Dive Brief:
- Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John G. Morgan is retiring early over Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan to create independent governing boards at the six universities in the TBR system and let the board focus on community and technical colleges, but there is significant support among state legislators and educators.
- Inside Higher Ed reports that many of the presidents of these universities expect the new structure will benefit their institutions, giving them a governing board with a single focus, rather than one that oversees six universities, 27 technical colleges, and 13 community colleges.
- Concerns include the possibility that the lack of central authority will hurt progress toward statewide goals, collaboration will be replaced with competition, and adding six governing boards in the state will make it hard to appoint qualified members.
Dive Insight:
John Morgan, soon-to-be former chancellor of the Tennessee board of Regents, wrote a scathing review of the governor’s plan to restructure governance in his letter of resignation. He will step down Jan. 31 to avoid implementing something he does not agree is best for the state. The plan in Tennessee is meant to give the statewide board more space to focus on the community and technical colleges, especially given the Tennessee Promise program is bringing more students to them.
The concept of independent governing boards for individual public universities is gaining traction across the country. The University of Oregon, Portland State University, and Oregon State University all have their own governing boards now. The University of Wisconsin at Madison has worked toward the same end, though unsuccessfully so far.