First Leadership Town Hall Fosters Dialogue Among Campus Community

The Executive Leadership team, from left, Vice Chancellor for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs Cindy Russell, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships Paul Wesolowski, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Raaj Kurapati, and Chancellor Peter Buckley, held the first of a series of town halls last Friday to increase communication among the campus community.

Despite heavy rain, faculty and staff converged in the Schrier Auditorium at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center last Friday morning for the first in a series of town halls with the university's Executive Leadership Team.

The session was designed to give the campus community the opportunity to ask questions and present issues in a very transparent manner to the executive leadership, including Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Raaj Kurapati, Vice Chancellor for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs Cindy Russell, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships Paul Wesolowski, and Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD. The town hall was expertly moderated by Jessi Gold, MD, the chief wellness officer for the UT System.

"The most important asset we have is people," Wesolowski said. "The reason for this (town hall) is to create a venue for conversation, a safe environment."

Questions for the leadership team were submitted in advance. Topics ranged from campus building projects and safety, to the budget, to faculty and staff surveys, to changes at the university. The overriding message from the leadership team was one of openness to discussion and feedback from faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, the leaders focused on everyone's shared role in the university's success in fulfilling its statewide vision and missions.

"The most important asset we have is people."

Paul Wesolowski, vice chancellor for Strategic Partnerships

Asked about the university's finances, Kurapati said thanks to belt-tightening earlier this year, the university ended Fiscal Year 2024 on more secure footing than it would have otherwise.

"We took a lot of actions this year," he said. "Thanks to your good work and everyone tightening their belt to fix our problem, we are on a very strong trajectory to get us to a much better place."

He also said the university is discussing plans for what could be the next major building project, a $350 million College of Medicine building. "This building is critical to our momentum," Chancellor Buckley said, adding that philanthropic investment will be necessary for the building to become a reality

The team was asked about plans for increasing donations to support the university. The leaders encouraged faculty and staff to support the Family Campaign, a monthlong internal giving campaign, as a show of support for the important work of the university and a way to encourage external support. The essence of this campaign is about demonstrating commitment, engagement, and "telling our story to the community," they emphasized.

Historically, Kurapati said, "we have not done our part in celebrating what we bring to the community."

The meeting focused on creating open and respectful communication among the campus community. In a fun exercise in communication, the chancellor encouraged each person in the audience to stand up and tell a colleague, "you are a great employee."

Responding to a question about crime in Memphis, Kurapati said the university is investing $2 million in better fencing around parking lots, in addition to increasing shifts for patrols on campus and adding cameras. "I assure you when you are on campus, you are safe," he said.

The importance of presenting a balanced viewpoint of Memphis was stressed, because the university frequently recruits faculty, staff, and students to the city. The recent encouraging successes in crime reduction under the leadership of Mayor Paul Young, a UT Knoxville graduate, were also highlighted.

"Crime is an issue we cannot ignore, but it should not define us," Chancellor Buckley said. "It is an amazing city, and we have to put it into context."

The chancellor urged every member of the campus community to help tell the university's story. "Be an ambassador so we can magnify the work we do, so our communities can get behind it in a tangible way," he said.

The speakers were asked if the campus is unstable after several recent changes in leadership roles, as well as policies and procedures.

"Change is part of any dynamic organization."

Chancellor Peter Buckley

"Things have changed quite a bit," Dr. Russell said, acknowledging that change can bring about some anxiety. "We're working to institute policies and procedures to make things more transparent and equitable for all," she said.

"Change is part of any dynamic organization," Chancellor Buckley added.

Faculty and staff were encouraged to voice their thoughts and opinions through proper channels, including surveys, Human Resources, Access and Compliance, and talking with supervisors, rather than bypassing established processes by sending leaders anonymous letters of complaint.

"Let's grow together, and let's be able to look each other in the eyes, and when we have a problem, talk about the problem and not finger point, and get the job done," Chancellor Buckley said.

"You do need to know we take comments seriously," he added. "Today is an expression of our efforts at communication."

Towns halls will be held through mid-October in each college on the Memphis campus. Additional town halls will be scheduled in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. All events will be held in person. View the schedule here.

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