UTC To Convert Newly Renovated IT Center For LGBTQ+ Support

Photo: UTC’s T. Cartter and Margaret Rawlings Lupton Library a.k.a. Lupton Hall; Photo Credit: utc.edu

The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

Yesterday morning, November 18th, 2021 The Tennessee Conservative published an article, prompted by tips from a University of Tennessee insider, stating that UTC reportedly had received approval from UT President Randy Boyd for the recently renovated IT Center to be converted into a “Pride Center.”

At our publication deadline, we had not received word back from University Administration regarding their plans, the project’s funding source or where the IT Center (that serves the entire campus population) would be relocated.

Yesterday afternoon, Interim Vice Chancellor from the UTC Division of Communications and Marketing, Gina Stafford got back with us.

The newly renovated IT Center in question is located in the T. Cartter and Margaret Rawlings Lupton Library, also known as Lupton Hall.

Stafford confirmed the conversion of the space by stating, “UTC will establish a student success center in Lupton Hall to provide education and support services to LGBTQ+ community members and the larger UTC community.”

Stafford went on to say that state funds would not be used for the conversion, rather, “Private funds will be used for the build out.”

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Lupton Hall, formerly the UTC Library, also houses other campus academic programs and services.

According to Stafford, the IT Center or “Campus Technology Center,” as she calls it, will be moved to the UTC Library where other technology-related services are located.

Both buildings are relatively the same regarding ease of accessibility for students, faculty and staff.

No word on whether the newer UTC Library, where the IT Center will be relocated to, will have comparable features to the newly renovated space at Lupton Hall.

About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative  ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career.  Most recently, he served as Deputy Directory for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others.  He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History.  Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com