By HAYLEY HARMON
6 News Anchor/Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - University of Tennessee's Board of Trustees held its annual fall meeting Friday afternoon to discuss the progress the university has made over the last several years.
The meeting focused on three main points.
The first was updating the 26-member board about the president's strategic plan for the future of UT over the next five years. Gov. Bill Haslam also attended as an ex-officio board member.
President Joe DiPietro discussed "dashboard", which tracks the progress UT is making in each goal of the plan, like enhancing educational experience, research and outreach.
The school has made improvements in many of those areas.
Chancellor Jimmy Cheek also addressed the board to update them on the school's pursuit of becoming a Top 25 public university according to U.S. News and World Report.
UT has moved up six ranking spots over the last two years, currently sitting at #46 in the country.
Cheek said the move was a result of improvements to undergraduate programs, attracting more graduate students and new facilities on campus like the Student Union Building and Sorority Village.
Cheek said getting a Top 25 status would be huge for the university.
"First of all, it will recognize the quality institution that we are. But more importantly, it will be better for the students just because it makes our educational program better for them and better for the State of Tennessee," said Cheek.
The university also approved an increase to President DiPietro's salary. The 3.5% increase brought his yearly salary to $400,045.
To see the university's plan for growth over the next five years, visit the president's website.
University of Tennessee's Board of Trustees held its annual fall meeting Friday afternoon to discuss the progress the university has made over the last several years.
Gov. Bill Haslam also attended as an ex-officio board member.
President DiPietro updated the board on the progress towards the school's five-year plan. The board also voted to give him a 3.5% raise.
