2008 Woodie Awards
University proceeds step closer to doctoral program
Mary-Allice Holley
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The merger agreement committee and Lyn Miles, UC Foundation professor of sociology and anthropology, presented Gavin Townsend, faculty senate president, with a check for $25,000 given by an anonymous donor, Sept. 20.
Townsend said he believes the check was donated "to support the efforts of UTC to grasp something of the promise of the 1969 merger agreement."
This agreement lists the terms and conditions of UTC merging with the UT System.
The contract included expanding UTC to promote growth toward a major institution, which would bring more funding and credibility to the university, Townsend said.
The university is currently a masters institution with only one doctoral program in computer engineering and two professional doctoral programs in physical therapy and education, according to Townsend.
Seven more programs are required for UTC to become a doctoral research university (DRU) at the lowest level, Townsend said.
Other universities in Tennessee have already reached DRU status including MTSU, UT Knoxville, UT Martin and University of Memphis.
Miles said she wants the UT system to do more to honor their agreement to UTC.
Miles said she feels the UT system could honor their agreement by increasing teacher and university funding.
According to Miles, raising funding has the possibility of bringing more students into the university as well as residents into Chattanooga.
"It could promote recognition of Chattanooga as a major city," she said.
The university receives 78 percent funding compared to Knoxville's 93 percent, she said.
Miles said she believes this could help department growth, add to the appeal of our university for research faculty and expand internship programs.
"We aren't the step-child to Knoxville," she said. "We want major status."
According to Miles, the check presented to Townsend is a step in the right direction toward obtaining these goals.
"According to the contract, it is our birthright," Miles said.
Thais Coleman, a Nashville junior, said she is excited about the possibility of a doctoral program at the university.
"I think it will give the school a name, make people take more interest in UTC and bring more people to the university," Coleman said.
Townsend said he believes the check was donated "to support the efforts of UTC to grasp something of the promise of the 1969 merger agreement."
This agreement lists the terms and conditions of UTC merging with the UT System.
The contract included expanding UTC to promote growth toward a major institution, which would bring more funding and credibility to the university, Townsend said.
The university is currently a masters institution with only one doctoral program in computer engineering and two professional doctoral programs in physical therapy and education, according to Townsend.
Seven more programs are required for UTC to become a doctoral research university (DRU) at the lowest level, Townsend said.
Other universities in Tennessee have already reached DRU status including MTSU, UT Knoxville, UT Martin and University of Memphis.
Miles said she wants the UT system to do more to honor their agreement to UTC.
Miles said she feels the UT system could honor their agreement by increasing teacher and university funding.
According to Miles, raising funding has the possibility of bringing more students into the university as well as residents into Chattanooga.
"It could promote recognition of Chattanooga as a major city," she said.
The university receives 78 percent funding compared to Knoxville's 93 percent, she said.
Miles said she believes this could help department growth, add to the appeal of our university for research faculty and expand internship programs.
"We aren't the step-child to Knoxville," she said. "We want major status."
According to Miles, the check presented to Townsend is a step in the right direction toward obtaining these goals.
"According to the contract, it is our birthright," Miles said.
Thais Coleman, a Nashville junior, said she is excited about the possibility of a doctoral program at the university.
"I think it will give the school a name, make people take more interest in UTC and bring more people to the university," Coleman said.
