| President Randy Boyd represented the UT System at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) budget hearing this week. At the hearing, THEC presented its higher education funding recommendations to Governor Bill Lee for his consideration to include in the FY 26-27 state budget.
The Commission’s proposed spending plan notably includes:
- $73.8M to fully fund the higher education outcomes-based formula;
- $12M to expand the Tennessee Student Assistance Award; and
- $5M to help higher education institutions address statutorily mandated unfunded tuition and fee discount programs.
THEC also recommended that the state fund UT’s top three capital projects, a major priority for the University, as modern, high-quality facilities are essential to student success, faculty recruitment, and competitiveness among peer institutions. The three UT projects on THEC’s priority list are:
- UT’s top legislative priority, a new UT Health Science Center College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building;
- A new Student Health and Wellness Clinic at UT Martin; and
- A Cattle Outreach and Workforce (COW) Facility at UT Martin.
THEC also recommended funding to establish the UTIA Center for Agricultural Innovation, which would focus on leveraging precision agriculture research and technology in Tennessee for more profitable, efficient farming.
THEC’s higher education budget hearing marks a crucial first step in the state budget process since Gov. Lee will consider these priorities for his budget proposal. The governor’s budget proposal is generally released following the State of the State Address, likely in late January or early February. UT Advocates can watch the budget hearing from this week on the governor’s website. |
