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UTC trustees approve elevation of School of Nursing to College of Nursing
Summary
The Education, Research and Service Committee approved a proposal to elevate the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s School of Nursing to a standalone College of Nursing, citing program growth, high licensure pass rates and regional workforce needs.
Trustees on the University of Tennessee System Education, Research and Service Committee voted by voice to adopt a proposal elevating the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s School of Nursing to a College of Nursing.
Dr. Laurie Bruce, who presented the proposal, told trustees the nursing program has grown steadily since 1973 and now includes nearly 1,000 students across bachelor’s and doctoral programs and three BSN pathways: a traditional four‑year track, an accelerated second‑degree BSN and an RN‑to‑BSN pathway. Bruce said the programs produce high licensure success; she reported about 70–75 students sat for the NCLEX this year and that cohort had a 100% first‑time pass rate.
The proposal framed the elevation as a visibility and recruitment strategy in response to statewide workforce needs: Bruce cited a Tennessee Hospital Association projection estimating an 8,500‑RN shortfall in Tennessee over the next 10 years and urged that greater institutional visibility would help recruit students and faculty. She also highlighted clinical partnerships with Erlanger, Parkridge Medical Center and CHI Memorial Hospitals and described a mobile clinic focused on older adults that logged roughly 1,200 miles and served more than 400 seniors in eight counties during a three‑week period in October.
On finance and facilities, Bruce said the school is currently part of the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies and noted the school’s organizational structure and modest financial footprint make the change feasible. She referenced the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Science Building on UTC’s campus, noting an institutional fundraising goal of $21,000,000 for the project and an anchor gift from Dorothy and Jim Kennedy.
A trustee moved to approve the elevation, a second was given, and Chair Jamie Woodson called for a voice vote. Committee members voiced “aye” and the chair announced adoption. The transcript records a voice vote only; no roll‑call tally was provided.
UTC and system staff said the change is intended to increase the college’s visibility to prospective students and clinical partners and to support enrollment growth and faculty recruitment as nursing demand rises.
