Tennessee Replaces Tennessee State University Board, Draws Backlash Over Targeting Historically Black School
• Tennessee politicians removed trustees of Tennessee State University, the state's only publicly funded historically Black university. The move angered Black lawmakers who say it unfairly targets the school.
• Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed the legislation to vacate TSU's board and appointed 10 new members to replace them, subject to confirmation.
• Republicans argue the move addresses issues like student housing shortages found in state audits, though the audits did not find evidence of fraud.
• Democrats allege the state has chronically underfunded TSU by billions and doesn't trust a Black-controlled school to manage itself.
• The vote prompted outrage from TSU supporters, with critics saying lawmakers are punishing the school instead of rectifying past racist policies that contributed to its challenges.