KNOXVILLE — University of Tennessee officials announced Wednesday that First Summer Term courses would end early because of uncertainty about the state budget.
UT Provost Loren Crabtree asked faculty to conclude courses by Friday, June 28. The term had been scheduled to run from May 30 to July 3.
Crabtree said the early closure ensures that students receive credit for their courses should the General Assembly fail to pass a state budget, forcing UT to shutdown July 1.
“It is with great reluctance that I announce this change in the academic calendar on such short notice,” Crabtree said. “However, these measures are called for to assist students in concluding their coursework and receiving academic credit for the courses in which they are enrolled.”
UT Vice Provost Ann Mayhew said a UT shutdown from failure to pass a state budget would prevent students from taking final exams July 1-3 as originally scheduled.
The early end to summer classes will not harm students’ academic standing, Mayhew said. Students who plan to graduate this summer will do so on schedule, she said.
Mayhew said students would receive credit for courses in which they have made satisfactory progress through June 28. Take-home exams, postponed exams and other methods would be used to ensure students’ instructional needs and course requirements, she said.
“We are ending the session early because of the confusion that would result should it be announced over the weekend that we will have to close next week,” Mayhew said.
“Ending the first summer term Friday, June 28, will not disadvantage any student. No students academic standing will be affected by the early conclusion of classes.”
Mayhew said the UT Provost, registrar, faculty and academic advisors would work together to answer questions, help students meet academic requirements, and ensure students that they will not lose class credit because of the early conclusion of summer courses.
If a new state budget is approved on time, the university will second term summer courses on July 5 as scheduled. Mayhew said.
“We do not anticipate being closed for long,” Mayhew said. “Should a university shutdown be longer than we expect, students, staff and faculty will receive additional information as soon as possible.