"Tennessee State University Board Overhaul Sparks Outcry from HBCU Community"

Tennessee lawmakers, led by Gov. Bill Lee, have signed into law a bill that dismantles the board of trustees at historically Black Tennessee State University, sparking outrage among students, alumni, and lawmakers. The move follows concerns raised in audit reports about financial mismanagement, housing, and scholarships. Critics argue that the decision leaves the university vulnerable and disrupts its governance, especially as the search for a new president is underway. Additionally, the funding disparity between historically Black land-grant institutions and predominantly white universities has come under scrutiny, with Tennessee State University owed $544 million in land-grant funding over five decades.