Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek said today the campus will not be using state tax or tuition dollars to fund Sex Week.
Cheek said that after reviewing the final agenda for the student-programmed event he determined that it should not be funded by state tax dollars.
The university has long recognized the right of students to engage in free speech activities on campus and organize programs for the student body using student activity fee monies. Student-run programming boards consider applications for programs and allocate student activity fee monies to those that encourage broad student participation and interest and contribute to the students’ intellectual development.
“We support the process and the students involved, but we should not use state funds in this manner,” Cheek said.
The organization will retain $6,700 in student programming dollars but $11,145 from academic programs and departments will no longer be available.
UT System President Joe DiPietro said he supports the decision.
“The University is accountable to the General Assembly, the governor and the people of Tennessee for the use of state tax dollars,” DiPietro said. “The University’s three-part mission is to provide education, research and public service, and the state allocates this funding to help us fulfill the mission. Some activities planned as part of Sex Week are not an appropriate use of state tax dollars.”
The UT System is studying and evaluating the funding and planning of student activities at all UT campuses and institutes.
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C O N T A C T :
Karen Simsen (865-974-5186, karen.simsen@tennessee.edu)