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Letter from the Editor-in-Chief: The pit of apathetic monotony
CADEN DYER Editor-in-Chief
sweat of self-consciousness, afraid to do anything wrong or say something that might deserve a sideways glance. I arrived to the University of Tennessee in 2023 expecting this feeling of panic to continue.
Vols, I have found the opposite to be true, and it concerns me.
Welcome to Rocky Top, new Vols! And welcome back, returning Vols! I am so excited to begin this year with you and lead the one thing you can count on each week: The Daily Beacon.
If you’re unfamiliar with our publication, I hope you’ll take the time each Wednesday to read through our physical print edition and learn more about what’s happening around good old UT. And if you haven’t already, you can drop us a follow on Instagram @ utkdailybeacon, where we share breaking news, fun feature stories and updates on UT athletics. Staying in touch with your campus and your new (or old, familiar) hometown can only serve to guard against a danger I find increasingly present: college student apathy.
In high school, we experience the unshakable certainty that everyone is looking at us, all the time. We walk hallways in a
You will see it begin to infiltrate our beautiful campus very soon. Within a couple months, the newness of sorority life will begin to wear off, the feverish Volunteer spirit will go down ever so slightly and as class workloads grow and demand more of your time, you’ll be presented with the quiet, polarizing temptation to not care.
Apathy has descended on our generation — at least, in real life. Online, where it’s easy to be passionate about your politics and beliefs while hiding behind a fake username (or your real one), is not what I’m talking about here. No, Gen Z needs to face our very real problem: We are afraid to care about what’s happening around us.
Many times I find myself surrounded by other students who seem entirely preoccupied with themselves, their phones or their friends. It’s a strange phenomenon: trundling down Ped Walkway, hands in pockets, ears tucked
behind a set of headphones and realizing that no one is paying attention to you at all.
Dear reader, I urge you: Do not allow yourself to fall into this pit of apathetic monotony. Why? Because caring — out loud, deeply, with fervor — is what brings about change in this world. The online front will only go so far. It’s up to you whether you will have the character to spring from the pit and rise to the challenge of actually concerning yourself with other people, their lives and their needs.
By keeping up with news sources like the Beacon, I hope you can stay informed of the changes, both good and bad, that UT and Knoxville will undergo in the upcoming year. Our world faces a steady current of breaking news headlines, listing out destruction after devastation. It needs young people like you to care enough to say something out loud, to care enough to pay attention to those around you and to care enough to break free from the digital world and really, truly do something. After all, that’s what a Volunteer would do, right?
Vol Means All. Welcome home!
Letter from the Managing Editor: Embracing firsts, enjoying lasts: Let’s do this
ANSLEY GRAVES Managing Editor
Stepping into my senior year at the University of Tennessee has, without a doubt, been one of the most bittersweet experiences I have known. While some might be excited to start a new life after college, for me, it feels like a season of many lasts.
It was my last time doing the summer drive up from Georgia to Knoxville and saying, “See you at Thanksgiving!” to my parents, my last time living with all of my friends in our house on Clinch Avenue and my last year being a student for the rest of my life — might I add, at the greatest establishment to ever exist — UT.
What better way to close such a significant chapter than at a place like UT?
However, while the seemingly depressing season of lasts is approaching, I think it is important to reflect on some of the firsts and how they got me to where I am today.
Walking into JMED 175, taught by the lovely Shannon Scovel, is where I became acquainted with the Beacon for the very first time.
At the beginning of class one day, we were
given a brief interest presentation about the school’s student-led newspaper, The Daily Beacon. Professor Scovel pointed out that we had a Beacon celebrity among us, Bella Hughes, the upcoming editor-in-chief.
I applied to the Beacon that day on a whim. In the next class, I whispered to Bella to see if she got my application. Of course, she had no idea who I was, and asking her to review my application in the middle of class was offputting, but sophomore me was determined to start finding my purpose — and that I did.
Fast forward, I attended a Beacon interest meeting, where I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get lost on the way there and contemplated leaving without giving it another thought.
Nevertheless, I persevered and entered the office for the first time, where I met Callie, the Beacon’s former opinions editor, not knowing that in a few short months I would become the new her.
I started off as a columnist and wrote for the opinions section, where I eventually published my very first article “How to date in your 20’s.” I’ll never forget seeing my article for the first time in the paper, and feeling that electric high, a feeling that still has not worn off.
As I continued to write, I felt like I was figuring it all out for the first time since living in Knoxville, where eventually, I was chosen to be the opinions editor. I wrote over 20
articles my first semester of being an editor, and I won my first award. This will soon be the first of many, which still feels unreal to say.
Being a section editor meant I got to hear real, raw and personal stories that — whether the writer realized it or not — touched so many people on our campus and beyond. I, however, wanted to try my hand at something different, and explore more possibilities the Beacon had to offer.
Out of my many firsts, one of my favorites was building the confidence to take a leap of faith and apply to be the managing editor of UT’s student-led newspaper. Spoiler alert: it paid off.
To incoming freshmen about to experience the first of what will feel like a million firsts, enjoy every second of it.
It might seem corny, but whether it be stepping on campus for the first time, meeting a new friend or even just finding your niche, don’t take any of it for granted. Truth be told, you’ll look back and realize these firsts aren’t small at all, but essential to your growth and the person you will leave UT as.
To upperclassmen who might be dreading a year of lasts, remember that these endings, while bittersweet, will always lead you to new beginnings.
Let’s do this.
NEW VOLS, NEW HALLS
Record enrollment rates pose questions for UT housing scene
CADEN DYER Editor-in-Chief
The University of Tennessee is welcoming a new freshman class with record enrollment rates for the 2025-26 school year. The milestone raises a pressing question: Where will they live?
The phrase “housing crisis” has become familiar around campus, as students often describe the struggle of finding a place to stay. While freshmen are required to live in residence halls, most upperclassmen face an overcrowded Fort, less-than-ideal apartments on the Strip or longer commutes as they search for affordable housing off campus. Students who are “waitlisted” for housing are burdened with the task of planning to rent an apartment or house without actually signing a lease.
For sophomores like Elly Davenport, being waitlisted for on campus housing has meant two whole semesters of uncertainty. She describes the housing market as “nearly impossible” by March 2025, when she was cut from the resident assistant selection process. Securing an RA position would have guaranteed her both housing and a job — two things she desperately needed.
When March rolled around, everyone Davenport knew already had housing. It took her about a month to find a place to live that was within her budget. Now, she faces a commute of almost 15 minutes to campus, which requires more planning and makes it
harder to find a conveniently located job.
Vice Chancellor for Student Life Frank Cuevas alluded to the housing crisis during the groundbreaking ceremony of Beacon and Poplar in 2024, calling it an “important milestone” for UT.
“The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is thriving, and the development of these new residence halls will help us … meet the needs of a growing student body while providing our students with affordable campus housing options.”
As older dorms face demolition and replacement, UT has focused on expanding student housing. Still, it’s not without growing pains — this summer, South Carrick was reopened as temporary housing for freshmen, even though it had been announced as “offline.”
Currently, around 20% of UT students live on campus. The university stated this fall that record total enrollment surpassed 40,000. Although the number fluctuates, UT’s website estimates that a little over 8,000 students live in residence halls.
Davenport said living off campus means navigating a “predatory” housing market that takes advantage of college students unfamiliar with fair prices. “It gets very dangerous,” she said.
Davenport pointed to what she believes is a growing need for upperclassmen
housing, alongside growth of the freshmen classes. Laurel Hall, while traditionally an upperclassmen dorm, has housed incoming freshmen in past years, causing speculation that there just isn’t enough room for new students.
“There’s a crisis not only for upperclassmen but also for the kids just coming to Knoxville,” Davenport said.
Looking ahead to next year
For students living on campus, the housing process for next year will begin soon.
In late August, UT Housing emails students their assigned start time for the housing application. Completing the application does not guarantee placement. By mid-September, students are notified of their eligibility for next year’s on campus housing, and many are placed on a waitlist that updates throughout the semester. Students may remove themselves from the waitlist at any time, but once removed, they cannot rejoin.
Chancellor Plowman welcomes new residential halls Poplar, Beacon in dedication ceremony
ANSLEY GRAVES Managing Editor
“We aren’t going back,” said University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman, regarding housing operations used in past developments.
In May 2023, UT announced two new residential buildings that will be set to house incoming Vols at the start of the 2025-26 school year. The dedication of Poplar and Beacon residence halls was held Aug. 18 at 3:30 p.m. in the Poplar residence courtyard, hosted by Chancellor Plowman and Vice Chancellor of Student Life Frank Cuevas.
Poplar Hall, located at 2103 Andy Holt Ave., houses 799 students with a quad layout, with two students per room. At the dedication event, Cuevas led students, faculty and staff on a tour throughout the building’s first floor, highlighting unique features such as a podcast room and kitchen, noting, “the
podcast room is set up for students to come in and be able to get to work, it is the first of its kind in a dorm.”
Beacon Hall, located at 1901 Caledonia Ave., is the larger of the two buildings, and will house an estimated 1,160 students. The hall is divided into east and west sections, and also contains a quad layout, with two beds in each room.
With the excitement of both Beacon and Poplar Hall’s grand opening, students took to TikTok, posting content such as room tours, floor meet ups and Panhellenic recruitment outfit checks.
One incoming freshman, Lizzy Winter, filmed a room tour in Beacon Hall, captioning it, “UTK girlies let’s all be bffs!” Winter filmed numerous videos about her experience as a new Beacon resident while advocating as a friendly face for fellow firstyears.
“Making TikToks was definitely helpful
in finding new friends,” Winter said. “My roommate and I have been recognized by freshmen and even upper classmen more than a few times from our TikToks, and it automatically sparked a conversation.”
Winter additionally told the Beacon that one of her favorite aspects about the building was the courtyard.
“I love how the building has a courtyard between east and west — it’s such a nice area to sit outside,” she said. “I also love the quad style suite setup. It connects the double rooms and allows for a common space between the two.”
The development of these new properties was carried out through a private-public partnership, the first of its kind for the university and the state of Tennessee. The private-public partnership was done as a larger project under the State Building Commission.
“This approach, this is the way to do it.
With private developers helping us, and doing it better, quicker and less expensive,” said Chancellor Plowman.
With a more effective process in place to potentially alleviate the housing crisis, the completion of the new residential halls mark just one of many, long-anticipated housing improvements for UT.
“As a growing university, we are increasing housing capacity as much as possible, so that they are not only closer to all of the resources they need to thrive, but also a support staff,” Cuevas said. “We want to shorten the distance between their home and their classroom.”
Both Poplar and Beacon are expected to become central parts of campus life as the 2025-26 academic year begins, offering students more hope for housing, and a step in the right direction for “building dorms differently,” said Plowman.
Chancellor Donde Plowman gives a speech at the Poplar Hall dedication ceremony. Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. Jayden Randolph / The Daily Beacon
SOPHIE MEHTA
Audience Development Editor
The 12th Knox Asian Festival returns to Knoxville on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, bringing a rich cultural experience of food, performances and much more to the heart of our city. It’s one of Knoxville’s most anticipated summer events — so much so, that it draws thousands of attendees every year.
Hosted by the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, the festival’s events will begin at 10:30 a.m. and conclude at 6:30 p.m., starting with an Asian cultural parade that features traditional outfits and music from a variety of countries. The parade will also feature a performance by the Clayton-Bradley Academy’s orchestra.
Additionally, there will be rotating performances throughout the day, ranging from Korean fan dancing all the way to Polynesian fire-dancing. Due to popular demand from previous attendees of the festival, U.S. Sumo wrestlers will also be accompanying these performances.
This year’s festival will feature a brand new event held the evening before, Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Tennessee Amphitheater located in World’s Fair Park.
This ticketed event will be a “Sushi and Sumo event” in which participants will be provided a sushi dinner from Zukku Sushi and watch sumo performers. Tickets for this event can be purchased through Eventbrite. Proceeds will support K-12 educational outreach programs across the region.
Booths will showcase different cultures using an interactive approach, with experiences such as Thailand’s Loy Krathong flower festival and a Japanese tea ceremony inside a mobile teahouse built by UT students. Over 80 arts and crafts vendors and 50 food vendors will be in attendance, in addition to a cosplay contest and
many more family-friendly activities. For a full list of the food vendors who will be in attendance, you can visit their website.
Jason Chau, owner of Hello Tea House, will be returning to the festival for his third year as a vendor. He praised the event’s organization, giving credit to both the staff and UT student volunteers who keep the operation going.
“It makes it easy for us to communicate with the staff and event people,” Chau said. “Sometimes vendors have unique needs, like extra electricity, and they accommodate them well. I’m very, very happy working with them.”
Misting stations, water refill stations and access to the Splash Pad will all be available to help attendees beat the expectedly intense heat. General admission tickets are $3 via Eventbrite or $5 at the gate. The festival is also accepting volunteers.
If you are in town, stop by World’s Fair Park to experience something unforgettable. Between the many diverse cuisines, performances, and activities, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Attendees are encouraged to wear traditional attire from their heritage or to just come as they are.
Popular restaurant chains Whataburger, Jimmy John’s, CAVA to join others opening on Cumberland Avenue
Jimmy John’s
Cumberland Avenue, nicknamed the Strip, features several classic establishments that generations of University of Tennessee students have come to love. However, as the university grows larger, each year brings new businesses to the area to cater to evolving needs. This fall, popular restaurant chains such as Whataburger, Jimmy John’s, CAVA, Taco Bell and others will be opening and ready to serve the community.
Whataburger
The Texas-based burger chain Whataburger is coming to 1830 Cumberland Ave., located below the TENN student apartments. As explained by Whataburger marketing manager Chrisy Lambert, the restaurant will feature 24/7 service with breakfast served from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m. Campus organizations can place large orders with Whataburger, which can be packaged in convenient boxes. Additionally, Lambert notes that the restaurant’s interior design merges the history of both Whataburger and UT.
Jimmy John’s, located across the street from Literboard, boasts sub sandwiches made with fresh ingredients that can be picked up in person or delivered right to your door. According to their website, the restaurant will be open from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, with the latter half of the week being open until 4 a.m. They also offer catering services and a Jimmy John’s Rewards loyalty program.
CAVA
CAVA, a chain known for its Mediterranean cuisine, will be opening adjacent to Whataburger at 1834 Cumberland Ave. Per Knoxville News Sentinel, it will share a building with Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers on the street level of the TENN student apartments. CAVA features buildyour-own bowls and pita wraps in a fastcasual dining atmosphere.
Cumberland Food Hall
According to Knoxville News Sentinel, Cumberland Food Hall is set to open on the bottom level of the Hub apartment complex on Cumberland Ave. in the spring of 2026. The University of Tennessee is leas-
ing the space through Aramark Educational Services, which means that students will be able to pay with dining dollars, VolCard and flex payments. The restaurant design presents both counter service and food lockers from a wide variety of vendors, including Zen Sushi & Wok, Athenian Grill and Big Orange Grill. Although specific hours have yet to be released, Knoxville News Sentinel states that it will be open for lunch and dinner.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is set to reopen at 1900 Cumberland Ave. after it was previously shut down for renovations on Dec. 30, 2024. According to Fox News Radio, the restaurant’s new layout consists of two floors but will lack a drive-thru due to city zoning agreements. The restaurant will focus on mobile orders and is set to open in May of 2026.
Hydr865
Located on the second floor of the University Commons (near Publix), Hydr865 offers IV infusion therapy bags, including a selection of bags specifically geared toward students that can aid in hangover relief, immune system support, and other health
concerns. Founder Kelly Absher states that Hydr865 advertises Thirsty Thursdays, in which infusion therapies are 20% off. Hydr865 also offers medical weight-loss options to clients. Appointment scheduling can be completed online at the Hydr865 website.
HARPER BRABSON
Copy Chief
Chinese dancers in the 2024 Knox Asian Fest. Courtesy of the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee
The Third Floor The Third Floor
The third floor is possibly the most mystical yet least traveled layer to the union. Up here, you can find the lovely Dean of Students, Byron Hughes, alongside the Student Union admin. The top floor of the Union offers spacious meeting rooms and beautiful hallways, but unless you are eating in the executive dining room or headed to the commuter student engagement center, most students don’t really have a reason to venture to the third floor. Fun fact: from top to bottom, you walk half a mile by climbing the stairs of the union.
The Food Court and Vol Shop
The Food Court and Vol Shop
You can access the bottomtwo floors: you can access these floors though the stairwell between the skybridge and the deli, through the double doors under the bridge or by going down the major staircase by Starbucks. Trying to access these floors is often the biggest challenge students have when it comes to the union, but also reaps the greatest rewards: Panda Express and the Vol Shop. After a stressful day packed with an 8 a.m. on the Hill, chem labs and dodging Lime scooters, you deserve to treat yourself to a smoothie bowl from Blenz and a shopping spree at the Vol Shop using your student discount.
History I Art Education | Museum and Curatorial Studies
Putting students first, expanding involvement in student government are top priorities of new SGA executives
PATRICK BUSCH News Editor
At the end of the spring semester, after an extensive campaign period, the student body elected its 2025-26 SGA executive board.
Student Body President Chase Darwin, Vice President Ella Blair and Speaker of the Senate Campbell Butler have spent the summer preparing for their turn at the helm of student government.
Each of the roles of the executive cabinet has its own responsibilities, designed to coordinate with different levels of SGA. Darwin, as president, focuses on the policy direction of and administration over student government. Darwin used an analogy, comparing SGA to a business, to illustrate his specific responsibilities.
“My primary role as the Student Body President is to ensure the needs and desires of the student body are being represented and prioritized on an administrative level,” Darwin said. “The SBP is the CEO of SGA, and it is my job to oversee the efficient operation of SGA on behalf of the student body.”
Blair compared her own role as vice president to the COO, overseeing internal operations and coordinating between SGA branches, committees and campus partners. In addition to being operationally-minded, Blair will oversee committee appointments.
Speaker of the Senate Campbell will lead and direct the legislative side of SGA — the Undergraduate Student Senate. Campbell will also play an important role in crafting legislation and empowering other members to create impactful legislation.
This administration’s executives are hopeful and confident in the fact that positive communication and genuine conversation between different elements of student government will allow greater cooperation.
“Communication is a top priority for me,” Darwin said. “I enjoy connecting with all members of our organization and ensuring we are on the same page. When first meeting with our new President’s Cabinet this summer, I focused on leading with positivity and cognitive empathy.”
Campbell echoed that sentiment and cited her own experience in resolving disputes
“SGA is in the room where these conversations happen. We’re making sure the student voice isn’t just heard, but prioritized. Lastly, we are all students, so we deal with the same issues students face every day on campus. Beacause we live the same experience we’re committed to aking it better for all of us!”
CHASE DARWIN, CAMPBELL BUTLER, ELLA BLAIR
within SGA.
“The common denominator I have seen in resolved disagreements has been a willingness to listen to all sides of the argument,” Campbell said. “It’s important to remember that we are all here on purpose. Whether you were elected or appointed, you were chosen by someone to be here. In my eyes, this makes everyone’s opinion valuable.”
Darwin, Blair and Campbell, in a joint statement, all emphasized the importance of connecting students to their student leaders.
“Tennessee is such a wonderful place with ample opportunities, yet a majority of students aren’t aware of all the great opportunities this university provides. Our administration hopes to connect these students with opportunities provided by the university.”
They continued to make the case for the value of SGA to students, citing previous examples of tangible and meaningful change for students on campus as a result of SGA policy.
A top priority of this year’s administration is making sure students are heard and see the value that engagement with SGA has for the improvement of their experience. Blair cited a surge in votes in last year’s election as evidence of improvement in this area that’s already begun to occur.
To aid in this effort, a significant project already underway is the creation of a new branch of SGA: Torch.
The administration identified transfer stu-
dents as a community that may feel especially disconnected from the university experience as a whole, but SGA in particular.
“This is a leadership-development program specifically designed for transfer students.
Members of our first Torch cohort will meet once a week on Wednesdays for this semesterlong program,” Blair said. “I have worked this summer to design a curriculum focused on developing leadership skills, connecting with fellow transfer students and working together on a legacy project.”
The legacy project is intended for subse-
From idea to impact: SGA’s legislative process
Think of the Undergraduate Student Senate as UT’s “student congress.” Senators are elected from across the student body, filling different seats designated for colleges and schools within the university, as well as for on and off campus students, and at-large seats. Senators, once serving in office, are typically appointed to several different committees. Some committees include access and engagement, campus infrastructure, safety and
security, student advancement, health and wellness and several more.
Senators introduce legislation, which is then reviewed by any committees deemed relevant to the topic of the bill. For a bill to be passed through the senate, it typically must be introduced and read at two separate sessions. At these sessions, the authors will introduce the bill and then open the floor up to questions, followed by a series of debate between
opponents and proponents of the legislation.
Senators also have the ability to introduce amendments to bills, which authors can either deem friendly or non-friendly. If found to be non-friendly, the amendment itself is debated and then voted on by the entire senate.
Once a bill is presented twice, it is put to a vote. If the bill passes, it is then up to the student body present to sign it or veto it. If it is vetoed, the senate can attempt to overturn the
quent cohorts of Torch members to continue building on the work of previous cohorts. This administration’s points to their top priorities as the further expansion of SGA outreach to the student body, creating a more cohesive community and supporting environment for all students and getting students to understand the power SGA has in shaping real change on their campus.
Front and center for Darwin, Blair and Campbell is listening to and serving every student, for the betterment of our entire campus and community.
veto through a vote.
However, just because a bill is passed by the senate and signed off on by the president does not mean it will go into effect. It is now up to the role of the SGA’s leaders and designated representatives to convince and collaborate with the university’s administration to incorporate some parts of or the entirety of the bill. Not every bill that passes will result in actual change from the university.
Members of the SGA executive board in 2025. From left to right: Campbell Butler, Chase Darwin, Ella Blair. Courtesy of SGA.
Center for Care and Resilience: Creating a pathway for students to ‘grow, learn, change’
SAMANTHA WHITLEY Staff Writer
The Center for Care and Resilience is one program that students might overlook, yet may be exactly what a student needs to succeed and find direction during times of stress.
As an incoming freshman, joining a new university requires absorbing a considerable amount of information quickly while adjusting to the new routine of college life. The last thing on one’s mind is which services provide accessible mental health support.
Without question, college students continue to experience a mental health crisis, with anxiety and depression reported as the most prevalent. Acknowledging this fact, the University of Tennessee is equipped with a range of resources to support its students more effectively.
“CCR’s team can provide ongoing support while also connecting students to more specialized services,” Andy Buckner, assistant director of crisis and intake at the CCR, said. “The team is very knowledgeable about mental health resources both on and off campus. CCR staff are also trained to listen — to hear students’ unique needs, help them identify and create goals, and make an action plan to achieve those goals.”
The CCR takes pride in its accessibility, as the program is offered at no cost to undergraduate and graduate students and is available year-round, including during the summer.
When to utilize CCR
Spotting the signs of someone experiencing distress can make all the difference in knowing when to get help. One of the most noticeable signs is underachievement in academic performance or a decline in class attendance.
A more obvious indication is someone who acts out of character, experiencing
The Center for Care and Resilience inside the Student Health Center.. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
sudden changes in mood, sleep and eating habits. More concerning shifts in behavior can include acts of violence, excessive drinking or use of drugs, or verbal or physical abuse and incoherent communication.
Students exposed to difficult external circumstances like a recent death in the family, sexual assault or huge financial losses may also consider seeking mental health attention through CCR.
Submitting referrals
Students can submit referrals for themselves or another student in need through two options: calling 865-974-HELP (4357) or completing an online form.
“Last year about 30% of students self-referred, and about 70% of students were referred by someone else,” Buckner said. “Anyone — staff, faculty, advisors, friends, acquaintances, family members — can make a CCR referral if they are concerned about a fellow Vol.”
Both options encourage personal iden-
SAMANTHA WHITLEY Staff Writer
tification information, such as your name, UT email, student ID number and phone number, so that CCR can connect the student with a care coordinator.
“The relationship between a student and a care coordinator is primary and essential, and care coordinators empower students to self-advocate and access resources on campus and in the community,” Buckner said.
Following a referral over the phone, students can expect a response within 24 hours. CCR will contact students within one business day who submit through the online form.
When referring another individual, CCR advises students to submit “concerning messages” — such as texts, emails or GroupMe messages — for review. Once CCR connects with the student, privacy laws follow, as the CCR may be limited in sharing further information.
“While CCR cannot guarantee anonymity, we treat all referrals with confidenti-
ality and discretion,” Buckner said. “Students who are referred to CCR have the choice to engage in services or not. Services can be discontinued at any time.”
Making appointments
The CCR hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If students reach out to CCR during regular hours by calling 974-HELP, a member of the CCR team will be in touch with them.
If students need further assistance after hours, they can dial 974-HELP, which is available 24/7 — with the distinction that a mental health professional will answer and direct you to your needs.
Students can also consider walk-in appointments, accessible on the second floor, Suite 288, of the Student Health Building. For immediate help, do not hesitate to call the suicide hotline at 988, 911 or UTPD 865- 974-3111.
campus. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
Mental health reporter highlight
As I begin this position as a mental health beat reporter, I am reminded of my first year at college — undoubtedly the most challenging year of my life. I lost myself and lacked hope that I would ever find my way back.
Yet, with the acknowledgment that I could not fight this battle alone, I reached out for help from different licensed professionals. With time, I began to see the world in a different light.
Those years gave me the strength and resilience that I didn’t know I had, allowing
me to blossom into the person I am today. If I had relived those moments, I would have reached out for guidance sooner and taken advantage of the opportunities that UT provides.
My understanding of mental health as a whole deepened from dealing with my mental disorders as well as witnessing loved ones face similar triumphs. I developed the ability to be intuitive, notice when others are struggling and the art of being a critical listener — one of the many vital skills of a well-rounded journalist.
From one fellow Vol to another, I hope my voice on mental health increases awareness and changes the perception of mental health — by reporting solutions and not just issues, sharing uplifting stories and statistics and ensuring that every student, staff member or employee knows that help is available. If you have a story to share or an aspect of mental health you want to read more about, please do not hesitate to reach out.
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Opinion: Unplugging this summer: My alternatives abroad
NATALIE DRIPCHAK Opinions Editor
As we get older, summer becomes more about working, interning and staying plugged in — however, this summer looked a little different for me.
I had the privilege of spending three weeks in Florence, Italy, for a study abroad program, and it is safe to say that it was the best decision I ever made. Having an internship is something most college students strive for to strengthen their chances of getting a good job after graduation, but studying abroad in a foreign country also has its pros.
I took a food and wine pairing course at the Florence University of the Arts, fully immersing myself in Italian culture. We had field trips during the course to various restaurants and wineries that helped with the transition into a different way of life. I found that there are numerous benefits to going abroad that can help students enhance their resumes in ways an internship cannot — for example, experiencing life in a different country with different customs and traditions.
Not only are there so many other amazing things about studying abroad, like traveling to different countries or doing adventurous excursions, but you can also keep your mind sharp with the one or two courses you take. Personally, I think that going abroad in the summer can be more beneficial than the school year because you are entirely able to relax and not have to worry about balancing your GPA, extracurriculars or social life. You get to be “unplugged” while also learning something new (and usually enjoyable), which is the best of both worlds.
Although many people travel abroad to experience new countries, I had a lot of fun learning about Florence and its winemaking history.
Visiting the Tuscan regions and their local wineries was truly an unforgettable experience. You would taste four to five wines paired with various cheeses, crackers and bread, along with a tour of the property. You were shown the rooms where the grapes are pressed and were able to learn about the intense process of wine-making. If I were to give one recommendation to someone traveling in Italy, visiting the Tuscan wine region would be my top pick. Being able to travel to a different country is an incredible experience and such a privilege, and it has
changed me as a person.
I am more appreciative of various things (especially air conditioning and ice) and can fully understand what it is like to live in a different country. Even though it was a great experience, there can be some setbacks at first. One thing I had to adjust to was eating dinner at 8 or 9 p.m., instead of 6 or 7, like most of us do in America. And because I tend to be anxious in unfamiliar places, I was discombobulated at first and took some time to adjust to my new surroundings. It can be frustrating with the language barrier and the different customs, but studying abroad is truly an unforgettable and unique experience that everyone should be able to partake in.
It’s easy to get caught up in the rush to secure summer internships and post on LinkedIn, and even I am guilty of this. Still, it is essential to remember that every experience is unique and beneficial in its own way.
Yes, having an internship and gathering more knowledge for your future career is important, but there are other things that companies look for. For instance, some jobs heavily rely on foreign markets and how products or messages are received in different countries. Having a study abroad program on your resume demonstrates your understanding of diverse cultures and their values, which can bring valuable insights to the table.
Another way to think of it is this: You have your whole life to work and build your career, but you will not always be young and able to travel, take classes in different countries and learn things you never would have learned otherwise. It also feels as though everyone is caught up in grades, resumes and jobs, which again, I am guilty of. It is essential to put things in perspective and to give yourself grace through a very stressful time in your life, and to pursue the things you have always wanted to do. In my case, this was studying abroad.
For those who are still undecided about studying abroad, UT’s fantastic study abroad center on campus can help you navigate the daunting questions and tasks. They offer a wide variety of programs across several countries, allowing you to choose something specific. They even have internship opportunities abroad, which is a great two-for-one option. Their website and Instagram also provide testimonials from UT students and their genuine opinions on studying abroad, and it really shows that every single person has truly loved the experience.
UT’s Programs Abroad, part of the Center for Global Engagement, is there to ease the anxieties many people have before going
abroad. It is such a helpful tool that the university provides for all of its students, and I highly recommend checking it out.
As I reflect on my summer ending, I remember one of my favorite trips during my stay in Italy, when I went to the Amalfi Coast. Words cannot describe how beautiful it was. The picturesque views are truly breathtaking and are something everyone should experience once in their life, but would you believe me if I said I missed Knoxville when I was there?
Italy was genuinely fantastic, but there is no place like the University of Tennessee. I am grateful for the experiences I had over the summer, but I am ecstatic to be back at school with my friends and to be back on campus, enjoying football games,
tailgates and all the other amazing things this school has to offer.
I thank Tennessee for providing me with that opportunity. Welcome back to school, and as always, go Vols!
Natalie Dripchak is a junior at UT studying advertising. She can be reached at ndripcha@vols.utk.edu.
Opinions Editor Natalie Dripchak poses with friends in Italy during her trip abroad. Courtesy of Natalie Dripchak
What to know before kickoff: Tennessee football settles into fall training camp
TREVOR MCGEE Sports Editor
Every season has a start point and an end point, but work is ongoing.
Tennessee football is in the midst of season preparation, and it’s deeply entrenched in fall training camp — the last stage of the offseason before game week opens up and the regular season gets underway. Early mornings at Neyland-Thompson Sports Center are where the playbook installation is taking place.
The roster features many new looks around the field. With Nico Iamaleava’s spring departure, it will be Joey Aguilar taking the reins, edging out Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre for the Job. Still, other positions need to be decided. Beyond that, it’s an extension of spring — a time for newcomers to settle in and for staff to focus on injury prevention and chemistry.
Here are some quick notes to know before Tennessee football begins its season in the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta on August 30.
Position battles
After a couple weeks of battling in fall camp, Aguilar did all things necessary to earn the starting gig. That solves one of the battles in loom.
“Joey, through the course of training camp, each and every day, continued to grow and take steps and understand what we’re doing,” head coach Josh Heupel said. “And comfort level, played well in the scrimmages, had good command. And that ultimately led to the decision that we made.”
Miles Kitselman is a solidified starter at tight end, but is recovering from an offseason surgery. Behind him, Ethan Davis, Cole Harrison, DaSaahn Brame and Jack Van Dorselaer form a strong group. The offensive line features just one returning starter in Lance Heard, while freshmen and transfers — including touted freshman David Sanders and transfers Sam Pendleton and Wendell Moe — are competing for the rest.
“You give them the opportunity to go win it, and you put it in their hands,” offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said. “If it’s not on tape, can’t go start, or you put it on tape, you get to go start.”
The receiver room is wide open, with just three returnees among seven total players. Chris Brazzell brings the most college experience, while Mike Matthews, Braylon Staley and Amari Jefferson are joined by three true freshmen.
DeSean Bishop has the upper hand in the backfield, but Peyton Lewis and Star Thomas form a three-headed dragon in the backfield. Whoever earns the opening-day start will just have the title, as a rotation is imminent. Defensively, rotations are the expectation
— especially with defensive line coach Rodney Garner. Tyre West, Bryson Eason, Jaxson Moi and Dom Bailey are the early contenders up front, while Josh Josephs and Caleb Herring are likely to lead off the edge.
The group is tasked with replacing firstround draft pick James Pearce Jr., who allowed the unit to finish in the top 40 of all major defensive categories in 2024.
“I think as a pack, I think we can get to the production we had last year,” outside linebackers coach Levorn Harbin said.
Linebackers Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander will be the top two backers, but Edwin Spillman’s hard-hitting identity will earn him a high snap count. Boo Carter is the recent story out of the secondary, but he returned to practice and is preparing for the season ahead. Colton Hood is shining in Jermod McCoy’s rehab absence, while Rickey Gibson is stepping into his starting role for the second straight year. It will then likely be Andre Turrentine and Edrees Farooq at safety to open.
Injury management
Physicality picks up during fall camp, and injuries are inevitable — but that makes management even more crucial.
McCoy’s return to the field is the one most are focused on, but there is no timetable for his return as a full participant. The star sophomore cornerback suffered a torn ACL in January while performing offseason workouts in his home state of Texas. That allowed
Tennessee to find Hood out of the transfer portal, leaving McCoy’s return a slow-played process.
He returned to practice on August 8 in a limited capacity and continues to work back.
“He’s done an elite job throughout his rehab, and there’s still more that he’s got to continue to do, but excited to get him back out with us,” Heupel said on August 9.
The rest of the roster is free of long-term complications, but minor injuries have left red no-contact jerseys littered around the practice field.
Kitselman has spent fall camp as a nocontact participant following his pectoral surgery in March. Additionally, Matthews, Staley and Brazzell have spent various times on the sidelines and in non-contact jerseys while nursing injuries.
William Satterwhite also missed a practice, while Josephs has strung together a couple of misses.
While statuses are not fully certain, it’s unlikely that anyone has suffered major inhibiting injuries. For players like Josephs, it is not a concern that he has missed practice with a secure job and multiple years in the system.
New faces on staff
It is the first fall camp at Tennessee for many, including a pair of staff members taking over a position group for the first time.
Evan Crabtree was the first promotion, taking over the special teams coordinator
position after Mike Ekeler headed back to his home state for a job at Nebraska. Crabtree has been on Tennessee’s staff since 2022 in an analyst role.
Now, he’s tasked with a unit that has ranked near the top in the conference in multiple categories, including punt return average and touchback percentage.
“I think I’ve been given every opportunity behind the scenes to show what I can do,” Crabtree said during his introductory presser in April. “I think I’ve been around great people in this building that have molded me to be the coach that coach Heupel wants in this building.”
“Chop” Harbin is the other new face, taking over the outside linebackers group. Coach Chop is another internal promotion, but his off-field success merited a raise. Harbin has been considered one of Tennessee’s top recruiters since arriving in 2022. The Vols valued that aspect of his archetype, while he also served as a key counterpart to Garner during his years as an analyst.
But now it’s time to prepare for the season, and Harbin is well-versed in the composition.
“It’s been great,” Harbin said of fall camp. “Been a lot of energy, glad to be out on the field. Always good to smell that fresh grass. The kids have been really working hard, buying into our system.”
Tennessee still has time to practice before it officially kicks off the season in MercedesBenz Stadium against Syracuse.
Tennessee quarterbacks Joey Aguilar (6) and Mason Phillips (13) walking across the field at Neyland-Thompson Sports Center during fall camp. Tuesday, August 5, 2025. David Smith / The Daily Beacon
‘T-Credit’ roundup: Games to watch in Tennessee athletics as fall sports get underway
ALEX SARKIS Assistant Sports Editor
Tennessee Lady Volunteers face North Carolina in a soccer match. Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.
Miles Lineberger / Contributor
As campus begins to bustle again with the return of the new school year, several of Tennessee’s fall sports are already underway with new campaigns.
Beginning prior to last year’s fall slate,
Tennessee Athletics introduced “T-Credits,” a points system designed to reward students who attend the largest number of sporting events throughout the season. These credits count most toward increasing the likelihood of attaining football tickets, aside from various other prizes the program offers.
After a successful year that saw new attendance records for sports like Tennessee volleyball, “T-Credits” will make a return in 2025.
Here are some events to look for as the rhythm of the fall sports season kicks into gear.
Aug. 20: Soccer at UCLA
The third match of the season sends the Lady Vols way out west for a battle with UCLA.
Last season’s bout at Regal Soccer Stadium ended in a stalemate, a scoreless draw where Tennessee tallied only six shots on goal. The Lady Vols hope to flip that script this go around, albeit away from home against the reigning Big Ten champion Bruins.
Aug. 23: Soccer at LMU
The Lady Vols will hang around Los Angeles for their first-ever meeting with Loyola Marymount.
The Lions placed fifth in the West Coast Conference standings in 2024, a campaign that featured a defeat of No. 13 Pepperdine. Tennes-
While you were away: Recap of everything
ALEX SARKIS
Assistant Sports Editor
Baseball dominates MLB Draft
As the baseball world gathered in Atlanta for MLB All-Star Week, the Vols stole the show on opening night of draft festivities.
Tennessee set a new program record with four first-round selections, headlined by the ace of the pitching staff, Liam Doyle. The St. Louis Cardinals pulled the trigger on the 2024 SEC Pitcher of the Year with their fifth overall selection, making the southpaw the highest pick of head coach Tony Vitello’s eight-year tenure with the Vols.
The San Francisco Giants came calling for middle infielder Gavin Kilen with the 13th pick, while a fellow National League club in the Milwaukee Brewers selected Andrew Fischer at 20. The duo drove the Vols’ offensive attack all season long, Fischer pacing the SEC with 25 home runs. Kilen led the team with a .357 batting average.
Big right-hander Marcus Phillips rounded out the opening round, joining the Boston Red Sox at pick 33. Stolen bases plagued Phillips in the early portions of conference play, but a mid-season adjustment allowed him to greatly improve his control of the running game. His draft stock promptly reflected the big change. Five more Vols heard their names called as
see won’t have any hesitancy to empty the tank in this one as eight days separate the Lady Vols from their next contest following this match.
Aug. 23: Volleyball at Dayton Tennessee volleyball returns to the court for its season opener with Dayton, fresh off a fourth consecutive run to the NCAA Tournament.
Head coach Eve Rackham Watt’s group looks to be poised for an even bigger year in 2025, welcoming back star setter Caroline Kerr for her redshirt junior season, along with some new faces. A stacked SEC field awaits, though, and Tennessee will have to show more than it did a year ago if it wants to find itself atop the standings come postseason.
Aug. 26: Volleyball Orange & White Scrimmage
One of the first home events of the semester gives students and fans a chance to see Rackham Watt’s squad open up a new-look Food City Center.
A new overhead video board will showcase the proceedings of the Orange & White Scrimmage as new Lady Vols will try to get acclimated to the backdrops of the big arena, an underrated element of the game that sometimes needs to be dialed in for younger players.
Aug. 29: Volleyball vs. USF – 1 “T-Credit” opportunity
This time, it’s for real as the Lady Vols host USF in their home opener.
Last year’s home debut against eventual national champion Penn State set a new program attendance record of 6,193 fans, a number that nearly doubled the previous mark from a match with Kentucky in 2021.
Students who attend this bout with the Bulls can earn one “T-Credit” by checking in via the Tennessee Athletics app once inside the arena.
Aug. 30: Football vs. Syracuse in Atlanta
Even though Neyland Stadium will sit dormant for another week, the action of the first week of the college football season will no doubt be in full swing when Tennessee and Syracuse kick things off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Vols will finally have the chance to get down to football, plain and simple, after a long offseason marred by drama and off-the-field storylines. The numerous questions surrounding Tennessee’s quarterback situation will all have to be answered, and whoever is calling the signals will need to be ready for the Orange defense.
Tennessee athletics from summer months
the draft progressed, bringing the Tennessee total to nine selections from big league teams, just one shy of the program record.
Lance Simpson participates in U.S. Open
After leading Tennessee golf to an NCAA Championship appearance for the secondstraight season, star redshirt senior Lance Simpson earned a spot in one of the sport’s most prestigious events.
The Knoxville native qualified for the 125th U.S. Open after shooting an impressive 8-under-par on golf’s longest day, a 36-hole gauntlet that awards just seven players an opportunity to take part in the most difficult major on the calendar.
Playing alongside top talents, Simpson took to the famous grounds of Oakmont Country Club, a course that quickly drew attention for some of the toughest conditions ever seen in Open history. The Farragut High School graduate produced a first-round score of 74, followed by a second-round mark of 78. His efforts weren’t enough to keep him alive into the weekend as he fell below the cut line.
Even still, Simpson ended his outing placing higher than former tournament champion Justin Rose. Five other former winners also missed the cut on a weekend that required each player’s absolute best.
Football announces new alternate uniform
Continuing a yearly theme begun in 2022, Tennessee and Nike announced the latest installment in the Smokey Grey uniform series.
This year’s rendition focuses on encapsulating the “Volunteer Spirit” of the U.S. Armed Forces, a nod to those who have served their country. A tribute to former military man and Tennessee native Davy Crockett also served as inspiration for the uniform.
“The Davy Stripe,” a grey accent found on the helmet and jersey sleeves, is meant to repli-
cate Crockett’s uniform during the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. The contrasting shades of grey between the jersey and pants act as a reference to the steel that makes up military weaponry.
The orange numbers on the front and back of the jersey emulate the common stencil font found in military operations. Finally, a small patch found on the pants brings back the popular “Star Vols” vintage logo.
Tennessee will break out the new threads when it hosts New Mexico State in the Salute to Service game on Nov. 15.
Gavin Kilen (6) and Andrew Fischer (11) celebrate after a home run during the game against Kentucky in Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Friday, April 18, 2025. Jayden Randolph / The Daily Beacon
