There are nearly $50 million in changes planned for UTM’s campus over the next few years.

Six projects will span October 2006-10. The first of these projects is already underway. Phase II of the housing project is in its final stage of demolition and construction on the new University Apartments is planned to start in January.

The long range goal with housing is to update all of the dorms.

“When Phase II of housing is complete we will step back and take a look at the rental structures, Browning, Ellington, and Cooper will be kept so rent will stay within student pricing,” said Al Hooten, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. “Over the next 10 or 15 years something will have to be done to maintain the 40-year-old dorms.”

The next noticeable change on campus will be the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning upgrade in the Business Administration Building. It is currently in the design phase and plans are being arranged to move the faculty to Clement Hall. This renovation will call for the entire building to close.

At the conclusion of the spring semester 2007 the faculty will be moved and contractors will begin work immediately. The new Business Administration Building is planned to open in summer 2008.

Fine Arts Building is also in the design phase and closing of the entire building will take place after the Business Administration Building opens up. Fine Arts Building construction will include the addition of space for a small auditorium and classrooms, a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning upgrade and modernization of the entire building.

Other upcoming projects include a two-story classroom and office addition in the current courtyard of Brehm Hall, the communications tower replacement and a former feed mill facility will be renovated for a diagnostic lab.

The money for these projects is funded by the state of Tennessee. Phase II of housing will be paid for by the rent it generates. UTM competes with all higher education facilities in Tennessee for this money.

When given the funds Al Hooten and others are responsible for maintaining the buildings on campus.

Each year, after a survey of each building and complaints are taken into consideration, plans are revised as to what renovations need to take place.

There is also a facility fee committee that uses money from the facility fee toward constant campus upgrades.

There are still more renovations and projects that are planned to take place several more years down the road. There needs to be an addition to EPS and additional classroom building, said Hooten.
UTM Chancellor Nick Dunagan expressed his optimism for the upcoming renovations.

“While I am very pleased and proud of the new construction and renovation that is being carried out on campus, I am equally proud of what goes on within the walls of UT Martin. We are keeping our facilities in top shape, and we also are ensuring that the instruction and service that is conducted inside these facilities is first class for our students.”