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JACKSON, Tenn. — April 23, 2007 — 51���� trustees adopted a record budget, approved a new master’s degree in social work and heard a positive report about the “Union 2010” long-range plan at their spring meeting April 12-13.

“Overall, it was an outstanding meeting,” Union President David S. Dockery said. “Every vote was unanimous. The trustees are unified in their commitment to the university and the ‘Union 2010’ plan. For these blessings we are all deeply grateful.”

In his report to the board, “Union 2010: A View from 2007,” Dockery informed trustees that the university has already completed about 25 percent of the goals of the long-range plan and is on target to complete the rest.

Originally adopted in 2004, “Union 2010” included such goals as the completion of White Hall; new degree programs in Christian studies, education and nursing; a women’s soccer program; increased enrollment to 3,500 by 2010; and new academic programs in pharmacy and social work.

To support these goals, Union in 2005 launched a $110 million capital campaign, “Union 2010: A Vision for Excellence.”

Dockery reported that the campaign is at $92 million and is ahead of schedule.

In a step toward completing the goals for 2010, trustees approved a record $54 million budget for 2007-2008, an 8 percent increase over the current year’s budget. They also previewed a $60 million budget for 2008-2009.

In other matters, trustees approved a new Master of Social Work degree program. The target date for beginning the program is the fall of 2008.

Two tracks will be available for degree completion. The first will be a 60-hour program for students who do not qualify for advanced standing. For qualified students who have a recent bachelor’s degree in social work, the program will take only one year to complete.

“The Master of Social Work program is one we’ve been studying for about two years,” Dockery said. “Union’s social work undergraduate program has grown rapidly in recent years and our graduates have had a growing impact on this community, particularly the nonprofit agencies. Those agencies have come to us asking not only for employees, but leaders and professional counselors – which requires a graduate degree.”

Trustees also re-elected Harry Smith as chairman of the board and selected Ed Graves as vice chairman and Bill Dement as secretary.