Governor’s FOCUS Act Clears House Education Committee
HB 2578, known as the Focus on College and University Success (FOCUS) Act, was passed out of House Education Administration and Planning Committee on Tuesday. The bill, the next step in Governor Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative and sponsored in the House by Rep. Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga), would call for the six four-year universities currently … Continued
House Members Take Bill Off Notice Requiring Public Hearings on Petitions Over 5,000 Signatures at State Colleges and Universities
House Education Administration and Planning Subcommittee members took a bill off notice this week that required state colleges and universities to host a public meeting with opportunities for public comment on all petitions created by students, alumni, faculty, or staff receiving more than 5,000 signatures.
Governor Haslam Announces Restructuring of TN Higher Education
Under the proposed plan, the six TBR universities will receive their own local governing boards. The impact of the proposed plan appears to be minimal to the University of Tennessee System.
Haslam Announces Next Step in Drive to 55
In an effort to advance the Drive to 55, the plan includes strategies to provide more focused support for community and technical colleges, increase autonomy and local control for Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) universities and strengthen the role of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC).
Second Round of Senate Higher Education Oversight Subcommittee Hearings Announced for December
The December hearings are expected to focus on how Tennessee’s three major higher education entities interact, how board and commission members are selected, and duties of those board members.