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Academics & Majors » Support & Resources


Academic Support & Resources

We want our students to succeed. Along those lines, UT offers a number of academic support services and resources to help ensure your forward progress as a university student. Just remember—it is your responsibility to seek out and take advantage of these services while you're at university. The fUTure is yours to build! Here are a few of the best places to start:

Student Success Center

The stated goal of the Student Success Center (SSC) is to "provide the support you need to be successful at UT." The SSC can point you in the right academic direction—or simply clear up confusion—by providing information and resources in the following areas:

The SSC also coordinates the following programs:

Finally, they direct both the African-American Achievers Scholarship (AAAS) and the African-American Incentive Grant (AAIG). They are truly a one-stop shop for your academic and community needs while you're at UT.

Libraries & Technology

University Libraries

Our network of university libraries provides state-of-the-art facilities in which students can search an on-line catalog of library's holdings from workstations in the libraries, from locations in residence halls or elsewhere on campus, or off-campus via the internet. With over 2.4 million volumes and 16,000+ serials, our collection is one of the most comprehensive in the South.

The Commons

The Commons is a collaboration between the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and University Libraries located on the second floor of Hodges Library. Here, you'll find OIT's Help Desk, which serves as a centralized source of information and service for computer and network services managed by OIT (email, wireless, personal webpages, password resets, etc.). You can also check out a laptop, learn how to use The Studio, check out cameras, use media workstations, watch a video for class, get help using one of the library's many databases, ask reference questions, and so much more.

Online @ UT

Online@UT manages UT's Course Management System (CMS), which is powered by Blackboard Learning System software. Your instructors will likely use Online@UT to facilitate delivery of course materials (documents, quizzes, images, etc.) over the course of the semester. This is one academic resource with which you'll become quite familiar during your time at UT!

One-on-One Tutoring

Writing Center

The Writing Center is managed by the Department of English. It offers free, individualized help to all student writers as they develop written assignments. Trained writing instructors help students become comfortable with writing, providing feedback on written work in all disciplines. Everything from brainstorming for ideas to polishing final drafts is covered, with emphasis on improving writing skills.

Language Resource Center

The LRC is managed by the Department of Modern Foreign Languages & Literatures. It provides students extra help with foreign languages. UT students and incoming freshmen may also take French and Spanish placement exams administered in the LRC.

Thornton Center

The mission of the Thornton Center is to provide the academic support, the educational programs, and the learning environment in which all student-athletes have the opportunity to achieve their academic and personal goals.

Minority Affairs

The Academic Support Unit of Minority Affairs operates aTutorial Program, a Book Loan Program, and the Early Alert Program during fall and spring semesters. Services are free of charge. Many students take advantage of the excellent services provided by these programs.

Disability Services

The Office of Disability Services seeks to eliminate the barriers that students with disabilities encounter and to work with them to achieve and maintain individual autonomy. The ODS assists students with documented disabilities by determining their eligibility for services and then working with students to determine reasonable accommodations and services which will, in turn, give the student equal access to the University. Services include assistance for students with visual, hearing, learning, mobility, or other impairments. Please remember that it is your responsibility to request disability services while at university. For more information call (865) 974-6087 (v/tty), or email ODS at ods@utk.edu.

Career Services

Career Services offers guidance and assistance in choosing a major, career exploration and planning, internships, summer and part-time employment, and full-time job placement. Workshops include resume writing, interviewing skills, business etiquette, and salary negotiation.

A Closer Look

» Who is my advisor? You may find yourself asking this question as a first-year student at UT. The Student Success Center has the answer!

» Do you work best with external feedback? As a college freshman, you may have never experienced an academic environment that demands a high level of independent academic work and self-discipline. If you need some assistance in transitioning to this frequently challenging way of life, you may want to sign up for the Early Alert Program.

» Wow, that's a big library. The folks at University Libraries offer a series of workshops and short courses designed to familiarize you with accessing our vast store of information, both print and online.

» I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. That's OK, many of us still don't know! If you find yourself really stuck and unable to determine which major(s) might lead to an interesting career, you can sign up for Career Services' course, "Exploring Majors and Careers."