In November 1969 UT began a program of providing special assistance to handicapped students. Originally, the function was housed in the Admissions Office, where assistance was provided for schedule planning, class enrollment, purchase of books and materials, notification of faculty of handicapped students’ needs, and parking. The Treasurer’s Office allowed late payment of fees without … Continued

UT and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory announced in December 2009 the establishment of a new Distinguished Fellowship program providing students with an opportunity to take part in research activities at both institutions as part of the work toward their degree. The fellowships, funded jointly by UT and ORNL and renewable for up to five … Continued

The Distinguished Scientist program between UT and ORNL was officially established by the signing of a memorandum of understanding by UT Chancellor Jack Reese and ORNL Director Herman Postma on February 11, 1983. The agreement set forth the broad outlines of a program intended to attract “scientists of national status” in order to “enhance the … Continued

Faculty who are appointed as Distinguished Service Professors are among those who have demonstrated effectiveness in teaching; distinction in subject matter or professional field, as evidenced by publications or other appropriate demonstrations of distinction; and distinguished records based on other qualifications that may be regarded as supplements to the two other criteria. The chief academic … Continued

The Diva (divine, intellectual, virtuous, African American sisters) Opals is an empowerment group for African American women founded in 2005 by Jocelyn Milton, then associate director of Minority Student Affairs. It had its first full year of operation in 2006. The group is actively engaged in volunteer activities, campus programs, and provides speakers on topics … Continued

The university reaffirmed its commitment to providing a more diverse campus when the UT Board of Trustees approved the Statement of Commitment to Diversity and Equal Opportunity as required by the Geier Consent Decree. At a meeting on December 11, 2001, the board adopted the statement: “The primary mission of The University of Tennessee is … Continued

During fall 2010 and spring 2011 the Division of Student Affairs engaged in an in-depth strategic planning process through which it determined that the title Division of Student Life better represented the division’s focus and mission. The name was changed in summer 2011.

Lurita Doan became the first female to serve as the chief executive of the US General Services Administration (GSA) when she was sworn in May 31, 2006. Nominated by President George W. Bush on April 6, she was confirmed by the Senate on May 26. Doan earned the AB degree with honors in English in … Continued

In 1968, when the bachelor’s degree was required for admission to the UT College of Law, the college followed the national trend in changing the degree offered from the LLB to the JD.

Persons who have earned a doctoral degree or who have been granted an honorary degree are entitled to wear academic doctoral gowns. The gowns are usually black, but some institutions, such as Harvard and Wesleyan, use an alternate robe in the color of the institution. Robes in the discipline color (such as light blue for … Continued