Chattanooga has no shortage of things to do.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Library is making it easier for students, faculty and staff to explore all the city has to offer.
Through the Chattanooga Passport program, members of the UTC community can check out passes to some of the area’s most popular attractions, including the Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Zoo, Ruby Falls, Chattanooga Theatre Centre and Chattanooga Football Club.
“We’re a community-engaged University,” said Katie Gohn, collection services department head in the UTC Library. “We want students to get out and experience Chattanooga.”
Gohn said the program grew out of the library’s ongoing efforts to support student wellness and create opportunities for engagement outside the classroom.
“We know that a lot of our students—and faculty and staff—may not have extra money laying around to take advantage of all the cool things the community has to offer,” she said.
The campus community can reserve passes through the UTC Library and check them out at the circulation desk using their Mocs ID. Depending on the attraction, passes may include admission for families, groups of friends or individual performances and events.
Current Chattanooga Passport offerings include:
- Audubon Acres Pass: Admission for up to two adults and four children.
- Chattanooga Football Club (Student Pass): Admission for up to five students.
- Chattanooga Football Club (Faculty/Staff Pass): Admission for two adults and up to four children.
- Chattanooga Symphony & Opera: Admission for up to two adults and four children.
- Chattanooga Theatre Centre: Admission for up to four individuals.
- Chattanooga Zoo Pass: Admission for up to two adults and four children.
- Hunter Museum of American Art: UTC students can purchase a discounted annual membership for $15, which provides unlimited admission for one year.
- Paradise Garden: Admission for up to four adults.
- Ruby Falls Pass: Admission to the Cave Walk to Ruby Falls for two adults and two children.
- Tennessee Aquarium Pass: Admission for two adults. Additional guests are subject to standard admission fees.
- Tivoli Theatre Foundation: Admission for up to two individuals.
Gohn said many of the organizations involved immediately saw value in helping connect UTC students, faculty and staff with experiences throughout Chattanooga. The partnerships benefit both the University and the community by introducing new audiences to local arts, culture, recreation and entertainment opportunities.
“Some of them are giving hundreds of dollars of passes a month in order for people to be able to do these things,” she said. “I think it shows a nice community commitment to what we’re trying to do.”
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