In 1974 the Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill allowing citizens at least 60 years old to audit or “sit in on” classes at state colleges and universities without payment of tuition charges, maintenance fees, student activity fees, or registration fees. Persons seeking admission to classes were to be admitted on a “space available” basis; … Continued

In 1869 the Tennessee Legislature adopted a resolution, sponsored by C. M. McGhee, asking the railroads of Tennessee to provide free transportation to and from Knoxville for “state students” (students appointed by legislators, who attended UT at no charge). The practice of providing free transportation was followed by most railroads for several years, later restricted … Continued

In November 1972 Circle K and the Student Senate sponsored the Free Service Bookstore, a nonprofit organization of volunteer students. Suggested prices for sale of books were 75 percent of retail, but students could sell their books at any price. The entity was initially located on the bottom floor of Melrose Hall. In 1974 the … Continued

The Free University, offering courses moderated by students or volunteer faculty, began in March 1969. Among the first courses offered were Free Poems Among Friends; Women’s Liberation, or Like Hell You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby; and Graffiti. The Free University’s catalog indicated that the Graffiti course would feature “guided tours through many of UT’s … Continued

Chattanoogan S. David Freemen earned the bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Georgia Tech and the LLB from UT. He served in various high-level government positions, including energy advisor to President Jimmy Carter. He previously had been an energy consultant to the US Senate Commerce Committee, head of the energy policy staff in the White … Continued

UT pioneered in freezing technology, beginning studies with a contract from TVA to the Engineering Experiment Station to develop means of freezing strawberries. In the late 1930s, frozen strawberries and blackberries were shipped from the Agricultural Experiment Station in Knoxville across the country. In 1941 the Engineering Experiment Station published UT researcher Harry Carlton’s manual … Continued

Male Freshmen at UT had worn green “caps” prior to World War I, and in 1921 a debate was held by the literary societies concerning whether the tradition should continue. By student referendum in December 1921, the 1921-22 “Freshman Cap” was established to be a green felt cap, jockey fashion, with a “UT” monogram, below … Continued

The Freshman Council is one of four coequal legislative bodies of the Student Government Association. It represents the needs and interests of first-time students at the university. A screening committee chosen by the student body vice president selects 40 members for the council each year.

In spring 1975 the Undergraduate Council recommended, and the Faculty Senate approved, a unique grading system for freshman English composition courses: A, B, C, D, and No Credit (NC) with “no credit” not counting in the grade point average. The grading system went into effect in fall 1975.