Students expressed in the Daily Beacon and to the Student Government Association their dissatisfaction with the combining of Spring Break (March 21–24) with Spring Recess (March 25) in 2005, leaving only the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in early January as a break during the semester. Richard Bayer, enrollment services dean, indicated that the Spring … Continued

The Progressive Student Alliance began its major petition drive in early March 2005 to have all UT employees receive a flat $1,200 raise rather than the 2 percent raise currently scheduled to be applied in July. The petition drive continued until March 17, when the petitions were presented to UT President John Petersen.

In 2005 students living in other residence halls and commuter students complained about the practice of providing 80 free special parking permits to Gibbs Hall residents for use in the C-8 Commuter Lot across the street next to Circle Park. Parking Services responded that the arrangement was one of long-standing and that the current press … Continued

Because of construction of the Haslam Business Building, exiting the University Center Garage onto Andy Holt Avenue was eliminated in 2005, and the ability to pause long enough at the Money Wall to use an ATM was prohibited. Students voiced strong disapproval of the change, and a small number of short-term parking spaces were installed … Continued

In 2005 Tennessee’s Tomorrow Student Government Association campaign party was disqualified by the SGA Election Commission because its expenditures of $10,051.83 exceeded the $8,500 campaign spending limit. The party’s 16 senators-elect were barred from taking office. Unsuccessful candidates for SGA president and vice president from another party petitioned for a revote, as did the senators-elect … Continued

In 2005 the Student Government Association called upon students to discuss with legislators the fact that tuition at UT had risen 150 percent during the past 10 years and to urge legislators and university officials to do everything possible to find funding from other sources than tuition for operation of the institution. Following the board … Continued

Vice President Dick Cheney came to UT to participate in the groundbreaking activities for the Howard H. Baker Center for Public Policy in November 2005. With the assistance of other student organizations, the Progressive Student Alliance organized dissenters. Protestors gathered in Humanities Plaza, where they conducted a mock trial of Cheney, charging him with war … Continued

In 2006, at the request of the Student Issues Committee and the Visual Arts Committee, the Greenwood Mural in the University Center Ballroom, covered with paneling since 1972, was uncovered to allow a dialogue about the mural and race. Students were divided about whether the mural should remain uncovered, with some African American students feeling … Continued

In April 2006, as initial planning for the update of the UT Master Plan began, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Denise Barlow announced that it might be necessary to relocate the Rock in order to build a parking garage on the site. The Student Government Association took a stand in favor of leaving the … Continued

Lambda Student Union distributed flyers and articles on the pedestrian walkway on February 18, 2006, opposing the Tennessee resolution against gay marriage. The resolution (Senate Joint Resolution 31) proposed that Tennessee’s constitution be changed to read: “The historical institution and legal contract solemnizing the relationship of one man and one woman shall be the only … Continued