Black lawmakers, students, and alumni of Tennessee State University expressed outrage over Gov. Bill Lee signing legislation that dismantled the historically Black college’s board of trustees. Calls for a new board began in 2023 after audit reports raised concerns about financial mismanagement. Initially, a bill was proposed that would replace three board members, but it was later amended to remove all of them. The new forensic audit released did not find evidence of fraud but pointed to deficient processes. The Republican-controlled Tennessee House voted in favor of dismantling the board, and Lee quickly signed the bill into law.
Amidst these changes, TSU President Glenda Glover is set to step down in June, and a search is underway for her replacement. Democratic Rep. Harold Love, a TSU alum, expressed concerns about the impact of vacating the entire board and the uncertainty it brings to the school, especially when the president is leaving. Students at Tennessee State are also in uproar, feeling that the changes are too drastic and vulnerable to more issues. Many students protested at the state Capitol, indicating that their voices were not considered before the law was passed.
House Majority Leader William Lamberth tried to downplay the significance of the new law, emphasizing that it was mainly about switching out board members to ensure TSU’s success. However, critics pointed out that the state Assembly did not address the long-standing underfunding issue at TSU, amounting to $2.1 billion over the years. The audit showed that the university was owed $544 million in land-grant funding over five decades, with $250 million allocated in April 2022. The disparity in funding between white and historically Black land-grant institutions was highlighted by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack in a letter to Lee.
The unprecedented move to dismantle TSU’s board of trustees has raised concerns about the disruption of students’ education, harm to the university’s image, and the removal of a board that had seen success in its governance. The university defended its use of taxpayer dollars and expressed disappointment over the legislation. Black land-grant universities across the country have faced significant funding disparities, with TSU and North Carolina A&T in Greensboro experiencing some of the worst cases. The impact of these funding disparities on historically Black institutions like TSU has been a long-standing issue that needs to be addressed to ensure equitable resources for all institutions.
Moving forward, the search for a new TSU president and the implementation of the new board bring uncertainty to the university’s future. The overwhelming reaction from students, alumni, and lawmakers reflects the deep-rooted concerns about the legislative changes and the potential consequences for TSU. As discussions continue around addressing the underfunding issue and the governance structure at TSU, it remains to be seen how these developments will shape the trajectory of the university and its ability to fulfill its mission as a historically Black institution.
