What is the value of IPS to UT?

The University of Tennessee holds a land-grant mission that requires it to focus on teaching, research AND service.

Service happens from many venues throughout the university. Nursing students volunteer in clinics. Education students work in schools. Faculty members provide expertise to a variety of organizations. Service is a responsibility of all units of the university.

The Institute for Public Service has special responsibilities for service. Our very purpose for existing focuses us primarily on the service mission of the university.

So, how do we demonstrate that the service mission is worth the investment? We do this in a variety of ways. Some I've discussed earlier when I talked about our MIS systems and why they are important. We produce an annual report that gives examples of how our work is improving the lives of the citizens of the State of Tennessee. If you have not seen the 2009 edition, check it out on our web site.

We share information with a variety of stakeholders including the legislature and the UT Board of Trustees. They continue to support the service mission through financial resources and other means.

As you know, not everything we do can be boiled down to dollars and cents. But, everything we do is valuable to the customer who needs help. Our customers are a primary means of demonstrating the value of our services.

So, when you have an opportunity, always talk about the value of what you do!