Omnibus Student Due Process Legislation Heads to House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
Legislation sponsored by Rep. John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge) and Sen. Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) dealing with student due process rights will be heard in the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee next week. The measure stems from a Student Due Process Task Force appointed by Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) in 2016, and represents positive change for both students … Continued
UT FOCUS Act Passes; Appointments, Confirmation Hearings Expected
The UT FOCUS Act, which would reconstitute and restructure the UT Board of Trustees, was approved by the Senate this week when they concurred with the House version of the bill on a 22-8 vote. The approval sends the measure to the Governor’s desk for his signature, its final stop before becoming state law. The Haslam Administration … Continued
Efficiency Audit Legislation Advances to Finance, Government Operations Committees
Legislation that would initiate a process for “efficiency audits” to be performed on public higher education institutions advanced this week, as amended, in the House Education Administration and Planning Committee with a 7-5 vote. The legislation is expected to be heard in the House Government Operations Committee next week before heading to the respective Finance … Continued
Bill Requiring Public Posting of All Course Readings, Assignments Amended in Committee
HB2230/SB2180 was significantly amended in both the House and Senate this week to address the concerns of the University of Tennessee and other higher education stakeholders. The bill in its original form required public colleges and universities to post to their websites standardized information about each course and course section offered each semester, including every … Continued
Legislation Prohibiting Mandatory Meal Plans Dies in House Subcommittee
Legislation prohibiting public institutions of higher education from requiring students to purchase meal plans died this week in the House Education Administration and Planning Subcommittee. The financial impact of the bill, which will likely be studied over the summer, would have been in the millions of dollars for Tennessee’s public universities, many of whom use … Continued