Media Relations

The Division of Communications and Marketing is the primary point of contact for all media requests concerning the UT System.

Public Records Requests

Whether you have a general question or are seeking specific information about the UT System, our team can help by directing your inquiry to the appropriate person or unit for a timely response.

Media Contacts

If you are contacted by a journalist or media outlet, please direct all media inquiries through one of our primary contacts listed below.

Melissa Tindell

Assistant Vice President, Communications
Email: mtindell@tennessee.edu
Phone: 865-974-0741

Robert Reburn

Assistant Director of Communications
Email: rreburn@tennessee.edu
Phone: 865-974-4211

Campus and Institute Media Resources

Find the newsrooms and media resources for each UT campus and institute.

Latest News and Updates

Guidelines on Referring to the University

This writing style guide is a resource for preparing written material for distribution to or publication by the news media on behalf of UT System Administration. It is intended to ensure consistent and correct usage of titles and acronyms in reference to UT campuses, institutes, offices, facilities and their leaders.

Generally, this guide follows Associated Press style, particularly for spelling, capitalization, abbreviations and the like. Additional guidelines have been prepared for university references not specifically addressed in AP style.

The University of Tennessee System

Refers to the collective University of Tennessee System that is comprised of campuses and institutes across the state of Tennessee, led by the UT System president and governed by the UT Board of Trustees. 

Use full name on first reference. Always include the as part of the name. In running text (as opposed to headlines and other display text) the should be lowercase unless it begins a sentence. 

On second and subsequent reference: UT System (capitalized as shown). Never UTS. The UT System may be referred to as “the university” on second or subsequent mention and, if so, university must be lowercase. 

EXCEPTION:

The University of Tennessee is still the organization’s legal name, and as such will often be used without the “System” on legal documents or board of trustees-related documents. 

The University of Tennessee System Administration

The administrative body of the University of Tennessee System, including the offices that report to the UT System president. These offices provide administrative services for the campuses and institutes within and the UT System overall. 

Use full name on first reference. Always include the as part of the name. In running text (as opposed to headlines and other display text) the should be lowercase unless it begins a sentence. 

On second and subsequent reference: UT System Administration (capitalized as shown) or UTSA. 

Order for Listing all UT Campuses and Institutes

Campuses should be grouped and listed from east to west followed by the two institutes, which should be alphabetized. For example: 

“The University of Tennessee System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski and Martin; the Health Science Center at Memphis; and the statewide Institute of Agriculture and Institute for Public Service.” 

Referring to the UT Space Institute, Part of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Communications about the UT Space Institute in Tullahoma should indicate it is part of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Examples include: 

The UT Space Institute in Tullahoma, part of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 

The UT Space Institute in Tullahoma, a satellite campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, including the UT Space Institute in Tullahoma. UTSI is part of the Tickle College of Engineering. 

Campuses, Institutes and Entities

  • University of Tennessee, Knoxville
    UT Knoxville or UTK
  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
    UT Chattanooga or UTC
  • University of Tennessee Southern
    UT Southern or UTS
  • University of Tennessee at Martin
    UT Martin or UTM
  • University of Tennessee Health Science Center
    UT Health Science Center or UTHSC
  • University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
    UT Institute of Agriculture or UTIA
  • University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service
    UT Institute for Public Service or IPS
  • The UT Space Institute in Tullahoma, part of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
    UT Space Institute or UTSI
  • University of Tennessee Alumni Association
    UT Alumni Association or UTAA
  • University of Tennessee Foundation
    UT Foundation or UTFI
  • University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    UT Research Foundation or UTRF
  • University of Tennessee Research Park at Cherokee Farm
    UT Research Park or UTRP