For some of our students on campus, this is a very real concern. Luckily for us at UT, there are many resources available to address this growing need.
The UT Libraries Belonging and Engagement Committee recently held a panel discussion to explore resources available to students who are experiencing financial hardship. Blake Weiss, program director for basic needs with the Office of the Dean of Students; Nicole Carvagno, UT student and director of Smokey’s Pantry (a food pantry for Tennessee Vols); and Javiette Samuel, associate vice chancellor for diversity and engagement, gathered with interested students, faculty, and staff at a hybrid panel in the Student Union. Philippa Satterwhite, coordinator of financial wellness and education for UT’s Center for Financial Wellness, moderated the discussion.
What was discovered during the session was that underfed and undernourished students are less likely to be engaged during classes and more likely to exhibit poor academic performance. Fixed costs — such as tuition and books, rent and gas — remain constant, with food costs likely being the factor that gets trimmed or eliminated. Options for Vols include the Big Orange Pantry (held in the Student Union and open daily) and Smokey’s Pantry (available Tuesdays at nearby Tyson House).
Needs don’t end once meals are consumed, however. The Center for Financial Wellness, located in the John C. Hodges Library, provides help for students to improve their money management skills through one-on-one appointments, presentations, and other online resources. Smokey’s Closet can provide business attire for students preparing for interviews.
Most services are available to students, faculty, and staff. And very little information is needed to access services.
Food insecurity and meeting the basic needs of college students has emerged as a critical concern at public higher education campuses across the nation. Here at UT, our staff are working hard to make sure our VFLs are well provided for during their time on our campus.
Friday, October 28, 2022
Día de los Muertos
University Libraries and the department of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures co-hosted the annual Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead celebration! Participants joined in the colorful festivities, learned and immersed themselves in Hispanic history and culture, and supported students!
Advertisement for the 2022 Día de los Muertos.
Friday, September 30, 2022
International Festival
Participated in the International Festival on Friday, September 30th on the Pedestrian Walkway as reported by the Daily Beacon.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Lunch & Learn – Our Lives Are Not Disposable: The Erasure and Disrespect of Disabled Women
Many students you will encounter on the university campus are dealing with the added challenges of autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or mental health issues. And university staff are committed to removing barriers to their success.
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Lunch & Learn – Lunch with the Harlem Quartet
The UT Libraries’ Belonging and Engagement Committee invites you to lunch with the Harlem Quartet. This very special, in-person reception with members of the renowned string quartet will be limited to 30 attendees at 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, in room 270 of the Student Union.
Saturday, February 6, 2021
Black Issues Conference
Misinformation & Your Health: An Exploration of Where We Find Information Culturally. Presented by Michelle Brannen, Melanie Dixson, Niki Kirkpatrick, Thura Mack & Megan Venable
Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead – Hodges Library
The Department of Modern Foreign Languages and the Libraries Belonging and Engagement Committee hosted a Day of the Dead celebration where altars created by UT students were set up on Friday, October 29, 2021.
Friday, September 21, 2018 10:00am – 2:00pm
International Festival – Pedestrian Walkway
The Libraries Belonging and Engagement Committee will be participating with a booth at the UT International Festival organized by the International House. Join us on the pedestrian walkway to celebrate international cultures with food, music, dance, art, and other activities. Stop by the Libraries booth to learn about where our international students are from and where our students travel to and sample candy from these cultures.
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Day of the Dead
Hodges Library Galleria (1st floor)
Join the Department of Modern Foreign Languages and the Libraries Belonging and Engagement committee to explore altars to honor the dead created by UT students and vote for your favorite.
Friday, September 29, 2017 10:00am – 2:00pm
International Festival Pedestrian Walkway
The Libraries Belonging and Engagement Committee will be participating with a booth at the UT International Festival organized by the International House. Join us on the pedestrian walkway to celebrate international cultures with food, music, dance, art, and other activities. Stop by the Libraries booth to learn about where our international students are from and where our students travel to and sample candy from these cultures.
February 19, 2016
2016 CCI Experience Diversity Banquet
The CCI Experience Diversity Banquet is an annual event hosted by the Diversity Student Leaders Society. The purpose of the banquet is to provide an inspirational diversity experience for students, faculty and all others in attendance. The banquet also raises funds to support the college’s Diversity and Inclusion Program.
February 6, 2016
11th Annual Black Issues Conference
UT Libraries Belonging and Engagement Committee members Michelle Brannen, Anne Hulse, Thura Mack and Megan Venable were invited to present at the 11th annual Black Issues Conference on Saturday, February 6, 2016. Their presentation, titled “Is What You See What You Get: Truth Lies, Marketing and Diversity on Campus” was held before a standing-room-only audience of 35 attendees.
February 20, 2015
2015 CCI Experience Diversity Banquet
Members of the UT Libraries Belonging and EngagementCommittee attended the 2015 College of Communication and Information’s Experience Diversity Banquet on February 20, 2015. Held at the Bearden Banquet Hall, the purpose of the banquet is to provide an inspirational diversity experience for students, faculty and all others in attendance. The banquet also raises funds to support the college’s Diversity and Inclusion Program.
The 2015 Experience Diversity Banquet CCI Diversity Award recipient is Dr. Tom Kim, founder and director of the Free Medical Clinic of America based in Knoxville. Dr. Kim is a passionate advocate for those who cannot afford medical treatment and has started five free medical clinics to serve their needs.
The 2015 Keynote Speaker is John Onuoha, an inspirational speaker/performer and a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He is currently director of project/product portfolio management at OptumInsight, a UnitedHealth Group Company in St. Louis, Missouri.
February 7, 2015
10th Annual Black Issues Conference
“Standing your ground: Do online conversations matter or make a difference?”
On February 7, 2015, members of the UT Libraries Belonging and Engagement Committee (Anne Hulse, Cathy Jenkins, Megan Venable, Michelle Brannen, Thura Mack and Jessie Abernathy) were invited to present at the 10th Annual Black Issues Conference at the University Center. Their presentation titled “Standing your ground: Do online conversations matter or make a difference?” was given to an audience of about 20 students and included participation by Vice Chancellor for Diversity Rickey Hall. The UT Libraries Diversity Committee has participated in the Black Issues Conference for several years.
October 18, 2014
2014 Komen Race for the Cure
October 2014
Disabilities History Month
University Center display case
September 18, 2014
Disabilities 101
2014 Life of the Mind: Daytripper – Culture Corner
August 22, 2014
Welcome Week diversity table
July 17, 2014
Tour and Overview of Libraries’ Assistive Technologies and Equipment areas
April 11, 2014
2014 International Festival
The Belonging and EngagementCommittee staffed a table at UT’s International Festival on April 11, 2014. The festival is sponsored by the International House, and our theme this year was Disability Resources.
February 21, 2014
2014 CCI Experience Diversity Banquet
The College of Communication and Information held its annual Experience Diversity Banquet Friday, February 21, at 7pm at the Bearden Banquet Hall in Knoxville. The keynote speaker is Robin Wilhoit, news anchor for WBIR-TV in Knoxville. Wilhoit also will receive the 2014 College of Communication and Information Diversity Award.
February 11, 2014
Safe Zone Training: Empowering LGBT Allies
The Library hosted this training session offered by UT’s Employee & Organizational Development on February 11, 2014. The training uses activities and discussion to encourage participants to reflect on their own attitudes about gender and sexuality and to become aware of different forms of discrimination faced by LGBT individuals.
February 1, 2014
9th Annual Black Issues Conference
“I hate it when….I would like it if….”: Scandalous College Stereotypes
The Belonging and Engagement Committee presented a session on February 1, 2014 entitled “‘I hate it when… I would like it if…’: Scandalous College Stereotypes.” Attendees explored college stereotypes through games and activities with the hope of increasing awareness of the impact stereotypes have in our community.
What comes to mind when you hear someone called a thug, a jock, or a gangster? What about the absent-minded professor or the ghetto bird? You may have thought you broke free from stereotypes in high school only to find they’ve followed you to college. Join us as we look at stereotypes, how they may affect you, how you may inadvertently be misunderstanding others, and what you can do to break out of the mold. In this session, attendees will participate by exploring college stereotypes through games and activities with the hope that we can increase awareness of the impact stereotypes have in our community.
Beyond college stereotypes – The Secret is Out….
October 26, 2013
2013 Komen Race for the Cure
The UT Libraries Belonging and EngagementCommittee sponsored a team for this event which took place on October 26, 2013, and raised the second highest amount of money for a team in the race.
October 3, 2013
Race for the Cure Salad Bar / Raffle Fundraiser
The Belonging and EngagementCommittee organized a salad bar lunch on October 3, 2013 for library staff to help raise funds for the Libraries’ Race for the Cure Team. Staff participated in a raffle for prizes, and we were able to raise over $1,000 for the team.
October 2, 2013
VolAware Street Fair
The VolAware Street Fair was October 2, 2013. The Belonging and EngagementCommittee participated with an activity for students to create their own stress balls and by promoting our DeStress for Success activities.
May 23, 2013
Cookie Bakeoff 2013
On May 23, 2013, the Belonging and Engagement Committee hosted a Cookie-Bakeoff and Meet-and-Greet for the UT Libraries. Staff members were invited to bake their favorite cookie recipe, share the recipes with others staff, and vote on their favorite cookie. In a close race, Regina Mays won the majority of votes with her Lemon Cake Cookies. Cathy Jenkins came in second place, and Nicole Carney came in third. At the event, we also featured highlights of the Diversity Committee programs as well as our new website.
April 19, 2013
2013 International Festival
On April 19, 2013, the Belonging and Engagement Committee set up a booth at UT’s International Festival. The table featured recipe cards from the Libraries Special Collection’s Cookbook Collection. Our food theme was Southern recipes.
National Library Week Display
During National Library Week April 14-20, 2013, a display was set up to show appreciation for UT Libraries.
February 22, 2013
2013 CCI Experience Diversity Banquet
The University of Tennessee College of Communication and Information held its fifth annual Experience Diversity Banquet on February 22, 2013 at Bearden Banquet Hall in Knoxville. The keynote speaker and recipient of the 2013 CCI Diversity Award was Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero.
February 19, 2013
Common Ground Book Club: Real Man Adventures
T Cooper’s Real Man Adventures was the subject of the Common Ground Book Club on February 19, 2013. Library Dean Steve Smith led the discussion of this comic look at the author’s transsexual journey.
February 2, 2013
8th Annual Black Issues Conference
Librarians presented information on the Human Library at the Black Issues Conference on February 2, 2013 to UTK students, faculty and staff. A discussion was led about the meaning and impact of titles. Plans were shared about the future of the program in 2013 and 2014.
January 13, 2013
2013 Race Against Racism
The members of the committee volunteered to set up a table on January 13, 2013 at the Race Against Racism. It was presented for the Association of Dr. Martin L. King Jr Commemorative Commission celebration.
January 2013
Citizenship Display at the University Center
In January 2013, the Library Belonging and Engagement Committee created a Citizenship Display in the University Commons as part of our Culture Corner program. Works and materials from UT Library displays were presented with the hopes of encouraging a dialog regarding what makes a good citizen.
Common Ground Book Club: The Things They Carried
The Things They Carried was discussed at the Common Ground Book Club on November 14th, 2012 in the Commons South, Hodges Library. The book, written by Tim O’Brien, is a series of stories about a platoon of American soldiers in Vietnam.
November 12-16, 2012
#ThanksUTveterans Campaign
Through a Solider’s Eyes – a video-slide show of photographs collected from veterans and exhibited in Hodges Library. Professor Baldwin Lee, working with the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy and the UT Center for the Study of War and Society, has been collecting photos from soldiers and assembling them into an exhibit. The photos may also be published as a book.
Volunteers Say Thank You —Faculty, staff and students were given red, white and blue sticky notes to write “thank you” messages to veterans which were posted to a six foot 2D model of the word “Volunteer” located on the 2nd floor of Hodges Library.
Diversity Action Plan
Learn how the libraries are working to advance access, accountability, an inclusive campus climate, and equity.
