Martin, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee has received more than 200 acres of gift property in Hamilton and Knox counties.
The UT Board of Trustees, meeting Thursday at UT-Martin, voted to accept a 200-acre tract in Hamilton County from the U.S. Department of Education. It will be used by UT-Chattanooga for environmental and ecological studies. The property is the former Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant.
A gift of seven acres from Knox County bordering UT’s Dairy Farm will be used for a men’s and women’s intercollegiate golf facility.
In exchange for the property, UT will grant easements on university property for expansion of the county’s greenway network, Philip Scheurer, vice president for operations, said.
The trustees approved for UT-Martin a new center of excellence in experiential learning in agricultural sciences. It is the only such center in the state and will focus on agricultural studies, research and economic development.
The board approved a $300,000 upgrade of locker rooms at Neyland Stadium. The project, which also must be approved by the state Building Commission, would be paid for by gifts to the Athletic Department.
The Presidential Search Advisory Council met Wednesday and was told by search consultant Gary Daugherty of Baker-Parker that it could expect approximately 40 candidates to consider for UT’s next president.
Daugherty said he is talking with a number of individuals about becoming candidates and that he expects several to come in just before the April 3 deadline. Currently, there are 24 declared candidates.
The council will begin reviewing applications April 5. The board is expected to name a new president April 21, and the target date for the successful candidate to be on the job is July 1.
The board voted to reinstate the position of system-wide vice president for academic affairs and appointed Dr. Robert Levy to the post on an interim basis.