NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - BREAKING UPDATE: Gov. Bill Lee has signed a bill into law that vacates the Tennessee State University’s Board of Trustees.
Shortly after signing the bill, Lee announced the appointment of eight new board members, all of whom are TSU alumni.
“Tennessee State University is a remarkable institution and my administration, in partnership with the General Assembly, is committed to ensuring students are being served,” said Gov. Lee. “I’m pleased to appoint these highly qualified individuals who will work alongside administrators and students to further secure TSU’s place as a leading institution.”
He’s appointed the following people to the board:
EARLIER: The Tennessee State University’s Board of Trustees is now one step closer to being vacated.
Thursday morning, the House just passed a bill that would vacate the school’s entire board. It’s the same bill that was passed by the Senate.
Originally, the House was set to vote on a compromise deal that would only vacate three members of the board, but that was scrapped Thursday morning. Now, the bill will head to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk, allowing him to appoint all 10 members of the new board.
Students from TSU protested the bill and leaders have said that vacating the board undermines the school at a critical point.
TSU released the following statement:
“This is unprecedented, unfortunate, and uncharted waters for any public university in the state. We believe this legislation will disrupt our students’ educational pursuits, harm the image of the University, and remove a Board that had achieved success in its enhanced governance of TSU.
In passing today’s legislation, some lawmakers suggested the action was necessary due to audit findings and the forensic report released today by the State Comptroller’s Office. There have not been any audit findings that TSU mismanaged funds. The university has made significant improvements to its business operations from two years ago, which were not addressed in the just-released FY 2022 audit. Additionally, today’s forensic audit report clearly states that TSU had not engaged in any fraud or malfeasance. TSU has been a good steward of taxpayer dollars.
State lawmakers also have made very little mention of the chronic underfunding that TSU has experienced over generations. Confirmed totals are $544 million according to state officials, in which $250 million was allocated in April 2022; and $2.1 billion according to a recent federal report. TSU would undoubtedly be in a different position today if it had received the funds promised by the state over the course of the last three decades.
While we are very disappointed by today’s vote, we will continue to work with the General Assembly and the Governor’s office to pursue options, both in funding and governance, that allow TSU to continue the momentum it has achieved in enrollment, research, academics, and providing great opportunities for students.”
After over an hour of debate with democrats trying to stop the bill with the new amendment from passing, the bill passed.
— Marissa Sulek (@marissa_sulek) March 28, 2024
It now heads to the Governors desk. @WSMV
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