True Or False? Is The State Attempting To TAKE OVER Tennessee State University? | Roland Martin

is a buzz about Tennessee State University and if the state is about to take over the school.

Word circulating on social media claims a vote is happening this week to remove TSU's Board of Trustees and place it under Tennessee's Board of Regents.

State Representative Harold Love, Jr. posted this letter rejecting there will be a vote happening this week.

"Good morning, TSU Family.

I am writing to you in response to several communications I have received over the last week.

1. The $250 million dollars for building repairs and construction that was put in the budget

Jan 2022 was made available to TSU on July 1, 2022, when the new fiscal year started: An additional $92 million was approved before July 1, 2022, for 2 new buildings ($60 million for engineering and $32 million for agriculture).

2. The State of Tennessee is not trying to make TSU a community college by placing the

administration under TBR: TSU, along with the other state universities, was under TBR,

before the FOCUS ACT of 2016. For the last 7 years, TSU has still utilized TBR to assist with the university's construction projects.

3. The State of Tennessee is not trying to take over TSU: After the passage of the FOCUS

ACT, the Governor made appointments to the Board of Trustees that had to be confirmed by the state legislature. Each year, there may be members who roll off. TSU currently has two members who are up for reappointment or replacement.

4. The Government Operations Committee is not treating TSU any differently from other

Higher Education Institutions: Every public university (including the University in

Tennessee) must appear before the Government Operations Committee after its audit to have its Board renewed. Based on previous audit findings, TSU's Board was renewed for two years. The two years are coming to an end, and, by law, the Government Operations Committee must act to make a recommendation based on current audit findings. This is not a special hearing.

5. There will not be a vote on February 23 to place TSU under TBR: The Senate Ad Hoc

Committee had questions about the current leadership's ability to effectively lead the

university. The Comptroller's office interviewed students, faculty, and staff to gain a better

understanding of complaints they received from parents and students. The committee will

review the report at this hearing. I encourage you to attend the Senate Ad Hoc Education

Committee to hear the report of the Comptroller of the Treasury and the Government

Operations Committee to hear updates on the audit report for TSU.

As a 3rd generation TSU graduate, I have been committed to doing everything that is in the best interest of TSU. I want to make sure all who love the university understand the facts and are properly equipped to advocate for our beloved university. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

In Service, Harold M. Love, Jr."

Tennessee State Representative Harold Love, Jr. spoke with Roland Martin about why he wrote this letter.J

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