UT chancellor candidate Jimmy G. Cheek spoke to students, teachers and faculty in a forum Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Hodges Library.

Cheek is vice president for agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida and the last of five candidates to participate in forums designed to help select UT's next chancellor.

A graduate from Texas A&M, Cheek is a strong supporter of land-grant institutions, especially at the undergraduate level.

"At the very core of the land-grant university is the undergraduate program," he said.

He would like to make international education and opportunities more available to undergraduate students.

He said that he is always seeking input from faculty and anyone in general that may be affected by decisions that have to be made.

"I believe in the importance of shared governance with faculty," he said.

We've got to have resources if we're going to provide the education that a student expects when they come to a place like the University of Tennessee.
Jimmy G. Cheek, candidate for UT chancellorship

Walking around the University of Tennessee, one might imagine it was put together like a patchwork quilt, the buildings and sidewalks a motley mix of new and old designs and materials.

Coming from Florida, which has similar problems, Cheek said, "I think it's a characteristic of public universities, and it's unfortunate."

He went on to explain how he successfully pushed for funding all the way to the state Senate to help combat these problems.

On the subject of the Tennessee Valley Authority's rate increases, Cheek said, "This appears to be a fact of life for the foreseeable future."

He suggested the University survey its buildings to find the most effective energy savings possible and prioritize them.

On the topic of growing resources despite decreasing state funding, Cheek said, "We've got to have resources if we're going to provide the education that a student expects when they come to a place like the University of Tennessee."

He supports increasing or differentiating tuition, pricing campus facilities and housing more aggressively, and charging full tuition for online programs.

Cheek also supports financial aid for students in need and Florida's first generation policy, which offers first-generation college students free tuition for college.

Cheek believes one of his biggest challenges if he became UT's chancellor would be trying to understand UT.

"This is a big place," he said. "It is an outstanding university, it continues to improve, and it aspires to be even better."