Student reaction to the placement of Alice Aycock’s sculpture on the pedestrian mall in 2009 was swift. Within a few days of its placement, a Facebook group titled “The Pedestrian Mall Sculpture is Hideous” sprang up and had more than one thousand members within a week. Students called the piece an “eyesore” and “of poor … Continued

Petitions, articles in the Daily Beacon, and visits from students to administrators resulted from news in early January 2009 that UT was considering removing the tuition cap, under which students paid for 12 hours a semester—a full load—and additional hours cost no additional money. The proposal had been estimated to increase revenues by $25 million … Continued

Following the August 2010 revelation that Bruce Pearl had previously lied to NCAA investigators and had been supported in the lie by assistant coaches, students generally supported UT’s decision to impose penalties rather than firing him. The gravity of the situation was underscored by suspension of Pearl for eight SEC games by the SEC Commissioner. … Continued

In 2010 more than one hundred students marched down the pedestrian mall equipped with signs, microphones, and charts to protest the 6 percent budget cut to higher education. They marched to the front of Hodges Library. The marchers targeted increased funds spent on administration and expressed concern that jobs being created from stimulus funds would … Continued

When students and other fans learned of Lane Kiffin’s resignation, in the evening of January 12, 2010, reaction was swift and negative. A large crowd gathered outside Neyland-Thompson Sports Center, where Kiffin was inside making his announcement, and chanted obscenities and ripped up Kiffin T-shirts. Other students burned mattresses and vandalized the sculpture on the … Continued

When a resolution that would allow individuals with valid Tennessee concealed carry permits to keep their secured firearms in their locked cars was introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly in February 2010, the UT administration openly opposed it. In March, the Student Government Association Senate considered a resolution expressing student opposition to the resolution, which … Continued

The School of Music and the UT band were relocated to five locations—Dunford Hall, Melrose Hall, Alumni Memorial Building, and the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Building. The move took place following the spring semester of 2010 in order to allow construction of the 123,000-square-foot Haslam Music Center on the same site. In November more … Continued

In 2011 students with ties to the Baker Center presented a rebuttal to the report of the Baker Center Task Force, urging continuance of the original emphasis on student and civic engagement, maintaining the size of the museum as it was, and continuing the Baker Learning Center. The students contended that implementation of the task … Continued

In 2011 the Progressive Student Alliance held a poorly attended rally in the Humanities Amphitheater to voice concerns about the state’s proposed 2.4 percent budget cut. PSA prepared preaddressed postcards to be sent to Senator Stacey Campfield concerning the budget and additionally soliciting his support for a cost-of-living raise for higher education employees.

Closing the cafeteria in Sophronia Strong Hall on January 28, 2011, touched off strong reactions from students, staff, and members of the community for whom Sophie’s Place was not only the source of good food but also pleasant memories. The function was replaced by the Southern Kitchen, located in Volunteer Hall, but students complained about … Continued