Martin Place deal hits roadblock

The University of Tennessee Foundation's proposed purchase of Martin Place Apartments on West Peach Street to be used for student living is not likely to go as originally planned. In an interview with The Press Wednesday, Ely Fly, president of the foundation, said, "The bank backed out on the agreement."

In February of this year, the office of University Relations at UTM made public a statement saying, "The University of Tennessee Foundation Inc. (UTF) and Place Collegiate Properties LC have agreed in principle to sell Martin Place, a privatized student housing community, to the UTF."

Soon after the announcement was released, the university began a campaign to get students to sign up to live in the apartments. According to the press release, the new facility would become part of UTM's inventory when the ownership was supposed to change hands in March 2003.

Nearly 125 receive diplomas at summer commencement

As superintendent of Shelby County Schools, Dr. Bobby Webb considers the "big picture" as he makes important decisions. He advised UT Martin graduates to do the same in seeking success beyond college.

A 1970 UT Martin graduate with a degree in music education, Webb said he has given many high school graduation speeches during 15 years as a superintendent, so he began with an abbreviated version of the advice he has given many audiences.

"Life is not fair, get used to it. ... People are more important than things. ... " he said, summarizing past commencement addresses. And, he added, "If you don't do anything else in life, love someone and let someone love you."

Webb then turned to his main theme, telling the graduates that commencement is an appropriate time "to step back and take a look at the big picture of your life." He said the most successful people he knows accomplish this by routinely doing three things.

"One, they step back from time to time from their narrow focus of their responsibilities and think about just how all the parts relate and how they interact with each other," Webb said. UT Martin Chancellor Nick Dunagan presided over the ceremony and conferred the degrees. About 125 graduates participated in the commencement and received diplomas..

First phase of wireless project complete

Students on the go will no longer have to wait for computers in the labs, provided they have the right equipment Shannon Burgin, Director of Computer Services announced over the summer that wireless area networking (WAN) was coming to certain public and academic buildings across campus

Until this semester, only the library offered this service, with laptops with wireless cards available for loan, or to bring your own.

The Business Administration Building, the Boling University Center were added to the list over the summer, with plans to include more academic buildings as funding becomes available.

For more information about this project, please contact computer services at 7890.