Response to UT Buildings Story

Our story on UT's building program drew the attention of Dr. Patrick Plyler, an Associate Professor in UT's Audiology and Speech Pathology Department.

Our story focused on the number of on-going projects on UTK campus at a time when academic programs are being cut or cutback.

UT Provost Bob Holub explained that the projects have been several years in the making and that the capital budget and operations budget were separate entities.

Capital projects require one-time spending, operations are on-going and return year after year.

Dr. Plyler doesn't disagree, but he pointed out something I had not been aware of -- the 2007 capital outlay priorities listed construction of an Audiology and Speech building number six:

Hi Gene,

I enjoyed your piece on the UT building projects given the proposed budget cuts. I am a professor in Audiology and Speech Pathology. I am the chair of the "new building committee" that resulted in a 500 page program facilites document to be presented in this past legislative session, requesting 20 million dollars for a new building for our department. The capital outlay priority list for this past session published in the KNS listed Audiology & Speech Pathology's new building as 6th on the list, first on the list for the 09-10 session (I have this document but cannot attach it in this email). My question to you and to Bob Holoub is this.
How could the ASP department go from a top priority in December of 07 to 1st on the chopping block and "not central to the mission of UT" in May of 08?

Bob is correct in that funds are appropriated in advance for these projects. As for Neyland Stadium renovations, the funds are privately donated, but our department and the Anthropology Department are housed in South Stadium Hall of Neyland Stadium. Thus, we are "priorities" for being moved so the stadium renovations can procede. Strong Hall is proposed for Anthropology. If that funding falls through, their program will be on the chopping block next, in my opinion.

Patrick Plyler, PhD

Associate Professor, UT Audiology and Speech Pathology Dept.