The University of Memphis

The University of Memphis was founded under the auspices of the General Education Bill, enacted by the Tennessee Legislature in 1909. Known originally as West Tennessee State Normal School, the institution opened its doors Sept. 10, 1912, with Dr. Seymour A. Mynders as president. Having just celebrated its centennial anniversary, it has grown over the years into a major urban research university. Today, the University of Memphis is one of Tennessee's three comprehensive doctoral- extensive institutions of higher learning. Situated in a beautiful park-like setting in the state's largest city, it is the flagship of the Tennessee Board of Regents system. It awards more than 3,000 degrees annually. With an enrollment of approximately 21,000 students, The University of Memphis has 24 Chairs of Excellence, more than any other Tennessee university, and five state-approved Centers of Excellence.

The main campus is located approximately 4 miles east of downtown in the University District neighborhood of midtown Memphis, and is surrounded by residential neighborhoods. It has become a pedestrian only campus with wider sidewalks, beautiful landscaping and many new state-of-the-art facilities built within the last 15 years. These include the FedEx Institute of Technology, The Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management, Rose Theater, Clock Tower, and McWherter Library. A new University Center was competed in March 2010.

Memphis: A City with a Small Town Atmosphere

Memphis is ranked 20^th in the nation based on population but manages to maintain many of the positive features found in a small town. (www.memphischamber.com) It is a family oriented community with many recreational and competitive sports programs, music programs, theater programs and religious programs for children. Families come from miles to visit the Memphis Zoo and Aquarium, Children’s Museum, Pink Palace Museum, and Lichterman Nature Center. Other attractions include Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, and Memphis Botanic Garden.

Interested in professional sports? Memphis is home to the Grizzlies NBA basketball team and Redbirds AAA baseball team. It is also home to the St. Jude Golf Classic and the International Indoor Tennis Tournament.

When I think of Memphis I think of:

Elvis and his life at Graceland

The ducks at the Peabody Hotel

BB Kings on Beale Street

Memphis in May International Festival

National Civil Rights Museum

Where they filmed the movie “The Firm”

Sun Studios and all the great music created there.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Things to Consider when Evaluating your Salary

One of the most attractive features of life in Memphis is the area’s remarkably low cost of living. From the price of a steak to the cost energy for a home, daily life in Memphis simply takes a smaller bite out of one’s disposable income. Add to this the fact that Tennessee is one of the lowest-taxed states per capita in the nation.

Memphis has, in other words, all the amenities that come with being the 20th-largest city in the U.S. but at a cost of living nearly 14% below the national metro average. For the majority of newcomers, that means more money for travel, leisure and hobbies, or putting away for a rainy day. (www.memphischamber.com)

The cost of housing in Memphis is considerably lower than in most other parts of the country. When combined with the fact that Tennessee does not have a state income tax, faculty salaries will go further than in most other locations in the country. Currently, faculty benefits include a 50% reduction in tuition at Tennessee Board of Regents colleges and universities for a spouse or dependent children enrolled in undergraduate programs.

Memphis is headquarters for:

AutoZone, Inc., FedEx Corporation, Buckeye Technologies, First Horizon National Corporation, Fred’s Stores, International Paper, Mueller Industries, Renasant Corporation, Thomas & Betts, Wright medical Group, Verso Paper, Guardsmark, Lenny’s Sub Shop, Malco Theatres, Perkins and Marie Callendar’s, and ServiceMaster.

Memphis is the location for major divisions/operations for:

Cargill Incorporated, United Technologies/Carrier Corp., Evergreen Packaging, Hilton Hotels, Nike, Nucor Steel, Merck, Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics, Medtronic Spinal and Biologics, Williams-Sonoma, and the Hershey Company.

The Engineering Technology Department

The open tenure track position in the Engineering Technology Department is at the assistant professor level. The positions is full time and the salary will be quoted based on a nine month contract. Faculty have the opportunity in the summer to work in industry, occasionally to teach for extra compensation, or to pursue other interests. The undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc. as a general engineering technology program. All faculty members are expected to participate in the continuous improvement activities associated with maintaining this accreditation. There are currently 7 faculty members in the department, 85% of whom are tenured. There are approximately 200 undergraduate students in the department.

Programs of Study

Students graduating from the program earn a B.S.E.T. degree. The program consists of a comprehensive core and various areas of study from which the student may select. Students must complete a minimum of two of these prescribed areas of study in order to satisfy graduation requirements. The program has both a rotation of day courses and evening courses than enables working adults to complete their degree. While part time faculty members are used to help with the evening courses, full time faculty are also called upon to teach evenings.

In addition to the undergraduate programs, there is a graduate program leading to a M.S.E.T degree. New faculty are expected to apply for graduate faculty status shortly after being hired and to work with graduate students on projects. The department also offers an online Graduate Certificate in Applied Lean Leadership.

Curriculum details are available on the department web site at www.et.memphis.edu

Teaching Expectations

The typical teaching load for a faculty member in the Engineering Technology Department is 4 courses with associated labs. The instructor of record is also responsible for developing and teaching each lab session associated with their lecture course. Teaching loads can be reduced for faculty who serve in an administrative position such as program coordinator or for faculty who are successful at securing external funding of their research program. To be considered for tenure a candidate must demonstrate effective teaching.

Research Expectations

Research activities in the Engineering Technology Department usually takes the form of the scholarship of application, integration or teaching. While publication in technical journals is encouraged most scholarship is done through peer reviewed conference publications or technical reports. Faculty members are encouraged to partner with industry on projects that utilize cutting edge technology and to include graduate students whenever possible. Faculty members are also encouraged to pursue internal or external funding in support of their research activities. To be considered for tenure a candidate must demonstrate a consistent record of scholarship relevant to their research interests.

Service Expectations

There are two areas of service all faculty members are expected to fulfill. The first is service on university, college and department committees. The second is service to the profession through participation in engineering/professional societies. To be considered for tenure a candidate must demonstrate a leadership role in service and have earned a reputation that extends beyond the University into the community, region and nation.

Apply online at https://workforum.memphis.edu/postings/3912