Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor David Gregory issued the following statement Tuesday regarding Governor Haslam’s Tennessee Reconnect and budget proposals:
“The Tennessee Promise has changed the way people – especially first-generation students – think about college. Instead of asking, can I go to college, the conversation at the dinner table is now, where will I go to college. I think this new conversation about Tennessee Reconnect will mean that adults who haven’t thought that college was for them will begin to think about college in an entirely new way. That’s tremendously important to them, their families and to the state as a whole. And with all the student-success initiatives we have in place at Board of Regents campuses, we’re ready and able to help them be successful.
“We are also grateful that Governor Haslam’s budget proposal helps with another key element for achieving the Drive to 55: campuses physically ready to handle enrollment growth. The governor recommended approval of TBR’s capital projects requests: 11 new building and major renovation projects on our campuses. They include a badly needed third classroom building at Motlow State Community College’s rapidly growing Rutherford County campus, a new multi-purpose building at Pellissippi State Community College, a new music facility at the University of Memphis and new satellite campuses for the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville in Anderson County and for TCAT-Memphis in east Shelby County.”
In addition, incoming TBR Chancellor Flora Tydings, who officially assumes her new duties on Wednesday, said the expanded Tennessee Reconnect program “will be transformative for Tennessee.” Dr. Tydings has spent her higher education career leading community and technical colleges and has worked to make them more accessible for all students, including working adults.
Dr. Tydings and Chancellor Gregory were guests on the House floor – along with THEC Executive Director Mike Krause and University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro – Monday night when Governor Haslam delivered his State of the State address. The governor unveiled his expanded Tennessee Reconnect program proposal and his recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2017-18 during the address.