Colleagues,
I want to take a moment to make clear our position regarding access and engagement at the University of Tennessee System and all its campuses, especially in light of recent questions and public commentary.
The purpose of access and engagement is to support academic access, foster community partnerships and promote merit-based student success. These efforts are directly aligned with our System’s Statement of Aspirations, which commits us to removing barriers to educational opportunity and ensuring every Tennessean has the chance to succeed.
Let me be clear: access and engagement is not DEI in disguise. All our work must and will remain fully compliant with state and federal law.
In 2023 I directed all of our chancellors to make necessary changes in their organizational structures and strategies. The goal was – and still is – to better reflect a mission rooted in expanding educational opportunity, rewarding excellence and merit across our system, and promoting service and community connection for all students. That directive set campus efforts on a new path embodying our land-grant mission.
To bolster our compliance efforts, I have launched an independent review of our access and engagement activities across the UT System. This review will be prioritized to ensure our ongoing compliance with federal and state laws, as well as adherence to my charge.
As an additional measure, we are instituting mandatory training for all employees across the system to ensure that everyone knows the laws and regulations applicable in this space.
The University of Tennessee System has always complied with both the letter and the spirit of the law. We will continue to do so. Thank you for all you do to advance our mission and serve the people of Tennessee.
Sincerely,
