Tennessee Board of Regents

The meeting focused on an update for the ERP Modernization Project and a preview of FY27 tuition and fee recommendations. Several policy revisions were reviewed concerning tuition, fees, parking, purchasing, procurement cards, and gift cards, alongside a new policy for out-of-state tuition. Additional academic and student life discussions included a new policy for accommodations for pregnant students and the establishment of a new A.A.S. program in Neurodiagnostic Technology. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to policy updates based on recent legislative changes, specifically covering faculty disciplinary actions, academic tenure, definition of faculty, contested case procedures, institutional neutrality, and freedom of speech and expression.

The meeting agenda included reviewing and potentially approving minutes from the December 9, 2025 Quarterly Board Meeting, and the Audit Committee meeting of February 18, 2026. Key discussion topics for new business included informational reporting on the TN Direct Admissions Update, the launch and update of TBR CRED and high impact practice work, a Legislative Update, and the FY 2024-2025 Financial Report. Action items for new business involved revisions to TBR policies regarding Family, Medical, and Service Member Leave (Policy 5.01.01.14), Motor Vehicles (Policy 4.03.02.00), and Emergency Management Planning (Policy 4.01.05.70). Additionally, actions included nominations for Faculty Emeriti status and a building naming request for the shared Dickson Center of Higher Education Building at Nashville State Community College and TCAT Dickson.

The quarterly board meeting commenced with the call to order. A key initial action was the ceremonial signing of a statewide articulation agreement in nursing with Belmont University, establishing a seamless pathway for associate degree graduates from all 13 community colleges to pursue bachelor's degrees in nursing. The board also welcomed Commissioner Andy Holt as the newest board member. Business included the approval of minutes from the September 19 quarterly meeting and the chancellor's interim action report. The Personnel and Compensation Committee report involved the approval of institutional compensation proposals, requiring a roll call vote. The Audit Committee reported on several items, including review of finding and recommendation logs, external and internal audit reports, and approval of the audit committee's report. The board recognized Erlanger for receiving the Regent Award for Excellence in Philanthropy, noting their extensive financial support and clinical partnership with Chattanooga State Community College. The chancellor provided an update on the launch of TBR CRED, a new digital comprehensive credential record system for community and technical colleges, and highlighted progress in correctional education, noting that the Tennessee Prison College Coalition was recognized as a national model and that new self-paced online training via tablets is being launched.

This strategic plan, spanning from 2015 to 2025, is developed by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and is centered on Tennessee's goal of achieving 55% adult postsecondary credential attainment by 2025. It outlines a commitment to student success and workforce development through three key policy pillars and four cross-cutting themes: Strengthening Collaboration, Harnessing Innovation, Enhancing Institutional and Operational Capacity, and Fulfilling Equity. The plan serves as a framework for TBR's mission and guides its colleges in developing institution-specific strategic plans to address student, workforce, and community needs.

The Tennessee Board of Regents convened to discuss several key topics. The board ratified the Interim Action Report and addressed committee reports from Academic Policies and Programs and Student Life, External Affairs, Workforce Development, Audit, Finance and Business Operations, and Personnel and Compensation. Discussions included the TBR Strategic Plan, Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) Athletics, legislative priorities for the 2026 session, community college workforce hours, audit findings, and the legislative priorities budget request. The board also reviewed faculty emeritus requests, executive incentive compensation plan payments, and the Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy. Updates were provided on capital projects, artificial intelligence (AI) utilization, the Seamless Alignment & Integrated Learning Support (SAILS) Program, the TBR General Education Core, and correctional education initiatives. Additionally, the board considered revisions to TBR policies and bylaws, proposed meeting dates for 2026, and resolutions of appreciation for Commissioner Charlie Hatcher and Regent Danni Varlan.