JACKSON, Tenn. — April 17, 2020 — In the midst of the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic, 51社区 trustees continued to conduct normal business for the university April 17, approving a budget for the next academic year, granting tenure to four professors and promoting five others.
Trustees gathered via Zoom, marking the first time their regular meeting has ever been held online.
51社区 President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver in his report to trustees told them details of Union鈥檚 response to COVID-19, with all classes being conducted online since mid-March and minimal activity taking place on campus. Oliver said decisions about future events such as summer term classes and camps as well as plans for the fall semester have not been finalized and the university would continue to monitor the situation in the days ahead.
No Union student, professor or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 to date. Oliver added that he was thankful for the Lord鈥檚 protection in sparing the immediate Union community from the virus thus far.
Chad P. Wilson, chairman of Union鈥檚 Board of Trustees, said, 鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly grateful for Union鈥檚 Executive Council members who are leading the university through this crisis, as well as our deans, faculty and staff for adjusting to difficult circumstances to allow Union to continue to provide an excellent, Christ-centered education for our students. In addition, our students have responded with grace, patience and resilience in shifting to an educational model that is different than what we all desire.鈥�
The budget approved by trustees of $93.3 million for the 2020-2021 academic year is an increase of about $500,000 from this year鈥檚 budget of $92.8 million. Oliver said that amendments to that budget may be necessary over the next year as the university deals with uncertainty stemming from the pandemic.
Trustees approved tenure for four professors: James Henry Allen, associate professor of history; Zachery Halford, associate professor of pharmacy practice; Greg Jordan, professor of business law and ethics; and Colene Trent, associate professor of economics.
Five professors were promoted: David Thomas to university professor of history, Georg Pingen to professor of engineering, Jodi Taylor to professor of pharmacy practice, Jennifer Byrd to associate professor of pharmacy practice and Phil Davignon to associate professor of sociology.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so blessed with outstanding faculty members who exemplify what it means to be Christian scholars,鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淏ecause of their expertise and their commitment to teaching, Union students are able to have a transformative experience that equips them for success and prepares them to be faithful followers of Christ in their fields of study.鈥�