Proposals submitted by UT Martin for higher admissions standards, a new campus recreation center and the establishment of two off-campus centers in Lauderdale and Decatur counties gained approval of the UT Board of Trustees at its November meeting in Knoxville.

The proposal for higher admissions standards, effective fall 2008, calls for revising regular admission requirements to attract and enroll students whose academic preparation, motivation and maturity indicate they can be successful in an academic setting. New requirements will be a 21 ACT score and a 2.5 high school grade-point average or an 18 ACT score and 2.85 high school GPA. Conditional admission requirements for students who do not meet regular requirements will not change and continue to be handled on an individual basis.

“Our intent is to gradually increase the academic rigor and expectations for our students as we also improve our legacy of quality student support services, advising and experiential opportunities for students,” said Dr. Tom Rakes, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Our students will graduate and be well prepared for a career or advanced studies.”

In addition, UT Martin proposes to establish two off-campus education centers, one in Ripley (Lauderdale County) by fall 2007 and another in Parsons (Decatur County) by fall 2008. Both counties are among 12 of the 21 counties in West Tennessee listed as “most critical” in the most recent National Educational Needs Index.

UT Martin established an education center in Selmer (McNairy County) in 2001. Since that time, the UT Martin McNairy County Center/Selmer has experienced significant growth on a yearly basis.

In preparation for the establishment of the centers, the Ripley program was staffed and classes were offered beginning in January 2006 on the TTC-Ripley campus to begin building a student base. Likewise, staffing has begun for the Parsons program with initial classes beginning in January 2007.

The board of trustees also approved construction of a 94,600 square-foot campus recreation center at a cost of $16.5 million. The facility will include four basketball courts/indoor soccer arena, a walking/jogging/running area, a swimming pool, weight room, and cardio-fitness areas, among other amenities.

The new recreation center will be built primarily for students, as student fees will be the primary funding source. Other potential users may include faculty, staff, retirees, alumni and families of UT Martin students and employees, who will pay a fee for use of the facility.

“Student behavior is evolving into a more active state, with students no longer being content to simply be spectators. Today’s students want to be involved and actively participate in some form of recreation,” said Gina McClure, director of campus recreation.