Message from the Board of Trustees

The appointment of the president of the UT System is one of the Board of Trustees’ most important decisions, and it is one that we do not take lightly. At our recent Feb. 19 meeting, the Board reviewed the annual performance of Interim President Randy Boyd and began the process to consider removing the interim title.

The recommendation to consider Mr. Boyd as president has been informed by a number of important considerations, including the positive momentum of the University, the strategic initiatives that are underway, and, most notably, the favorable feedback the Board has received from key stakeholders, representing faculty, staff, and student leadership, alumni, legislators, and others. The appointment as president would be for a term of five additional years.

As a next step, the Board has requested that Mr. Boyd participate in a series of town hall meetings across the state to share his vision for leading the University.

Your voice in this process is very important, and we hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to participate by attending one of the town hall meetings. The town hall meetings will give constituents the opportunity to ask questions of Mr. Boyd.

Thank you for your commitment to the University of Tennessee. We look forward to your engagement.

John Compton

John Compton
John Compton
Chair, University of Tennessee Board of Trustees

 

 

About the UT President

 

The president is the chief executive officer of the statewide university system and oversees the operation of its campuses and institutes. The president is appointed by the UT Board of Trustees.

 

 

Process and Timeline

 

Sept. 25, 2018

Randy Boyd was appointed interim president of the University of Tennessee by the UT Board of Trustees.


Nov. 22, 2018

Randy Boyd took office following the retirement of UT President Joe DiPietro.


Feb. 19, 2020

UT Board of Trustees Chairman John Compton proposed creating a process to consider removing the interim title and extend Randy Boyd’s term for an additional five years.

 

Stand-alone Player

 

March 4 – 11, 2020: Town Halls

The town hall meetings held during the following dates were open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community. Each meeting was recorded and the videos are embedded below

 

Wednesday, March 4 – Chattanooga

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET

University Center Auditorium
(615 McCallie Avenue)


Thursday, March 5 – Memphis

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT

Student Alumni Center, OD Larry Dining Hall
(800 Madison Avenue)


Monday, March 9 – Knoxville

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET

Student Union, Pilot Flying J Ballroom B&C
(1502 Cumberland Avenue)


Tuesday, March 10 – Martin

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT

Boling University Center, Phillip Watkins Auditorium
(11 Wayne Fisher Drive)


Wednesday, March 11 – Nashville

1 – 2:30 p.m. CT

UT Polk Avenue Building
(193 Polk Avenue, Room 292)


Friday, March 27 – Special meeting of the UT Board of Trustees

3:30 p.m. EDT

Virtual meeting

At the meeting, the Board of Trustees will consider appointing Interim President Randy Boyd to the position of president up to June 30, 2025. In addition, the Board will be briefed on the University’s actions and plans in response to COVID-19 and will consider related actions, as may be necessary.

Following guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding COVID-19, the March 27 UT Board of Trustees meeting will be held virtually. All board members will participate electronically or by telephone. Interested individuals are encouraged to watch the meeting online. The meeting will be webcast live and archived for later viewing. While the Board’s Standing Rule will apply, accommodations will be granted to allow for remote participation by scheduled speakers.