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
Legislation Requiring Efficiency Audits for Public Higher Education Institutions Passes in Senate; Will Be Heard in House Committee Next Week
Legislation that would initiate a process for “efficiency audits” to be performed on public higher education institutions was passed in the Senate Education Committee unanimously this week with no opportunity for stakeholder testimony. The legislation will be heard next week in the House Education Administration & Planning Committee. It is sponsored by Senate Education Chair … Continued
House and Senate Pass UT Board of Trustees Legislation; But Versions of Bill Vary
The UT FOCUS Act, which would reconstitute and restructure the UT Board of Trustees passed this week on both the Senate and House floors with differing versions of the bill, with the Senate voting 27-3 and the House voting 51-41. The Haslam Administration proposed the measure in an effort to help the UT Board of Trustees operate … Continued
Education Committees Begin to Close, Shifting Focus to Finance
Several legislative committees finished their business this week, including the Senate Education Committee, House Education Administration and Planning Subcommittee, and House Education Instruction and Programs Subcommittee. Procedurally, the committees may reopen prior to the end of session if the House or Senate rules are suspended to advance legislation that had not previously been calendared. The … Continued