: MATH 1010, MATH 1130, MATH 1730, MATH 1799, MATH 1830, MATH 1950 and MATH 2100. The room is set up to seat 75, and the new setup is intentionally designed to facilitate group work.
- Math Plaza hours of operation during the spring semester are Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- For more information, call 423-425-5697.
Search Committee Training Now Available Online via K@TE
Search committee orientation is a critical component of UTC’s hiring process. What was previously conducted via Zoom as search committee training has transitioned to a new and refreshed self-paced asynchronous online training module that can easily be accessed in K@TE through this link: Faculty and Exempt Staff Search Committee Orientation.
This shift ensures a more streamlined process, consistency in content, accessibility and convenience for all participants. It emerged as a collaboration between the Office of Equity and Inclusion and Human Resources and underscores our institutional commitment to continuous improvement in fostering an inclusive and equitable hiring environment at UTC.
Faculty and exempt staff members serving on search committees must undergo search committee orientation every two years if they plan to participate in the hiring process for positions at UTC. It is not required for non-exempt staff searches but is highly recommended. For more information, click here. Email oei@utc.edu with questions, comments or concerns.
The outstanding people of UTC
The Mocs Recovery Program, a collaboration between the Center for Wellbeing and the Counselor Education Program, has been fully accredited through the Association of Recovery in Higher Education’s Standardized Review for Collegiate Recovery Advancement. As a result of the ARHE review, the Mocs Recovery Program received the designation of a “fully reviewed program” with an overall score of 92%.
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Chris Dortch, an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Communication and longtime sportswriter, has been selected to the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
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Check out these Mocs making a difference:
- Junior sociology major and aspiring Olympic weightlifter Olivia Reeves was the subject of a Times Free Press feature.
- Center for Global Education Executive Director Takeo Suzuki was interviewed by Local 3 News for stories about keeping international students safe and the earthquake in Japan.
- Political Science and Public Service faculty members Michelle Deardorff (NewsChannel 9) and Chris Acuff (Times Free Press) were interviewed for their subject-matter expertise.
- Dr. Beni Asllani, professor of AI and data science, was interviewed for a Times Free Press story about how six Chattanooga companies are harnessing the power of AI.
- Majorette Kyra Bales, a 2023 graduate of Hanceville (Alabama) High School, was featured in the Cullman Tribune about the Marching Mocs trip to London.
- The UTC School of Nursing was featured on the Nurse.org website after being voted the country’s best nursing school.
Mark your calendar
UTC Public Safety officials will conduct a test of the UTC-ALERT system at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16. This test of the system will include text messages, social media, canvas, multiple emails, alert beacons and computer messages.
All student contact information is furnished to the UTC-ALERT system so that messages may be received in multiple formats.
To report any problems with or concerns about receiving emergency communication, email emergency-management@utc.edu.
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Ombuds is offering a spring event schedule of communication and conflict management professional development opportunities. Click here to view the ombuds events Google calendar.
For additional ombuds offerings and other January staff development opportunities, please click here for the Campus Updates link.
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The UTC Research Institute will be bringing five prominent Quantum experts to campus in January, including a pair of talks this week. All events are free and open to campus.
The series includes:
- Wednesday (Jan. 10): Jianming Wen, faculty member in the Department of Physics at Kennesaw State University, will present “Advancing Quantum Information Science and Technologies with Single Photons and Neutral Atoms,” ECS 426 (Maytag Room), 1:30 p.m.
- Thursday (Jan. 11): Dr. Chandan Setty, faculty member in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University’s Rice Center for Quantum Materials, will present “Correlated Topological Quantum Materials: Design and Realization,” ECS 426 (Maytag Room), 1:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Jan. 16: Dr. Rick Mukherjee, faculty member at Hamburg University in Germany, will present “Frontiers of Science and Technology with Controlled Quantum Systems,” MultiDisciplinary Research Building 218 (Conference Room), 1:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 17: S. Ali Hassani Gangaraj, optical scientist Quantum technology research at Corning Research and Development, will present “Nonreciprocal Photonics: A New Paradigm for Quantum Optics and Computing,” ECS 426 (Maytag Room), 1:30 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 19: Yue (Joyce) Jiang, postdoctoral research associate at JILA (formerly known as the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics), will present “Quantum-Enhanced Sensing for Axion Dark Matter, ECS 426 (Maytag Room), 1:30 p.m.
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A town hall event will take place from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 10) to discuss DASH, a new ERP system being launched by the UT System and the UTC Budget and Finance Office on July 1. Click here to register for the event.
To learn about DASH, resources, the timeline and other information, visit UTC-DASH and sign up to become a Friend of DASH to receive email updates.
If you have questions or would like to know more about DASH, contact Loman-Martin@utc.edu.
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The Gary W. Rollins College of Business will hold virtual information sessions about UTC’s Master of Business Administration, MS Data Analytics, Business Analytics Certificate, MS Management and Master of Accountancy graduate programs. The Rollins College of Business graduate degree programs provide flexible course options and career advancement resources to elevate your education and propel your career.
MBA (Master of Business Administration)
MSDA (MS Data Analytics)
Business Analytics Certificate
MSM (MS Management)
MAcc (Master of Accountancy)
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The New Student and Family Programs Office is excited to offer several orientation sessions next summer for new students starting in fall 2024. In addition to multiple in-person orientations, we will offer two online sessions that will be open to transfer students, adult students (23 years of age or older) and freshmen by exception. Registration for fall 2024 orientation will begin Saturday, Jan. 20, and can be found here.
If you are talking with students and/or parents and they have questions about orientation and enrollment, please direct them to call 423-425-5220 or email Orientation@utc.edu.
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 Becky Suss’ The Dutch House (Foyer) An award-winning novel is the inspiration for an art exhibition that the Institute of Contemporary Art is bringing to campus. A solo exhibition of new paintings by Becky Suss, inspired by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Ann Patchett’s 2019 novel “The Dutch House,” will be held from Jan. 16 to March 16 at ICA Chattanooga, accessed through the lobby of the UTC Fine Arts Center.
As part of the show, an opening conversation featuring Suss and Patchett will take place from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, in the Engineering and Computer Science Building’s Benwood Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required. The auditorium seats 300 people. An official exhibition opening reception will follow in the ICA and Fine Arts Center lobby until 5 p.m., with Patchett and Suss in attendance.
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 Portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. by Chattanooga artist Jerry Allen. The portrait was commissioned by the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. On Thursday, Jan. 25, the UTC Department of Music, the Ruth Holmberg Professor of American Music, the Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement and the Office of Multicultural Affairs will partner with the Bessie Smith Cultural Center to present “O King.”
The free concert, open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. in the Bessie Smith Cultural Center performance hall (200 E. M.L. King Blvd.). The venue is accessible.
Musical performances will include the Singing Mocs, a Pentatonix-style a cappella vocal group; a UTC Music faculty trio; the Littleton H. Mason Gospel Choir; vocalists from Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts, including Ella Hill and JerRod Taylor; and local professional musicians. Additionally, spoken word artist Erika Roberts will perform a newly created work.
Campus Updates
Announcing the Harris Chair Innovation Mini-Grant Program, a new opportunity for all faculty and staff at UTC to support innovative ideas and solutions. Applicants must have the intention to pursue commercialization of their work through licensing or entrepreneurship. Proposals for funding up to $5,000 will be considered. Click here to apply.
Who is eligible?: UTC faculty and staff from all colleges whose innovative ideas have the potential for commercialization or entrepreneurial endeavors. Early-stage innovations are eligible.
Application process: Interested researchers must apply by Wednesday, Jan. 31, for up to $5,000 in internal grant funding. Please note that direct compensation to the awardee is unallowable. Awardees can use these funds for supplies, travel or other reasonable and allowable expenses under UT policy to accelerate the success of their ideas, innovations and commercialization objectives. Awardees will be announced by Feb. 20.
Contact Thomas-Lyons@utc.edu or Jennifer-Skjellum@utc.edu with questions.
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The Undergraduate Admissions Office will be hosting the annual Blue and Gold Preview Day- Spring Edition for prospective students and their families on Saturday, March 23. Blue and Gold Preview Day-Spring Edition includes a tour of campus, an academic department fair, a student organization showcase and a residence hall open house.
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It’s never too early to think about summer camp! Mocs basketball is hosting a kids camp for girls and boys ages 7-14 on June 24-27. Camp sessions will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily.
The cost is $260, including T-shirt and meals, and discounts are available for early bird signups, siblings and UTC employees. To register, visit chattanoogawomensbasketballcamps.com.
For questions, email tyler-r-clark@utc.edu.
Looking ahead
 The Mocs men’s tennis team begins the 2024 portion of its schedule on Saturday (Jan. 13) in Starkville, Mississippi (photo of Gabriel Castillo courtesy of GoMocs.com). This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:
- Wednesday (Jan. 10): Women’s basketball vs. Mercer, McKenzie Arena, 7 p.m.
- Thursday (Jan. 11): Men’s basketball vs. VMI, McKenzie Arena, 7 p.m.
- Saturday (Jan. 13): Women’s basketball vs. Samford, McKenzie Arena, 2 p.m.
- Saturday (Jan. 13): Men’s basketball vs. UNCG, McKenzie Arena, 7 p.m.
Looking back
 Freshman Sophia Bullington and her mom, Amy Hall The opening of residence halls last Friday brought the first group of students back to campus for the start of the spring 2024 semester.
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Thanks to programmatic innovations in both divisions, the Department of Performing Arts has been dissolved and replaced with a pair of autonomous units. When students returned to campus for the spring semester, they came back to the Department of Theatre and the Department of Music.
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Here are some other recent UTC stories featured in the Newsroom:
WUTC Spotlight: Scenic Roots
 Cam Busch and Tony Smith Cam Busch and Tony Smith are a creative couple whose contributions to—and support for—the arts ripple throughout this community. Busch, a UTC alum, is a pioneer in art therapy. Smith, who formerly worked in local government for 27 years, has been writing songs since the late 1990s.
Their story was recently the subject of a Scenic Roots conversation on WUTC-FM.
Be Well Tip: Welcome back—and stay healthy
Students, as you settle back into the routine of campus life, here are some tips to keep you healthy as we continue to navigate the cold and flu season amidst ongoing concerns about COVID:
- Wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay up-to-date on vaccinations, including the flu shot and any recommended COVID-19 boosters. Both are offered at most local pharmacies and may be free or low-cost with health insurance.
- If you are experiencing cold and flu-like symptoms or feeling unwell, stay home, check your temperature, mask up and get tested.
- Give your immune system a little help: eat your fruits and veggies, stay hydrated, get 7-8 hours of sleep a night, get lots of fresh air, and get movement in daily.
- Stay informed about the latest health guidelines and updates from University Health Services, the CDC and other reliable sources. When possible, avoid large group gatherings or gather outside rather than inside.
UHS is available by appointment for evaluation and treatment if you are feeling unwell. Call 423-425-2266 to schedule.
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