What many consider to be Governor Haslam's cornerstone legislation for his "Drive to 55" initiative was looked at through skeptical eyes by administrators at Tennessee State University.
"The Board of Regents I thought was functioning fine and I like the setup we have, but you know I'm not opposed to change," said Tennessee State University President Dr. Glenda Glover.
The FOCUS Act will separate TSU and five other state universities from the Board of Regents. Now they'll be required to create their own, local boards. However, that isn't the issue according to Glover.
"The biggest challenge we see now is the role that UT will play. It has not been addressed in the Legislation," she said.
Under the FOCUS Act the University of Tennessee's four universities will remain together under their own board. Glover fears it will leave TSU fighting for recourses. "My role is to ensure that TSU does not come out on the short end of the stick," Glover said.
Then, there's the cost. Under the Board of Regents TSU spent half a million dollars. To create their own board the university expects to spend $2 million.
"Legal work, some of the finance and audit work, a lot will come in house now," Glover explained. "If you net that out we're looking at a million and a half a year in additional funds."
However, the university wants to make the FOCUS Act work. An external transition committee was formed to help implement the bill. "We need the thought leadership of a number of individuals who can help us put this strategy together," said Glover.
As far as budgeting goes, "we just have to find a way to cut costs and make it work."
To view a full list of the 16 member external transition committee visit: www.tnstate.edu/president/focus
