The University of Memphis is continuing to renovate the newlybought Millington Center, and the estimated time of completion isJune 2004.
The University took ownership of the 42 acres of land on themilitary base Dec. 17, 2002, after the U.S. government downsizedfrom 22,000 to 600 Navy personnel. The 600 personnel moved to otherlarger cities, said Bob Gaston, director of business development atThe University.
The University wanted to allow West Tennessee the opportunity toseek higher learning and to have the convenience of a satellitecampus, said Gaston.
The growth of this area and having students in Tipton County andnorthern Tennessee are reasons for the extended programs, SamBrackstone, assistant vice provost of the Extended Programs said.Some students have difficulty getting to the main campus because ofits location.
In fall 2003, The University began its renovation of WillisHall, one of the four buildings on the property.
Six hundred and fifty students are now taking classes inMillington and will move to the new Millington Center in June.
As the student body grows and funds are available, TheUniversity will begin renovating the other three buildings, Gastonsaid.
Undergraduate, masters, doctorial and nursing programs will beoffered at the new Millington location. Although the currentMillington location offers some of these programs, the new facilitywill have a larger variety of available classes.
"Twenty-eight classes are available in Millington now. More willbe available," Herbert McCree, the vice president of extendedprograms, said.
"They look for classes they've taught in the past and choose theones that were successful," a U of M professor said, who teaches aclass in Millington.
Teachers will also have the opportunity to station themselves atthe new Millington Center. The professors who currently teach inMillington either have an office on The University's main campus ornone at all.
More teachers may be needed, but no one will know untilregistration starts for the upcoming semesters. Each departmentwill need to monitor the growth of the center.
"Each department is responsible for hiring its own instructors,"Brackstone said.
"I think it's a good experience for students to go off-campus,"a professor of sociology at The University said.
One Millington professor said he looks forward to teaching inthe new facilities when they open this summer.
"Having our own center will be very beneficial for TheUniversity," he said.
