KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee will host a public meeting for the community to review the draft master plan for the Knoxville and agricultural campuses. The meeting is set for 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at the UT Visitors’ Center.
This community meeting is part of a series of meetings to get feedback on the draft plan. Once finalized, it will be a guide that helps the university pursue its overall goals and make decisions on land usage, placement of buildings and investments in infrastructure.
This new (2011) draft plan is an update to a previous version created in 1994 and updated in 2001.
A key element to moving UT Knoxville from a Top 50 public research university to the ranks of the Top 25 involves having the resources to improve and supplement campus facilities in order to support first-rate academic and research programs, along with student housing and services.
The planning process identified significant needs for academic space on the Knoxville and agricultural campuses. The Knoxville campus has the greatest deficiencies in general classroom, class lab and research space.
Among the goals are to define current and future facility needs, promote a sense of community, integrate instruction, research, student living, and student life, and create a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly environment. Considerations of traffic, parking and related infrastructure are taken into account, along with how to promote sound environmental policies and development and building practices.
After the review and stakeholder meetings, a final report will be submitted to the UT Board of Trustees for their consideration at their June meeting. If approved, the final draft is submitted to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the State Building Commission for approval and finalization.
The UT Visitors’ Center is located at 2712 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, Tenn., 37996. Parking is available at the center.
For more information about the master plan, visit http://www.utk.edu/masterplan/.
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CONTACT:
Karen Simsen, 865-974-5186 or karen.simsen@tennessee.edu