Interim TSU president outlines five‑year financial plan, asks commission to reappropriate deferred‑maintenance funds

Interim President Clifford Tucker told the Tennessee State University Board of Trustees that he has prioritized transparency, stakeholder outreach and a five‑year financial plan presented to the State Building Commission as the university moves from triage to stabilization.

Tucker said a bipartisan legislative process in 2021 identified up to about $544 million for TSU. At the Feb. 19 presentation to the State Building Commission (SBC), the administration requested reappropriation of the $250 million set aside for deferred maintenance, noting that $154 million of that amount has not been used; Tucker said the administration is asking to allow use of the unused $154 million for operating costs and cash‑flow needs. He said those dollars would allow TSU to meet cash requirements through 2030. Tucker also referenced a remaining amount of about $294 million that the administration is asking to be appropriated in the coming years.

The president framed the request as foundational to restoring the university’s ability to enroll students and hire faculty, and to modernize campus facilities over the next five years. He said the plan is intended to give TSU more control of its “own destiny.”

Tucker also reported extensive outreach to students, alumni, donors and legislators since December. He described efforts to elevate student voice—inviting student representatives to cabinet meetings—and small operational changes planned to improve the student experience, including making some reserved parking spaces public during off hours and renaming the campus center back to the student center.

The board took routine procedural actions at the start and end of the meeting. A motion to adopt the meeting agenda and a motion to approve the consent agenda (minutes from committee meetings including audit, finance, student affairs, presidential search and governance) were approved by voice vote. The finance committee reported it will likely bring two items for future board action: a tuition increase and a scholarship policy.

Trustees were also told by the presidential search chair that the presidential search is being discontinued for now; the committee said timing is not right and it will return with additional information later.

President Tucker said the administration will use external advisors from entities including THEC, TBR and Alvarez & Marsal as part of cabinet meetings to coordinate decisions and implementation. He said the university will produce a performance dashboard and further details on fundraising and operations in coming months.

Trustees also acknowledged student trustee Tyler Vasquez, who the board was told will graduate in May and has a fully funded MD‑PhD program at Meharry Medical College. The meeting concluded after routine closing procedures.