KNOXVILLE, Tenn—The University of Tennessee has identified its audiology and speech pathology department as part of a proposed budget cutting measure across its statewide system to address a $21.1 million shortfall in revenue from the state’s reduced budget appropriations.

UT President John Petersen said the budgets are based on limiting proposed tuition increases to 6%, which holds the line on increases to the same as last year. Final tuition determination and budgets are subject to approval by the UT Board of Trustees.

The UT Knoxville campus reduction totaled $11.1 million. Included is the phase-out or elimination of three academic programs, which include the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology in the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Business’ Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduate program, and a dance program, which is a minor concentration in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. These specific eliminations of academic programs require board of trustee approval and will be reviewed at the June 19-20 board meeting.

In addition, the Knoxville campus eliminated 44 unfilled faculty and staff positions and made reductions in planned maintenance, repairs, contracted services, travel, and purchase of technology and instructional resources.

The state appropriation reductions at UT Chattanooga amounted to $2.6 million, UT Martin totaled $1.9 million, and the UT Health Science Center $2.6 million. These expense reductions were primarily in travel, repair and maintenance, unfilled positions and similar elements.

The remaining $3 million appropriation reduction was spread over the Space Institute, Institute for Public Service and Institute of Agriculture, as well as system administration, and a number of smaller initiatives.

SOURCE: University of Tennessee