Bill > HB2194

This bill mandates that public higher education institutions in Tennessee, including those governed by the Board of Regents and the University of Tennessee system's Board of Trustees, must establish and implement clear policies that separate decisions regarding academic tenure from disciplinary actions taken against faculty members. Academic tenure is a safeguard for academic freedom and intellectual independence, while disciplinary actions address misconduct or violations of professional standards. The bill emphasizes that tenure decisions should not be used as a form of punishment, and disciplinary actions should not affect tenure status without due process. It also clarifies that administrators retain the authority to discipline or terminate faculty for cause, ensuring that disciplinary procedures are consistent for both tenured and non-tenured faculty, and that faculty members receive proper notice and an opportunity to be heard before disciplinary actions are taken. Additionally, the bill requires institutions to adopt policies promoting institutional neutrality, free expression, and civil discourse on campus, with these policies to be publicly posted online.