UTC NEWS RELEASE Wednesday, April 29, 1998 CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. UTC Faculty and Staff Surveyed State Funding, Salaries Listed as Chief Concerns A survey of faculty and staff members at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga shows that while those groups feel that an emphasis on teaching, reasonable tuition, and the University of Chattanooga Foundation are major strengths for the university, there is widespread concern about state funding, salary levels, and technology needs. Those were among the results of surveys of faculty and staff conducted during the winter by the university's Office of Institutional Research and Planning, under the direction of Dr. Richard Gruetzemacher. All faculty, exempt (salaried) staff, and non-exempt (hourly) staff were asked to complete surveys about UTC's strengths, obstacles, and priorities. Nearly 500 individuals completed and returned the anonymous surveys. Among 36 suggested priorities, all three employee groups placed six items among the top quarter of ranked items, and said that UTC should work to retain excellent faculty and staff, improve salaries and benefits, maintain teaching excellence, treat students with respect, work toward continuous improvement of programs and services, and invest in technology. Faculty added the need for visionary leadership, the improvement of physical facilities, and better library resources to their list of top priorities. All three groups ranked inadequate state funding and low salaries as major obstacles confronting the university. "This is important information for us as we plan our future," said Chancellor Bill Stacy. "In my first months here, I've been asking, 'Who are we?' We need to begin moving toward the more ambitious question, 'Who do we want to be.' " Chancellor Stacy presented the information to the campus and the public in a forum on campus Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Fletcher Hall. At that time he will also present results of surveys of the community and UTC's currently enrolled students. Survey ### Chuck Cantrell University Relations 425-4363

Last updated: April 30, 1998.
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