Joint subcommittee advances multi-year extensions for universities and regional HRAs after questioning on DEI, safety and funding

The Joint Subcommittee on Government Operations on Thursday recommended multi-year extensions for multiple state institutions and regional human resource agencies after presentations and follow-up questioning on enrollment, safety, program funding and recent operational changes.

The panel advanced four-year extension recommendations for the University of Memphis, Middle Tennessee State University, East Tennessee State University and the statewide Community Service Agency, and shorter extensions for regional human resource agencies, sending all items to the full committee for final action.

The votes followed presentations from university trustees and presidents and from the executive directors of regional human service agencies that administer Head Start, senior nutrition, community corrections and other federally and state-funded programs. Rob Carter, chairman of the University of Memphis board of trustees, told the committee the board is focused on workforce-aligned programs and thanked the legislature for recent support. "We're really surrounded and grateful to this body and the legislative body overall for the support that we've gotten at the University of Memphis," Carter said.

Dr. Colton Cochran, senior AVP for institutional effectiveness at the University of Memphis, told members the campus has seen a significant drop in crime in recent years: "We're seeing our lowest crime rate in 25 years ... we've seen a 48% reduction in overall crime from '25 compared to '24, and when you bump it back to '23, we're seeing a 63% decrease year over year," Cochran said. He also outlined a new bachelor of applied science program designed to accept block transfers from TCATs and ease pathways to four-year degrees.

Lawmakers questioned schools closely about recent changes tied to legislation restricting certain DEI offices and activities. Chairman Lafferty asked whether programs had been dismantled and what happened to the associated positions and funds. University of Memphis leaders said they implemented the laws, disbanded the university's office of multicultural programs, reallocated some funds into general funds and student-advocacy positions, and emphasized that the university now focuses those resources on student success rather than distinct DEI offices.

Regional human services providers described the scope and cost of their operations. Sarah Brown, executive director of the South Central Human Resource Agency, said SCHRA serves 13 counties and administers Head Start, senior nutrition, LIHEAP and other services. When asked by Representative Fritz about the cost of running a recovery court, Brown gave a figure of about $100,000. Brown also said fuel-price increases had strained senior-meal delivery in SCHRA's 13-county service area; the agency said it serves more than 200,000 meals annually across 19 meal sites.

Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (Sethra) and the statewide Tennessee Community Service Agency (TNCSA) made similar presentations about audits, compliance and a range of programs including housing assistance, probation and juvenile services. Sethra reported an approximate service-area population of 350,000 and said its recovery-court and community-corrections work has resumed after earlier procurement and staffing challenges.

Committee members also heard from the Tennessee Council for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, which confirmed it is fully state-funded, has an 18-member council and is filling three vacancies; its executive director said the council provides interpreting services, outreach and training across multiple regional centers.

Middle Tennessee State University and East Tennessee State University emphasized student success and regional economic impact. Dr. McPhee of MTSU said the university enrolls more than 20,000 students; members pressed MTSU about a contested classroom reading and whether DEI activities persist in other forms. Dr. McPhee said DEI offices and programs were dismantled in compliance with state law and that funds have been redirected to student-success advising and support. At ETSU, President Brian Nolan said the Quillen College of Medicine received about 4,300 applicants for roughly 100 first‑year seats this year, and he described ETSU's role supplying health professionals to its region.

Votes at a glance

- University of Memphis — recommendation: 4-year extension. Senate roll call recorded all present senators as "aye"; house approved by voice vote. (Motion by Chairman Jackson; second noted.) - South Central Human Resource Agency (SCHRA) — recommendation: 3-year extension. Senate roll call recorded ayes; house voice vote passed. (Motion by Chairman Rutter.) - Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (Sethra) — recommendation: 3-year extension. Senate roll call recorded ayes; house voice vote passed. (Motion referenced by a senator at the table.) - Tennessee Community Service Agency (TNCSA) — recommendation: 4-year extension. Senate roll call recorded ayes; house voice vote passed. (Motion by Sen. Sutherland.) - Tennessee Council for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing — recommendation: 6-year extension. Senate roll call recorded ayes; house voice vote passed. (Motion by Sen. Sutherland.) - Middle Tennessee State University Board of Trustees — recommendation: 4-year extension. Senate roll call recorded ayes; house voice vote passed. (Motion by Chairman Jackson.) - East Tennessee State University Board of Trustees — recommendation: 4-year extension. Senate roll call recorded ayes; house voice vote passed. (Motion by Chairman Crow.)

What happens next: The subcommittee's extension recommendations will be drafted into sunset bills and heard during the full committee and the 2027 legislative session. Several members said audits and follow-up will be part of oversight going forward; the chair noted comptroller audits will review compliance with recent legislative changes.

Speakers quoted in this article are included in the meeting's speaker list provided with this report. The subcommittee recessed for lunch and planned to reconvene at 1:30 p.m.