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TSU launches policy modernization; governance committee to rework bylaws and board policies
Summary
University staff outlined a policy modernization project to separate policies from procedures, prioritize HR/business/finance updates, and introduce annual review and training; trustees discussed a reconstructed bylaws draft and committee roles, and the Governance Committee plans meetings to recommend adoption to the full board before July 1, 2026.
Tennessee State University officials told trustees on May 14 that a campus‑wide policy modernization effort is underway to reduce ambiguity, separate policies from operational procedures and strengthen annual review and training processes.
Why it matters: Trustees said clearer, up‑to‑date governance documents will reduce operational ambiguity, improve compliance and set consistent expectations for staff, faculty and students.
Leah Llewellyn, the university’s strategic advisor leading the project, said an inventory found "301 existing policies and procedures that are all listed as policies," and that many of those are operational procedures better suited to handbooks. She described a phased, risk‑based approach that will prioritize human resources, business and finance, and academic affairs, and said the team will hire two nine‑month faculty specialists to assist over the summer. A 12‑member cabinet steering committee and 24 staff members were identified as part of the review team; Dr. Cynthia Howell is named as the project manager.
Llewellyn told trustees the administration aims to bring board‑required policy updates to the trustees in September for the first tranche and to complete remaining updates by the end of calendar year 2026. She also said the project will establish an annual policy review and training cadence led by Dr. Cynthia Hall, the assistant vice president for risk and financial compliance.
Trustees pressed on process questions: why the governance committee (rather than the executive committee) is serving as the working body for the initiative; how updates will be coordinated with committee responsibilities (finance, audit, academic affairs); and whether bylaws will incorporate committee‑structure policies. Attorney Brown said counsel will help navigate which committee must review specific items before they come to the full board.
The Governance Committee also discussed a reconstructed bylaws draft circulated in board materials. Committee members noted the draft integrates existing committee‑structure language into the bylaws and agreed to reconvene with redline comparisons and additional edits before recommending final adoption to the full board.
Looking ahead: The administration will circulate updated drafts and committee members asked staff to set additional meetings in June so required approvals can be completed on schedule.
