Plan steers $20 million to UTK

The University of Tennessee's policy change for donors who would like to qualify for season tickets for athletic events might change how those donors contribute to specific academic programs, but the flagship campus will benefit from an additional $20 million in academic support over the next decade as a result.

To ensure academic funding doesn't suffer, the athletic department is pledging an additional $2.875 million per year, on average, in "direct cash support" to the UT system - in addition to the $1.375 million for nonathletic scholarships and $1.125 million for parking garage debt service already given. That's more than $50 million over the next 10 years.

According to figures released by UT last week, the Knoxville campus will receive an additional $2 million per year, on average, over the next decade. In 2009-10 alone, the flagship campus will receive approximately $4 million in scholarships, parking garage debt and new campus funding.

Beginning in 2010, donors who would like to be considered for season tickets and parking passes will need to contribute to the new Tennessee Fund, which will be overseen by the athletic department. Gifts may be made to academics through the fund, but donors won't be able to designate those donations toward specific academic programs. Campus leadership will allocate academic donations.

UT Knoxville Faculty Senate President Toby Boulet said he thinks faculty "should be concerned that academic programs receive the full benefit of donations intended for them."

However, Boulet said the development office has assured him that the staff will work with the Faculty Senate to "ensure complete transparency" with donations. The Faculty Senate also will monitor the amount of donations intended for academic programs that go to the Tennessee Fund.

"I expect that gifts from UT athletics to academics will be significantly in excess of that amount," Boulet said in an e-mail. "I also hope that the total amount donated to academics, from individuals and athletics combined, will increase significantly in each of the next several years, particularly since academic programs are central to our mission."

Donors to academic programs who have achieved "lifetime status" for season tickets will have that status honored and will not be required to make additional gifts to maintain tickets, according to the university. Others will be required to donate to the Tennessee Fund in order to maintain the ability to purchase season tickets.

Charles Owen, a 1986 UT graduate, said he was "surprised" when he first heard about the policy change. After calling the development office, however, he learned that since he is a longtime donor, the university will honor his season ticket agreement.

Owen has donated annually to UT Extension, the outreach unit of UT's Institute of Agriculture, for the past 20 years. He said he started out with $250 donations every year, but after he learned he would be eligible for season tickets if he doubled his donation, he increased it to $500.

"My primary goal was to donate to my program - that's the point of my giving," said Owen, a Madisonville resident. "The tickets were just an added perk. If I had to give up the tickets, I can still give where I want, but I just may not be able to go to the games."

Owen said "no system will make everyone happy" when it comes to athletic tickets.

"Sports draw the attention to the University of Tennessee and this is a benefit to the academics," Owen said. "However, without academics and the other programs that are run by UT, there is no university."

UT said each donor situation is unique, so donors with questions about the Tennessee Fund should call the Tennessee Fund office at 865-974-1218.

Chloe White may be reached at 865-342-6341.