May 19-25, 2026
Updates and news for the week of May 19-25, 2026
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 Peyton Schultz (peyton-l-schultz@utc.edu) in the Division of Communications and Marketing by 3 p.m. on Friday for placement in the following Tuesday’s newsletter.
Highlights
Accessible Routes Near Fletcher and Founders Halls
UTC Facilities is working with Tennessee American Water to install a water main between McCallie Avenue and Oak Street through June 1.
The map shows the fenced construction areas, water main location and accessible pedestrian paths during the project. Updates will be provided if accessible routes to and from the southeast doors of Fletcher Hall need to change as work progresses.
The accessible route coming up the ramp on the Founders Hall side and through the northeast doors of Fletcher Hall is expected to remain unchanged.
* * * * *
New Sign-in Experience for UT Applications
On May 27, 2026, UT will be updating how you sign into applications like Adobe Creative Cloud, DASH, Qualtrics and Zoom. This change will affect any application that grants access using UT’s Central Authentication Service where you are currently prompted to sign in with your NetID. After the change, you will log into these applications with your Microsoft username instead of just your NetID.
What will look different on May 27:
- The sign-in page will have a new look.
- You will quickly be redirected to Microsoft’s sign-in page when logging in.
- If you are already signed in, you may not see the new screen until you log out.
How do I find my Microsoft username? Your Microsoft username is the address that you currently use to log into Outlook and other Microsoft 365 applications. It may also be located by going to MyMocsNet and looking for the O365 username in the “Account Info” widget.
This update continues the effort to deliver a modern, consistent authentication experience across University platforms. Click here for more information.
* * * * *
Join the UT AI Hub
The UT System Department of Technology Solutions and Office of Innovative Technologies have launched the UT AI Hub, a new centralized platform that provides secure access to leading large language AI models, including ChatGPT, Claude and Grok.
The UT AI Hub is designed to support academic and professional work while keeping institutional data secure. The platform allows users to access AI tools without exposing sensitive information to public systems, ensuring data remains compliant and within the university environment.
Additional AI resources are also available to the campus community, including UT Verse, a university-tailored AI assistant platform, and Microsoft Copilot Chat, which supports research, content creation and document analysis.
These tools are centrally funded and available at no cost to students, faculty and staff. Click here to learn more about UT’s AI resources.
Outstanding People of UTC
 Cheyenne Higgs (photo by Michael Siarkowski) UTC alum Cheyenne Higgs, who earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in December 2025, has received the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) award—one of the nation’s top honors for graduate students pursuing research-based degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
* * * * *
 Joshua Kim Joshua Kim, son of Dr. Seong Dae Kim, associate professor of engineering management in the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science, earned second place in the Biochemistry category at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona. ISEF is the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition, with approximately 1,700 finalists competing across 22 categories.
Kim, a senior at McCallie School, previously won first place overall at the Chattanooga Regional Science and Engineering Fair hosted by UTC in March.
* * * * *
Check out these Mocs in the news:
- Center for Regional Economic Research Director Howard Wall spoke to NewsChannel 9 about rising gas prices in Chattanooga.
- UC Foundation Associate Professor of Political Science Saeid Golkar published an article in The Journal of Middle East and Africa.
- Director of the Clarence T. Jones Observatory Steven Kline joined Jed & JR Mornings to discuss UFO documents recently released by the Pentagon.
Mark Your Calendar
Faculty and staff are invited to serve, rally and have some fun in the Intramural Pickleball League, running June 8-July 2 at the Aquatic and Recreation Center. Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new to the game, it’s a great way to unwind, connect and get moving. Games will take place from noon-1 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.
Registration is open through Wednesday, June 3, in the Fusion Play app for iPhone and Android. Grab a teammate and join the action.
* * * * *
The Department of Communication will launch “Common Ground,” a new civic communication series exploring the intersection of trust and community, with events scheduled this fall in the Roland Hayes Concert Hall.
The series will feature nationally recognized scholars whose work has shaped conversations around civic engagement and social infrastructure:
- Wednesday, Sept. 24: Eric Klinenberg will present “The Power of Social Infrastructure,” examining how shared public spaces—from libraries to parks—can strengthen communities, 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 21: Robert D. Putnam will present “Rebuilding Social Capital in America,” focusing on the decline and potential renewal of civic life in the United States, 6 p.m.
Both events are free and open to the public. Faculty, students and community members are encouraged to attend. Faculty interested in hosting guest visits or small group discussions with the speakers can contact Brandon Bouchillon for more information.
Campus Updates
The Manage My Housing portal is open now until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, for students to change their fall 2026 residential meal plan. Meal plan eligibility is based on earned credit hours. If your spring 2026 or summer 2026 credits will change your student classification, please wait until final grades are submitted before you attempt to make a change.
The University classifies undergraduate students as freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors according to the number of credit hours the student has completed:
- Freshman: 0-29 semester hours
- Sophomore: 30-59 semester hours
- Junior: 60-89 semester hours
- Senior: 90 or more semester hours
The Meal Plans are listed by student classification. Please refer to this link for that information.
* * * * *
 Dr. Rosite Delgado (photo courtesy of Joni Martin) UTC hosted the graduation ceremony for Youth Leadership Chattanooga’s (YLC) College & Career Readiness Program at the Wolford Family Athletic Center. Organized by the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga, the 10-month program helps high school sophomores and juniors across Hamilton County build leadership skills and explore future educational and career pathways.
The ceremony celebrated 40 graduates and included remarks from Dr. Rosite Delgado, executive director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, who congratulated students on their accomplishments and encouraged them to consider UTC as they continue their academic journeys.
* * * * *
Middle School to Mocs kicked off Friday, May 15, and continues through today (May 19). With appreciation for the volunteer presenters who helped make the program possible, UTC congratulates the participating eighth-grade students on their promotion.
* * * * *
Operation Move In (OMI) 2026 is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, August 19-20, in residential spaces for new students across campus.
OMI provides an opportunity for faculty, staff, students and organizations to come together and create a welcoming, supportive environment for incoming students and their families. A campuswide committee is coordinating the two-day event, with volunteer roles including unloading, moving, parking and greeting.
Those interested in volunteering can register here. For more information, contact the OMI Volunteer Committee co-chairs Erica Holmes Trujillo and Dr. Andrew McCarthy at omi@utc.edu.
* * * * *
A Moc’s First Year is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to host a First Class session on Friday, August 21, immediately following Convocation.
Volunteers will spend about an hour welcoming new students, leading a brief activity, sharing tips for a successful first week and helping students feel more comfortable as they begin their college experience. Click here to volunteer.
* * * * *
If you’re a bowler, runner, can dodge a ball, good at trivia or the best cornhole player in your neighborhood, we need you to help us score points for UTC in the Chattanooga Corporate Challenge.
UTC is entering a team in this adult field day on Saturday, June 6, at Finley Stadium, competing against companies from all over town. You can score points for the team in events as simple as a one-mile walk or as competitive as a tug-of-war. For more information and to sign up, click here.
* * * * *
UTC students, faculty and staff can explore the city through the UTC Library’s Chattanooga Passport program, which provides free access to a variety of local attractions and events through community partnerships.
Participants can check out passes or reserve tickets for experiences such as the Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Zoo, Chattanooga Football Club, Tivoli Theatre performances, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, Hunter Museum of American Art, Ruby Falls and more. Passes may be available in physical or digital formats, with details provided upon reservation.
Each user may reserve one pass or set of tickets per partner per calendar year and must present a valid UTC Mocs ID when redeeming or picking up passes. Click here to learn more and check out passes.
* * * * *
The National Science Foundation Noyce Track 2 fellowship project is accepting applications from STEM-degreed professionals to prepare to teach secondary mathematics and science through the Master of Education degree program. Please contact Deborah McAllister or click this link for project details.
* * * * *
UTC Choruses has openings for tenor and bass singers for the upcoming academic year, with scholarship opportunities available for select positions.
Openings are available in the UTC Chamber Singers and Orpheus Chorale. The Chamber Singers is an advanced, auditioned ensemble with a history of regional, national and international touring. Auditions take approximately 10 minutes and include a brief vocal selection, range check and sight-reading. Students interested in auditioning can contact Kevin Ford to schedule a time.
Students can also join Chattanooga Singers (MUS 0020) or Orpheus Chorale (MUS 0027), both of which are open to all experience levels and do not require an audition. All ensembles are offered for one credit or zero credit, allowing flexibility for students with varying course loads.
* * * * *
Two new Oracle Fusion Data Intelligence (FDI) reporting resources are now available in DASH, offering enhanced tools for reviewing payroll and labor data. Step-by-step guidance is available through the job aid links, and users can access the dashboards via the FDI Landing Page.
The Payroll Balances – Department Dashboard (roadmap ID #54) allows departments to review and verify payroll totals, pay composition and potential outliers. Replacing the IRIS Check Register, the dashboard provides current information to help identify issues early, prevent errors from carrying forward and reduce the risk of unexpected budget impacts. A brief review after each payroll run is recommended to better understand key payroll drivers, including regular pay, overtime and other variances. Access to this dashboard is limited to users with Human Resources roles.
The Labor Encumbrance Dashboard (roadmap ID #13) provides compensation distribution and encumbrance amounts for compensation, fringe and F&A. The dashboard includes three levels of detail—Department, Project and Person—for streamlined navigation and reporting.
* * * * *
An Academic Meeting Professionals Conference will take place August 27-28 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, offering professional development and networking opportunities for meeting and event planners across the University of Tennessee System.
Designed specifically for UT employees, the conference features sessions focused on event planning, logistics, budgeting, communication, vendor management and guest experience. Attendees will hear from industry professionals, including Dollywood experts, and have the opportunity to connect with UT colleagues and a range of vendors. Click here to register.
* * * * *
UTC is gearing up for a summer full of camps for local K-12 students, with options ranging from quantum computing to sports clinics. Designed to keep students active and engaged, camps are led by UTC faculty, staff and athletics programs and offer opportunities for elementary, middle and high school students to explore new interests and sharpen skills.
- Mocs Adventure Camp (K-8): Weekly sessions June 1-July 31; activities include climbing, swimming, sports and games; $320 per week.
- Challenger Exploration Camp (rising 3rd-6th graders): July 6-31; space missions, coding, robotics, rocket launches and local excursions; $290.50 per week.
- Quantum Summer Camp (rising 10th-12th graders): June 15-18; hands-on exploration of quantum computing and real-world problem-solving; $200.
- Chattanooga Volleyball Camps (various ages): June and July sessions; costs vary.
- Men’s Basketball Camps (ages 7-17): June 22-25 and July 20-23; $310.
* * * * *
The Counseling Center has partnered with Parkridge Mental Health Therapy Center to offer extended services on the UTC campus. Parkridge at UTC is open from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and offers individual therapy, group therapy and intensive outpatient services for students, faculty and staff.
The Parkridge Mental Health Therapy Center is located off the UC Foundation Apartments courtyard (Suite 5217). To schedule an initial appointment, call 423-468-5213. Students who are already receiving services through the UTC Counseling Center are encouraged to speak with their provider about whether Parkridge at UTC is a good fit for their needs.
* * * * *
UT Promise is a last-dollar scholarship that covers remaining tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Tennessee residents at UTC and includes required mentoring and community service. Student Success Programs has received requests from UT Promise students for mentors to help support them during their time at UTC, with students required to meet with a mentor at least once per semester for guidance, questions and goal-focused encouragement. Faculty and staff can complete the interest form or contact Student Success Programs with questions, and additional information will be shared with those who express interest.
* * * * *
The Chattanooga Mocs will host the Mercer Bears on Saturday, Nov. 7, for Homecoming 2026 at Finley Stadium—a date students and alumni will want to circle in blue and gold.
Homecoming week will feature campus events and competitions leading up to kickoff, making it one of the most anticipated traditions of the year. The Mocs hold a 61-31-4 all-time record in Homecoming games and are 3-2-1 against Mercer in past Homecoming matchups.
Season tickets are on sale now, with season pass renewals open through Friday, May 29. For assistance, contact the UTC Ticket Office by email or by phone 423-266-6627.
UTC Newsroom
The UTC Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall was filled with proud parents, excited students and a genre-spanning soundtrack as the second-ever University High graduating class prepared to receive diplomas.
* * * * *
 Photo courtesy of Dr. David Aborn For students in a UTC Biology 4170 Ornithology course, spring break became an opportunity to study birds and ecosystems firsthand along the South Carolina coast.
* * * * *
 Photo by Clara Paulson UTC has been selected as one of 10 institutions nationwide to receive a Gilman Pioneering Institution Grant, a new initiative from the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program as part of the America250 celebration.
At UTC, the grant will support “STEM Global Career Pathways: Helping UTC STEM Students Turn Study Abroad into Career Success,” a program designed to help students understand how global experiences translate into career opportunities in STEM fields.
* * * * *
Here are some other recent UTC stories featured in the Newsroom:
- At UTC, students from nursing, psychology, linguistics and other fields are changing careers, expanding their skills and moving into tech through the master’s program in computer science. Students pursuing an M.S. in Computer Science come from a range of academic and professional backgrounds, each with different experiences, goals and interdisciplinary strengths.
WUTC
On this episode of WUTC’s “Scenic Roots,” student storytellers of Rising Rock from the spring 2026 semester share their stories.
|
