KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- University of Tennessee officials say they are making progress on a plan to save the audiology and speech pathology program in Knoxville, and also save money.

Officials had proposed eliminating the program -- and two others -- along with its popular clinic in East Tennessee in order to trim $11 million from the UT-Knoxville budget. Then they discovered the campus is committed to providing the clinic through 2057.

UT-Knoxville Interim Chancellor Jan Simek said Tuesday officials are working on a solution that would end the speech department's ties to the College of Arts and Sciences -- thus saving money -- but continue to operate it under a new business plan. Details are to come in September.

Simek says UT is committed to keeping the clinic open and in Knoxville.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)