The UTM Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists hosted a “Campus and Community” panel forum Monday that included Martin Mayor Randy Brundige, UTM Chancellor Nick Dunagan. The four-member panel was moderated by SPJ Advisor Tomi McCutchen-Parrish and featured discussion of the state budget crisis and the relationship between the University and the city of Martin.

Chancellor Dunagan began the forum by speaking to what was the most looming issue for the panel- the budget and costs of increasing tuition. Dunagan shared statistics that tuition at UTM had risen 15% three years ago, rose another 7 ½% last year, and rose another 9% once again this year.

“The reason for this is reductions in state appropriations to higher education,” Dunagan noted. “UTM has received $4.5 million dollars less that we would have other wise. The state budget is at fault.” The Chancellor went on to support the leadership of Governor Phil Bredesen: “Bredesen has approached the budget as responsibly as possible.”

Chancellor Dunagan also informed the audience that UTM faced $2.5 million dollars cut from the 2003-2004 fiscal budget while having to allocate $800,000 in fixed costs that include campus maintenance and accreditation fees. Dunagan spoke directly to the matter of rising tuition. “What is being done to balance the budget is on the backs of the students.”

Even as Dunagan reported a solemn statistic- “42 other states are also experiencing the budget crunch. Arizona had to raise tuition costs by 25% this year,” there was a ray of hope for current freshman and high school seniors. The HOPE Scholarship based on monies accrued from the state lottery will be available for current freshmen who hold a 2.75 GPA.

Even as the prospect of a greater number of Tennesseans enrolling in higher education institutions seems wonderful, it presents another challenge to the University.

“As the state increases the ease of access to higher education, the state continues to cut appropriations, thereby increasing our difficulty,” Dunagan said.

Panel member Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Katie High noted that UTM has hired someone in financial aid that will be solely responsible for ensuring the GPA concerns that come along with the HOPE Scholarship program, as it bases student awards on a 5 point scale. UTM is currently on a 4 point GPA scale.

“Remember those high school guidance counselors; they’re going to be completing three different transcripts for the lottery scholarships. Lord help ‘em,” commented High.

Martin Mayor Randy Brundige answered panel questions about the city of Martin and current attempts to entice industry to the West TN area. “The opening of the Bypass [Skyhawk Parkway] will help to retain tax dollars through private investment capital. We are looking into bringing in industry, particularly service jobs, such as call centers, and distribution centers. We’re not looking at bringing in more ‘smokestack’ industry,” said Brundige.

The Mayor also spoke to the efficacy of inter-departmental relations between the City of Martin police and UTM Safety and Security. “I am very proud of the working relationship that we have with the University. It wasn’t always that way, and we’ve had to work to get it to the point it is now.”

Chancellor Dunagan spoke to another panel question that involved the perception of the construction of the Bob Carroll football building, which was completed in the spring with over $2 million dollars in private contributions.

“I think the building was good. Will football ever make the University money? No. Out of hundreds of collegiate football programs, there are only 60 in the country that will make their money back this year, and only another handful that will make their universities any money,’ said Dunagan.

Dunagan also spoke to the issue of former UT president John Shumaker, and an attempt by the University of Tennessee system to implement a public-relations campaign to restore trust in the University. “I believe that it is absolutely necessary that confidence in the UT system be restored.”

At this point, panel member Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Tom Rakes commented on Dunagan and the bad press from Shumaker. “All of Chancellor Dunagan’s spending is clean. We need some way to let people know, this wasn’t happening here.”

Vice Chancellor Katie High highlighted some of the events taking place in the near future. A task force on student retention will be taking a trip to Appalachian State University, which has a near 95% retention rate, to examine their programs. In the near-future there will be a major campus shift in office space to Alumni Gym which is slated to take place Dec. 20th. She also noted that although there is not great deal of crime at UTM, and the campus is relatively safe, nearly all the incidents on campus were affected by the use of alcohol.

High also spoke the facts of the deal between Martin Place builder Cecil Phillips and the University’s attempts to purchase the apartment complex. Martin Place was built with to be 25-year housing, constructed from wood frames, rather than cinder blocks and iron, as in the case of Y-dorms.

The University originally wanted to purchase Martin Place as a residence for students while the dorms were rebuilt into apartment-style housing. When ex-President Shumaker’s fiscal decadence was highlighted in the media, the UT-Foundation had put in a request to borrow the money. The interest rate immediately skyrocketed at the news of Shumaker’s incongruity, and the deal was washed.

On Wednesday, November 19, the University put in a proposal to have the Martin Place property appraised with intentions of purchasing. High said that the property will most likely be appraised around $11-12 million dollars.

There were questions from the audience as to the policies that the University will implement if Martin Place is bought. “What is the policy in University Courts and Grove Apartments? They’re on campus. They follow our policy. We’re not going to re-write all of our policies just for one property. If you don’t act stupid, we won’t treat you like you are.”