Budget Message
July 6, 2020
Faculty, Staff, and Students,
The state legislature recently concluded its emergency session and approved a modified
budget for the coming year for the State of Tennessee. The substantial decrease in
state revenues driven by the COVID-19 pandemic forced further state budget reductions.
However, the Governor and the Legislature largely spared higher education and the
University of Tennessee from any additional budget reductions. This is dramatically
better for higher education in Tennessee than what is occurring in many of our surrounding
states. We are very grateful for these actions.
Key components affecting UTHSC
- Faculty and staff:
- No mandatory salary reductions
- No mandatory furloughs
- No mandatory layoffs
- There will, however, not be any annual state salary increases
- Deferred:
- Previously approved capital maintenance projects
- UTHSC operational funds
- GME expansion
- Approved:
- Long-planned acquisition of the Tri Metis Vivarium
While the budget is not what we desired, it reflects a realistic approach by our leaders
in providing for a fiscally responsible state budget. This budget allows UTHSC to
carry on our education, research, and keep our clinical mission intact. Inherent in
this budget is our UTHSC requirement to scrutinize every expenditure and to trim any
excess. Each college and unit will be doing budget reviews, looking at each of our
programs to get as efficient as possible.
I want to point out that we are doing this without increasing the tuition burden on
our students and their families.
Because of prudent financial planning, UTHSC is in a very solid financial position.
I am grateful to UT President Boyd, Governor Lee, THEC, and the Tennessee Legislature
for these prudent actions.
I want to thank each of you for what you do every day to make UTHSC the remarkable
place it is.
Steve J. Schwab, MD
Chancellor