In early June 1987, Chancellor Jack Reese appointed a 13-member Task Force on Race Relations to study the quality of life for African Americans at UT. Reese indicated that it was a dual issue, stating in a Daily Beacon report, “There are some perceptual problems that need to be addressed and there are some real … Continued

The outlining of problems with student recreational facilities by the Student Government Association in summer 1994 led to the appointment by Phil Scheurer, vice chancellor for administration and student affairs, of a task force to consider the problems and possible resolutions. The Task Force on Recreational Facilities for Students issued a report in September 1995, … Continued

Chancellor Jack Reese appointed the Chancellor’s Task Force on Retention on August 6, 1987. The task force was charged to investigate ways that UT could improve student retention by preventing dropouts and aiding students in moving toward graduation. Marianne Woodside, associate professor of human services, was appointed chair of the group.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Philip Scheurer appointed a Task Force on Safety on August 24, 1988. The group, chaired by Dean of Students Jerry Askew, made its report in November 1988. It found the campus to be “relatively safe,” considering the openness of the campus and its physical accessibility. The report focused on violent … Continued

On December 7, 1971, Chancellor Archie Dykes appointed a Task Force on Women, chaired by Dr. Lida Barrett, professor and head of the Mathematics Department, to evaluate the experiences of female students, faculty, and staff and to make recommendations in whatever areas improvements were needed. The task force issued its final report on November 14, … Continued

Deborah Taylor Tate earned the baccalaureate degree from UT in 1977 and the JD in 1980. She served as a member of the Federal Communications Commission from January 2006 to January 2009. Among her many responsibilities at the FCC, Tate served as chair of both the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service and the Federal-State … Continued

Tau Beta Pi was founded on June 15, 1885, at Lehigh University. The permanent national headquarters of this engineering honorary organization is on the UT campus—since 1963 in Dougherty Engineering, in a 2,000-square-foot office complex officially named the R. C. Matthews Headquarters of the Tau Beta Pi Association. Professor R. C. Matthews had been elected … Continued

The national Tau Kappa Alpha debating fraternity granted the University of Tennessee a chapter in 1916. The charter members—those who qualified for membership through their success in debating—were J. A. Fowler Jr., H. J. Fowler, E. H. Malone, S. G. Abernathy, C. G. Gentry, and C. C. Ross. This national honorary debating fraternity for men … Continued

The first sorority on the Hill to be organized by Jewish women, Tau Sigma was given recognition by the Administrative Council in December 1930. Rachel Schulman, a junior in education from Jackson, Tennessee (who transferred from Northwestern), was the first president.

The Tau Theta Delta Fraternity was established in 1930. Its colors were green and white and its flower was the carnation. In June 1932 the Tau Theta Deltas decided to disband and most members pledged Lambda Chi Alpha.