Dear Campus Community,

In the first few weeks of the new presidential administration, numerous executive actions have been issued that may impact higher education.  We are actively monitoring these shifts in federal policy, working collaboratively with President Boyd, the Chancellors from other UT campuses, the Office of the General Counsel, and the Government Relations team to ensure that we have a coordinated and systemwide approach to our compliance.

As President Boyd said last week, we will continue to do our work across the system unless specifically directed otherwise by a federal agency. If you receive a communication from a federal agency that is specifically related to your work, please contact Yousef Hamadeh at yousef-hamadeh@utc.edu.

Additionally, we have received questions about how UTC employees can communicate with government officials in response to the changing federal landscape. UT policy requires all contact with Congressional offices and other covered federal officials on behalf of the University be coordinated through the UT Division of Government Relations, Advocacy, and Economic Development. More information about the policy is available here.

Finally, as we navigate these challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to academic freedom, as outlined in Board of Trustees policy BT0006 – Policies Governing Academic Freedom, Responsibility, and Tenure. The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees, as the governing body of our institution, recognizes that freedom of inquiry and expression is indispensable to our mission of discovery, teaching, research, and service.

The regulatory environment for higher education is rapidly evolving, and we will continue to keep you informed as we learn more. Thank you for your dedication to our shared mission and for all you do for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the UT System.