Tennessee HB 2157: University of Tennessee - As enacted, establishes an institute of American civics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; requires the president of the University of Tennessee, in consultation with the governor, the speaker of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives, to appoint 13 members to serve on a board of fellows for the institute; establishes procedure for appointment of a director for the institute. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 7; Title 49, Chapter 8 and Title 49, Chapter 9.

Bill Text

Senate Education 1

Amendment No. 1 to SB2410

Lundberg
Signature of Sponsor

AMEND Senate Bill No. 2410 House Bill No. 2157*

SA0814
016089
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by deleting all language after the enacting clause and substituting instead the following:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 9, is amended by adding
the following as a new part:
49-9-1101. Establishment of an institute of American civics.
(a) There is established an institute of American civics at the University of
Tennessee, Knoxville. The board of trustees for the University of Tennessee may
rename the institute consistent with its philanthropic naming governance procedures.
(b) It is the purpose of the institute to:
(1) Foster a deeper understanding of the structures and institutions of
federal, state, and local government;
(2) Further the understanding of the principles and philosophies that
contributed to the foundation and development of the United States and the state
of Tennessee;
(3) Promote civil discourse and constructive debate;
(4) Enhance education in the fields of politics, economics, philosophy,
American history, American government, and other related fields as appropriate,
with a focus on the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship;
fundamental democratic principles; and the ways in which those principles are
expressed in and through our federal, state, and local institutions;
(5) Provide nonpartisan resources to students, faculty, state government
agencies, educators, and the general public regarding civic affairs;

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(6) Foster civic engagement through full and fair discussions that
promote civil dialogue among those holding conflicting points of view; and
(7) Assist in ensuring that the University of Tennessee serves as a robust
marketplace of ideas for all students and faculty.
(c) In order to carry out the purposes set forth in subsection (b), the institute is
authorized to:
(1) Hire faculty and staff;
(2) Enroll students;
(3) Develop and offer courses in new undergraduate major and minor
programs;
(4) Offer general education and honors courses;
(5) Provide and facilitate internships and other relevant experiences for
students and the general public;
(6) Hold events; and
(7) Take other actions as appropriate, subject to the supervision of the
chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the general supervision
of the president of the University of Tennessee system.
(d) Upon its establishment, the institute may be physically housed in the Howard
H. Baker, Jr. Center on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
(e) The institute shall operate as an academic unit within the University of
Tennessee, Knoxville.
(f) The institute shall provide programming addressing American civics and
related topics for the University of Tennessee system.
49-9-1102. Board of fellows.
(a) The president of the University of Tennessee, in consultation with the
governor, the speaker of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives,

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shall appoint initial members to serve on a board of fellows for the institute. Members of
the initial board of fellows must be appointed by September 1, 2022.
(b) The board of fellows must consist of thirteen (13) members, of which:
(1) At least nine (9) members must be, or have been, tenured professors
or administrators or professors of practice at an institution of higher education in
the United States;
(2) Two (2) members must be distinguished former elected or appointed
officials in the United States, and, while serving in their former elected or
appointed position, must have been affiliated with different political parties; and
(3) Two (2) members must be members of the board of the Howard H.
Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. If a
member appointed under this subdivision (b)(3) vacates the member's position
on the board of the Howard H. Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy, then the
member vacates the member's position on the board of fellows and must be
replaced by the president of the University of Tennessee.
(c) In order to establish staggered terms for members of the board, four (4) of
the initial members must be appointed to serve a term of two (2) years; four (4) of the
initial members must be appointed to serve a term of four (4) years; and five (5) of the
initial members must be appointed to serve a term of six (6) years. After the initial
appointments expire, the term for each member of the board appointed to succeed an
initial member of the board of fellows is six (6) years. Board members may continue to
serve on the board after their term expires, but only until a new member is appointed to
replace the board member. Board members may be reappointed to multiple terms.
(d) The president of the University of Tennessee may remove a member from
the board of fellows for misconduct or neglect of duty.
(e) Except as provided in subdivision (b)(3), when a member's term expires or
when a vacancy