The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) is composed of eighteen members: twelve lay citizens appointed for six-year terms by the governor (subject to confirmation by the state senate) from each of the nine congressional districts and three grand divisions of the state (West, Central, East); one faculty member and one student, each appointed for a one-year term by the governor from among the system institutions; and four ex officio members—the governor, the commissioner of education, the commissioner of agriculture, and the executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
A primary responsibility of the Tennessee Board of Regents is to preserve the unique qualities, integrity, and regional and community relationships of each of the institutions. [1] To minimize the influence that any political, religious, or other external body can place on the members, the Board must include:
- One public member appointed from each of the nine congressional districts in which he or she is domiciled;
- Three at-large members appointed from different geographical areas of the state;
- Each of the two leading political parties represented by at least three appointed members;
- At least four appointed members who are alumni of the institutions governed by the Board, but not more than two members to be alumni of the same institution;
- At least one member under 30 years of age;
- At least one member 60 years of age or older; and
- At least one member of a racial minority.
In addition, all Board members are required to provide full financial disclosure. [2] All Board meetings are open and public notice is furnished to the news media. [3] Minutes are published of all committee and sub-committee meetings. [4] Board policies include a Code of Ethics to ensure public trust. [5]
The Board’s academic freedom and responsibility policy is applicable to all universities and community colleges within the TBR system. [6] The UofM policy on academic freedom provides further support to these important principles. [7]
3.2.1
