The controversy surrounding Tennessee State University (TSU) began in 2023 when multiple audit reports raised concerns about the mishandling of finances, housing, and scholarships. Calls for a new board of trustees were made, leading to the passage of a bill that initially aimed to replace three board members but was later amended to remove the entire board. The Republican-controlled Tennessee House voted in favor of the bill, which was quickly signed into law by Governor Bill Lee. The decision to dismantle the board has sparked outrage among Black lawmakers, students, and alumni of TSU.
The new law signed by Governor Lee appoints a new board of trustees, all of whom are Black and distinguished members of the Nashville business and political community. While some believe this change will bring positive reforms to TSU, others are concerned about the impact it will have on the administration, students, and the direction of the school. There are worries that the dramatic changes made to the board will leave the school vulnerable to more issues, potentially disrupting students’ educational pursuits and harming the university’s image.
Many students at Tennessee State University have voiced their opposition to the new law, stating that their opinions were not considered before its passage. Some students protested at the state Capitol in Nashville with a banner that read “TSU Take Over.” House Majority Leader William Lamberth attempted to downplay the significance of the law, stating that it was just a change in board members meant to make TSU successful. However, critics argue that the legislative decision did not take into account the long history of underfunding for TSU, which has amounted to $2.1 billion over the years.
The audit released in conjunction with the dismantling of the board revealed that TSU was owed $544 million in land-grant funding over five decades, with $250 million allocated in April 2022. This underscores the financial struggles faced by historically Black land-grant institutions, as demonstrated by data analyzed by The Washington Post. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack previously highlighted a significant financial gap in funding between white land-grant universities like the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and historically Black land-grant institutions like TSU.
The decision to remove the entire board of trustees has been described as unprecedented and unfortunate for a public university in Tennessee. Both Governor Lee and TSU President Glenda Glover have not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter. The legislative action is viewed as potentially harmful to TSU’s governance and operations, as well as its reputation. The university has defended its use of taxpayer dollars and emphasized the disruptions that the new legislation may cause to students’ educational experiences. Overall, the controversy surrounding TSU highlights broader issues of funding disparities for historically Black universities compared to predominantly white institutions nationwide.
