UT employees have submitted about 800 cost-savings ideas to the president's office through UTalk since the Committee on Effectiveness and Efficiency for the Future started last fall. Campuses have received additional feedback from their employees.
One of the most popular suggestions was to increase the number of paperless documents, notices and newsletters by either sending them through e-mail or posting on Web sites.
As a result, the system and campuses have started several paperless initiatives. We're not only saving money from printing but also helping the environment.
For example, system-wide payroll is going paperless this summer. Starting in August, employees will no longer receive paper pay statements; they will only be available online. Employees will receive e-mails notifying them their pay statement is ready for viewing. This payroll initiative will save $153,000 a year.
The Institute for Public Service has made some of its publications paperless including an online version of their employee newsletter, saving about $7,000 and about 19,200 sheets of paper a year.
Each campus has cut down on printed publications, invitations and other forms.
To view a list of initiatives underway, go to http://bot.tennessee.edu/docs/EEF_Meeting_060109.pdf. Then click on Tab 4.
