At the State level, the Office of Government Relations works with all elected officials and General Assembly staff to fund major projects for the University.  We assist the Tennessee Board of Regents on legislative projects including changes to higher education tuition, the Hope Scholarship Program, and the Chairs of Excellence Program.  The office also pursues state contracts for government consulting projects for University faculty.  The Office hosts several luncheons for the Shelby County Delegation in Nashville during legislative session.  Each luncheon features faculty and their research as it pertains to State policy.

Project Highlights

Financial Literacy

The University of Memphis in partnership with the State of Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, has recently developed the SmartTennessee program.  Dr. Julie Heath, Chair of the Department of Economics at the University of Memphis, spearheaded this project locally with Memphis City Schools.  Through the leadership of Representative Lois DeBerry, Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and Senator Jim Kyle, in 2006 legislation was passed appropriating $125,000 as pilot funding for 25 schools across the state for this program.  First Tennessee Bank has committed $375,000 as matching funds for the program.  This year, Commissioner Gonzales from the TN Department of Financial Institutions added $75,000 to the project’s budget.  The goal over the next several years is to leverage that funding with private dollars and work with the Governor’s Office and Department of Education on the creation of a K-12 curriculum.

U of M Center for Economic Education

Biochemistry and Biology Building

This 65,000 square foot research building will enhance and support the University of Memphis in its research endeavors, especially in the natural cell sciences including developmental biology and molecular biology.  The new state of the art building will enhance the research and outreach functions of the Feinstone Institute of Molecular Biology and will enable the University to compete more effectively for highly qualified faculty, postdoctoral students and undergraduates.  In 2007, the Tennessee General Assembly appropriated $1 million in planning funds for this building.  The University of Memphis is anticipating additional state dollars in the upcoming years.

Community Health Building

This building will house two of the University of Memphis’ most successful programs, the Loewenberg School of Nursing and the School of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.  To be located on the University’s Park Avenue Campus, this project will replace existing 40 old year facilities which have had severe problems caused by deferred maintenance and the lack of modern equipment and usable space.  In 2007, the Tennessee General Assembly appropriated $850,000 in planning funds for this building.  The University of Memphis has raised over $8 million in private donations, and will pursue additional funding from state and federal sources.