University of Tennessee employees are an important resource whose opinions and suggestions are valued. Therefore, each campus or unit of the university has an employee relations advisory organization consistent with its organizational structure.
The Employee Relations Advisory Organization was begun in the early 1970's, shortly after Dr. Edward J. Boling became president of the University of Tennessee. Dr. Boling established various communications vehicles within the university that would allow members of the administration to hear and respond to the concerns of different constituencies. He set up several advisory groups and councils and established a series of regular meetings with these groups to foster communications. The groups were formed to address issues of the students, faculty, and staff.
The Employee Relations Advisory Organization (ERAO) was a communication group established to respond to concerns of the non-exempt staff. Over time, the ERAO was established at each university campus and each of those groups elected a representative to meet with the president and his or her staff at regular meeting intervals. In 2004, representatives from Exempt Staff Councils (ESC) joined this group.
This organization continues to provide a direct channel of communication between regular staff and university officials for information and advisory purposes, and provides university officials with an effective method of soliciting and disseminating information concerning plans and programs affecting employees.
An Employee Relations Advisory Board (ERAB) exists at the university system level to serve as an advisory group to the president with respect to human resources policies, programs, and practices. This board consists of:
The council or committee may choose to elect the board representative for a period of one or two years. Board members should be elected before February 1st of each election year, and the secretary should be informed of the term length for each board member.
The University of Tennessee, Health Science Center ERC
Ms. Karen Weatherly
(901) 448-5577
Health Science Center ESC
Mr. Ken Bradshaw
(901) 448-5661
Institute of Agriculture ERC
Ms. Virginia Bleazey
(865) 974-8236
Knoxville ERC, Academic Affairs
Ms. Valerie Hodge
(865) 974-0397
Knoxville ERC, Student Affairs & Auxiliary Services
Ms. Mary Evans
(865) 974-2435
Knoxville ERC, University Operations
Mr. Roger McDonald
(865) 974-2505
Knoxville Area ESC
Dr. PJ Snodgrass
(865) 974-7315
Space Institute ERC
Ms. Rebecca Layman
(931) 393-7493
University Administration & Support Services ERC
Ms. Gloria Tipton
(865) 974-3121
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Ms. Valerah Hodges ERC
(423) 425-4461
Mr. Jim Bowman ESC
(423) 425-4000
The University of Tennessee at Martin
Ms, Deborah Adcock ERC
(731) 881-7024
The University of Tennessee Medical Center
Ms. Glenda Walker ERC
(865) 544-9524
Mike Herbstritt
230 Conference Center Bldg.
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
Phone: 865-974-2889
Dan Webb
207 Race Hall, Dept 3603
615 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Phone: 423-425-4221
J. Phillip Bright
112 Administration Building
Martin, TN 38238
Phone: 731-881-7845
Patricia Burks-Jelks
411 B. H. Goethert Pkwy.
MS-11
Tullahoma, TN 37388-9700
Phone: 931-393-7226
Michael Alston
920 Madison Ave., Suite 420
Memphis, TN 38163
Phone: 901-448-2112
