PULASKI, Tenn. — During its annual meeting June 29–30 on the University of Tennessee Southern campus, the UT Board of Trustees approved a framework supporting the development of reduced-credit undergraduate degrees, positioning the UT System as an early leader in creating innovative academic pathways aligned with workforce needs.
The new degree model would allow UT System institutions to develop undergraduate degree programs requiring fewer than the traditional 120 credit hours while maintaining academic rigor and quality standards established by the university and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and meeting all applicable requirements of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). Individual degree programs would require future board approval before implementation.
With the board’s action, UT is positioned to become an early adopter of the reduced-credit undergraduate degree framework, creating credentials designed to reduce costs for students and families, improve student outcomes and prepare graduates for high-demand workforce fields.
“A reduced-credit undergraduate degree option is about giving students and employers more choice,” UT System President Randy Boyd said. “It’s about giving students a quicker path to a great job with less debt. It’s about filling critical workforce shortages faster.”
UT Board of Trustees Chairman John Compton said the board’s action reflects the university’s commitment to innovation.
“The University of Tennessee has built tremendous momentum by embracing bold ideas that strengthen outcomes for students and the state,” Compton said. “This framework creates opportunities to reach students who may not be seeking a traditional four-year degree while expanding access to a high-quality UT education. As workforce needs continue to evolve, the university should pursue new approaches that serve students, employers and the state.”
Speaking during the meeting, Stephen L. Pruitt, president of SACSCOC, said the framework reflects a growing national conversation about meeting high-demand workforce needs while maintaining academic quality. Steven Gentile, executive director of THEC, also spoke during the meeting and said the commission supports continued innovation that helps students complete degrees more efficiently and enter the workforce sooner.
The board also approved the fiscal year 2026–27 operating budget, which includes carefully measured tuition and mandatory fee adjustments for the academic year. The changes vary by campus, ranging from 1.1% to 3.0%, and remain below the maximum 4.5% increase established by THEC. The additional revenue will support enrollment growth, academic program expansion, student scholarships and retention efforts, campus infrastructure, and rising operational costs.
During the meeting, campus chancellors and Boyd participated in a panel discussion about student success across the UT System. They highlighted efforts to grow enrollment, improve retention and graduation rates, support adult learners, and help more students earn a degree.
Trustees also approved board leadership appointments. Compton was re-elected to serve as chair through June 30, 2028. Trustees also elected Bill Rhodes to continue serving as chair of the Finance and Administration Committee, Lang Wiseman as chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee and Shanea McKinney as chair of the Education, Research and Service Committee. Trustees recognized the service of Jamie Woodson and Decosta Jenkins, both of whom have served in leadership roles as committee chairs since 2022, as they conclude their board terms. Trustees also thanked outgoing Faculty Trustee Ken Vickers and Student Trustee Ashlee Mallon for their service. Trustees welcomed to the board Misty Mayes, founder and CEO of Management Solutions LLC and a UT Knoxville alumna, who was appointed by Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton. Her term will run July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2032.
The board honored Herbert “Herb” Byrd III with a resolution recognizing his 40 years of service to the university and the state of Tennessee. Trustees also approved the appointment of Carey Whitworth as senior vice president of the newly aligned Division of Government Relations, Economic Development and Public Service, effective July 1. The new division is effective Oct. 1.
“Herb Byrd’s four decades of service have strengthened communities across Tennessee and reflect the very best of UT,” Boyd said. “We thank Herb for his tremendous leadership and all he has done to serve our state. As Carey builds on that legacy, this new division will help us bring together the university’s expertise, partnerships and resources to better support communities, businesses and government across Tennessee.”
The board also approved naming the new University of Tennessee at Martin College of Business facility the Bill and Amy Rhodes Business Building, to be commonly known as Rhodes Hall, in recognition of the couple’s long-standing support of the university.
In other business, trustees:
- Approved a reorganization of UT Southern’s academic structure, moving from six schools to two colleges made up of six academic departments and the Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development.
- Approved a strategic reorganization of UT Martin’s College of Business and Global Affairs, creating a new School of Business and renaming the college as the College of Business.
- Approved new academic programs at UT Knoxville, including a Bachelor of Arts in Civic and Constitutional Thought and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design;
- Approved capital outlay and maintenance funding requests for fiscal year 2027–28 through fiscal year 2031–32;
- Completed the annual performance review of UT System President Randy Boyd, noting strong performance and continued progress on strategic priorities.
- Approved a one-year extension of the master affiliation agreement between the UT Health Science Center and Regional One Health to allow continued collaboration; and
- Approved settlements in two pending litigation matters involving UT Knoxville and the UT Health Science Center, subject to final approval by the appropriate state authorities.
- Approved revisions to the board’s faculty tenure policy to comply with a new state law establishing a separate disciplinary process for faculty misconduct while preserving due process protections.
Archived video of the committee and board meetings can be viewed here. View and download photos from the June 29–30 meetings here.
