August 14, 2007

To: UT Knoxville Faculty and Staff
From: Chancellor Loren W. Crabtree
Subject: President Petersen's "Mission of the University" Document


I am writing to you on a matter of great significance to the UT
Knoxville campus.  

On August 9, President John D. Petersen distributed his "Mission of the
University" document to UT Vice Presidents, Chancellors, Vice
Chancellors, Deans, Department Heads and Directors. The document,
attached to this e-mail, outlines the respective responsibilities and
areas of authority for the UT System and the campuses and institutes
within the System. 

This document has direct and substantial implications for the role that
UT Knoxville faculty and administrators will play in leading major
initiatives, and therefore has implications for our institution's
future. The President's document indicates that, among other things, the
System has specific responsibility for ORNL relationships, the Biofuels
initiative, the development of the Cherokee Farms, the UT Research
Foundation, UT Athletics (meaning UT Knoxville athletics), UT Online,
the National Alumni Association and the Development Council, and state
and federal relations. As you well know, these functions directly impact
UT Knoxville operations.  

Each Chancellor has been instructed to return to a meeting on August 27
to indicate how their campus or institute relates to these "managed
organizations," and specifically to propose the role that our
organizations play within this structure. I would like you to read the
President's document and offer me your thoughts on the proposed
governance structure, and how we can continue our efforts to become a
great public research university within this context. Your advice is
critical, since the Mission document is intended to "define and clarify
roles and responsibilities" for the Chancellor and the campus, and I
want to represent the sense of the campus to the President as accurately
and precisely as possible.  

Time is of the essence, since the August 27 meeting is less than two
weeks away. Please study the Mission document carefully and send your
views to me at the following e-mail address: chan-reply@utk.edu. I ask
that you respond by noon on Friday, August 17, if at all possible. The
Provost, Vice Chancellors, and I will pay close attention to the advice
you give us. Thanks in advance for your assistance with this important
matter.