Priority 4: Responsible and Effective Stewardship

Everything Vols Need and Nothing They Don’t: Transitioning Our Digital Communication Strategy for a Streamlined User Experience

Over the past few decades, as with everywhere in our society, the amount of content on UT websites exploded exponentially. This rapid growth kept pace with our competitors and was best practice at the time. But as more and more engagement with campus audiences has shifted, UT websites are now the university’s primary marketing tool.…
No Guessing: How Data Drives Decisions for Campus Recreation

What does it mean to maximize the student experience at UT? For RecSports, this means carefully collecting data that drives a strategic and agile approach to programs, spaces, and supporting the overall health and well-being of every student. RecSports serves students, faculty, and staff by providing a wide variety of programs and well-maintained facilities for…
Campus Partnerships Increase Accessibility through Student Disability Services

During the past year, Student Disability Services has explored several avenues for expanded student support. Collaboration with other university units and student input has led to three new initiatives to help all Vols reach their full potential on campus. Kurzweil Expansion The office has expanded the availability of Kurzweil, one of the most popular digital…
Two Student Life Offices Host Inaugural Summit

UT’s Division of Student Life will host 180 campus-based fraternity and sorority life and conduct professionals along with international and national fraternity and sorority life headquarters staff for the first-ever SEC and Friends Summit. All 18 SEC and Friends schools will also be represented among attendees. Organized by the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life…
Student Employment Experience with Basic Needs Leads to New Skills

One of the key components of the Division of Student Life’s strategic plan is to responsibly and creatively steward university resources to maximize the student experience and subsequent student learning. Through the Big Orange Pantry, Student Life stewards space, funds, community partnerships, and resources to help reduce food insecurity among the student body, contributing to…
Lending a Digital Paw

“Hi I’m Smokey, and I’m here to help!” In the corner of each page of the Big Orange Tix website, a cheerful virtual assistant—modeled after Tennessee’s beloved mascot—greets students, ready to assist with inquiries about student ticketing. The virtual assistant, affectionately referred to as Smokey bot, responds to student inquiries 24/7, including nights and weekends…
Student Life Innovation Awards Fund Creative Solutions

Last spring, Student Life launched a new competition to generate innovative ideas; winning proposals received financial support from privately endowed gifts given to support Student Life initiatives. Loosely based on the ABC hit Shark Tank, the Student Life Innovation Awards provided one-time funding for new and creative initiatives, programs, or services that supported the Student…
Grant Creates Student Health Center Improvements

UT’s Student Health Center continues to work to minimize the burden of illness on the student body. During the 2022–2023 academic year, 32% of students, roughly one-third of the student body, were provided healthcare or triage services by staff at the Student Health Center. The center, located in the heart of campus and close to…
Student Life Provides Innovative Solutions for Campus Housing

Housing is not only a basic need but also something in scarce supply nationwide, and students are experiencing this challenge in unique ways. University Housing and other departments are working to alleviate the stresses students experience throughout the housing process. Whether students live on campus in residencehalls or off campus, Student Life support isavailable for…