Fracking
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves sending pressurize water, sand and other chemicals tens of thousands of feet below ground to release oil and gas that is otherwise unreachable. Fracking has caused a domestic oil boom and natural gas production, but not without cost. Companies participating in fracking are under fire for the chemicals used in the process, and improper disposal of contaminated water. Fracking has also been connected to an increase in earthquakes in states such as Oklahoma. Last summer, a failed proposal was made for UT to lease its land in the Cumberland Forest for fracking research in exchange for revenue and discounted prices on natural gas for the university.
Fragile 15
Every year, Knox Heritage compiles a list of the 15 most endangered historic building in Knox County. Knox Heritage aims to help preserve the buildings on the “Fragile 15” list through restoration and sustainability. This years’ list included sites such as the Fort Sanders neighborhood and The University of Tennessee. See pages 4-5 in section B for a complete list.
Meal Plans
With new dining halls and upgraded facilities planned for the next five years, students will be required to purchase $300 dining dollars a semester beginning in the fall of 2015. At the end of the semester, the dining dollars will roll to students’ all star accounts, at which point they may request a refund or use at participating all star locations. As a part of this plan, UT is working with restaurants on the strip to begin accepting money from students’ all star accounts. Dining dollars will remain specific to Aramark facilities only.
Meet “Donnie Knoxville”
After leading the Tennessee Volunteer’s basketball team to a 24-13 season and a Sweet Sixteen run during the NCAA’s March Madness, Cuonzo Martin left the Vols to be the head coach at the Univeristy of California on April 16. A week later on April 23, Southern Mississippi’s Donnie Tyndall was announced as the new men’s basketball coach. Nicknamed “Donnie Knoxville,” Tyndall scrambled to assemble the 2014-15 recruiting class and build trust with the current squad.
“Opt-in” Student Fees
After UT’s Sex Week made waves in the Tennessee legislature, the UT administration added a “opt-in” feature. Students still have to pay the $20 student activities fee but will be able to choose to “opt-in” to student programming. Students who choose not to “opt-in” will have to pay standard admissions prices to campus activities such as the Clarence Brown Theatre plays and Central Programming Council events as opposed to the student price–which is sometimes free.
Quarterback Battle
After three consecutive seasons finishing 5-7, the Vols are looking for a leader on the offensive line. This year’s contenders for the signal caller position are last year’s starter senior Justin Worley, and sophomores Joshua Dobbs and Nathan Peterman. After the third fall camp practice, there was still no standout leader and UT offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian said he was looking for much more consistency from the quarterbacks.
