A major renovation of the President’s Residence was completed in summer 2001, at a total cost of $787,597. When Dr. Shumaker was hired, he was told by board of trustees members that additional improvements would be made to the president’s residence. Shumaker requested that unfinished space be turned into two bedrooms for his sons, which … Continued

At the June 2003 meeting of the board of trustees, President John Shumaker requested that “given the situation with the budget . . . there be no discussion or decision on a compensation issue for the president until the situation makes it possible to recognize everyone for their achievements.” Under the terms of his contract, … Continued

Following the release of a report by UT’s Internal Audit Division, Governor Phil Bredesen negotiated the unconditional resignation of John Shumaker from the presidency of the University of Tennessee, which Shumaker tendered on August 8, 2003. Bredesen also negotiated a severance package to settle his $735,000-per-year contract. The settlement was approved on August 21 by … Continued

Dr. Shumaker was issued an American Express travel card through the university’s travel card program in April 2002. Shumaker made charges on the card from April 5 through June 11, and because he had not moved to Knoxville, the charges were mailed to him at his office address and were unpaid. American Express suspended the … Continued

State Representative Bill Dunn requested, in June 2003, that the State Joint Fiscal Review Committee look into the matter of President Shumaker’s use of the UT plane. Dunn questioned a March 9 trip Shumaker made from Birmingham to Little Rock with Carol Garrison, president of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who had been provost … Continued

A sick leave bank for employees of the Knoxville campus was established on August 1, 1989. Employees join the sick leave bank by contributing unused days of sick leave. A board of employees allocates the days in the bank to employees who have used up their sick leave but are not well enough to return … Continued

A state program was begun in 1981 for faculty and staff employed by UT for a full calendar year prior to July 1 and eligible to accrue sick leave. Bonuses, which were not directly funded by the state, were for not using sick leave. The yearly bonus was set at $240 for employees who used … Continued

Founded at the University of Alabama in 1856, the UT Chapter (Kappa) of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity received its charter on June 18, 1879. Alexander McMillan was the first of six initiates, but only four of the six charter members returned to the university in the fall. Although they succeeded in initiating four new members, … Continued

Sigma Alpha Iota was founded June 12, 1903, at the University of Michigan School of Music by seven upper class and graduate students. It was an International fraternity for women. Gamma Rho Chapter was installed at UT on April 23, 1960, replacing the Women’s Musician Association of the University of Tennessee.

Sigma Beta Rho, originally founded as a South-Asian interest fraternity, was established at UT in 2006. The fraternity was founded at the University of Pennsylvania in 1996 and in its first few years of existence changed its focus to one with a broad, multicultural mission. Its motto is Brotherhood Beyond all Barriers; its colors are … Continued