The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, wishes to express its condolences to those affected by the tragic events that occurred last week at the University of Alabama at Huntsville.
This incident reminds us of our citizenship in a larger community of scholarship and caring. It also provides an opportunity for us to reflect upon our local university community and the importance of caring for ourselves and those around us.
If you are a Knoxville-area staff or faculty member in crisis, or if you are concerned about the behaviors displayed by a staff or faculty member, there is help available.
There are multiple resources available to you, depending on the specific situation:
- Benefits-eligible staff and faculty members seeking confidential and free mental health counseling for themselves can call 1-800-308-4934 to reach the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This number puts you in touch with Magellan Health, the company that provides UT with EAP services. Alternately, you can contact Mary Lucal, EAP coordinator, at 865-974-1909.
- If a staff or faculty member is experiencing a conflict for which mediation might be useful, an appointment can be made to see an ombudsperson. The faculty ombudsperson is Bill Nugent; the staff ombudsperson is Elaine Wynn. Appointments with either can be made by calling 865-974-6481.
- If you are a staff or faculty member and are in crisis, or if you are concerned about another faculty or staff member between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., you can call the Human Resources Call Center at 865-946-8847. Outside of the 865 area code, Knoxville-area faculty and staff can call1-888-444-UTHR. The call center team can connect you with someone trained to assist you.
- In case of immediate emergency, those on the Knoxville campus can contact the UT Police Department at 865-974-3114.
Again, the most important fact you can remember when you or someone in your workplace is experiencing crisis is that there is help available.