Student J.T. Taylor, center, expresses her disappointment to Vice Chancellor Rickey Hall about Chancellor Jimmy Cheek’s absence from an UT Diversity Matters coalition meeting Friday at the University of Tennessee. The meeting was in response to the ongoing diversity issues on campus. (CAITIE MCMEKIN/NEWS SENTINEL)

SHARE UT students march to Chancellor Jimmy Cheek’s office in response to his absence from the UT Diversity Matters meeting in Thompson-Boling Arena on Friday at the University of Tennessee. (CAITIE MCMEKIN/NEWS SENTINEL) Student Mandy Pitts holds a hat at the sit-in on the fifth floor of Andy Holt Tower at the University of Tennessee on Friday. The sit-in was in response to the absence of Chancellor Jimmy Cheek at the UT Diversity Matters coalition’s meeting to discuss recent diversity issues on campus, one of those being the use of gender-neutral pronouns. (CAITIE MCMEKIN/NEWS SENTINEL) Vice Chancellor Rickey Hall, center, with Vice Chancellor Vincent Carilli, right, announces to UT Diversity Matters students that Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, along with other administrators, will not be attending the meeting to discuss University of Tennessee diversity issues on Friday in the Thompson-Boling Arena dining area. The meeting is in response to the ongoing diversity issues on campus. (CAITIE MCMEKIN/NEWS SENTINEL)

By MJ Slaby of the Knoxville News Sentinel

A meeting between the University of Tennessee Diversity Matters coalition and UT administrators didn't happen as scheduled on Friday.

Administrators called it a scheduling mishap, but that didn't ease frustrations.

"We've been preparing for days, for weeks for this meeting," said senior Elizabeth Stanfield, who was planning to lead a teach-in for the students gathered outside the meeting. "Even if it is a mix-up, my time was wasted."

PDF: UT Diversity Matters

The meeting between a group of about 25 students, five of them as designated speakers, and Chancellor Jimmy Cheek and other administrators at Thompson-Boling Arena was to be a response to the continuing controversy about diversity at UT. Since the spring semester started, campus groups have continued to meet about improving diversity, and state legislators have filed a bill to defund the UT Office of Diversity and Inclusion. A group of students, largely from student government, will hold an annual meeting with lawmakers on Monday.

Coalition members planned to present a five-page list of demands that included reinstating a post on the office's website about gender-neutral pronouns, returning sole oversight of the website to Vice Chancellor Rickey Hall, campus-wide training, added accessibility for the disabled and more.

Stanfield said Friday's meeting was a chance for dialogue and to establish a timeline for plans. The meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday.

When Hall and Vice Chancellor Vince Carilli arrived to the meeting late, they told students that Cheek and others were waiting in another location. Upset that Cheek didn't show up, students decided to go to his office.

When they arrived, Carilli and Hall told the students the chancellor thought Hall told the students about the venue change, but Hall said he didn't realize the students weren't told.

"I'm going to own that one," he said. "I know it doesn't feel good right now."

Hall insisted Cheek wanted to meet with students, but the students expressed their doubts and asked to hear from Cheek. They left their demands as "homework" for the chancellor.

Kristen Godfrey, a graduate student and member of the coalition, said she was frustrated but not surprised. She said students know Hall will listen, but wanted the meeting to include Cheek.

"They have to work together," she said.

UT Diversity Matters is asking for feedback and support. Learn more at the UT Diversity Matters Facebook page or by emailing, utdivmatters@gmail.com.