On April 21 at 1:30 p.m., the Board of Trustees quarterly meeting was held in the East Tennessee Room. The cabinet spoke on the university’s success, recent updates and tuition increase for the Fall 2023 semester.

In term’s of the college’s recent performance, 96% of people who took part in a survey expressed that East Tennessee State University is positively accomplishing the college’s mission to improve life in the region. Similarly, 71% of participators voted that ETSU is overall leading a bright future for scholars and the community, according to a press release from ETSU.

“Our entire campus community is deeply committed to making our communities — and our world — a better place to live,” ETSU President Brian Noland said in the press release. “I do not think it would be an exaggeration to say this is one of the most mission-driven universities in the United States.” 

The best aspects pointed out in the survey about ETSU were the campus environment and atmosphere. With services and organizations catering to everyone on campus, ETSU continues to fulfill its mission of involvement and community.

On tuition, the Board approved an approximate 3% increase in tuition and fee for the fall of 2023. This increase was estimated to be roughly $138 more per semester and was due to a 5% pay raise for employees implanted by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee earlier in the year. The Board also approved promotions and the granting of tenure for 56 faculty members.

“Our faculty are not only absolute experts in their fields of study, they also are incredibly dedicated to teaching and the success of our students,” ETSU Provost and Senior Vice President for Academics Kimberly D. McCorkle said. “As shown in the results from the State of the University survey, students overwhelmingly believe that their faculty care about them and are eager to help.”

The board also selected new officers to the executive community consisting of: Dr. Linda Latimer as a second term as Board Chair; Melissa Steagall-Jones as the third executive committee member; ETSU’s Faculty Senate elected Steph Frye-Clark as the faculty trustee beginning July 1; The ETSU Student Government Association elected and the Board of Trustees confirmed Aamir Shaikh as the student trustee for the 2023-24 academic year.

Additionally, the Board also noted the success of ETSU’s Army ROTC program and the accomplishment of the ‘Marching Bucs’ marching band of being selected to perform in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

For more information, contact Jess Vodden at vodden@etsu.edu.

(Contributed/ETSU Youtube)