Foreign Influnce in Tennessee Colleges
🎓 Foreign funds in private universities · Cheekwood versus the world · MNPS shelves Pre-K expansion plan · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we take a look at the parties that successfully killed a fiscal transparency bill for private universities in the state... Cheekwood cries foul as efforts to rein in parking additions gain traction... And much more!
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How the private college lobby killed a common-sense attempt at transparency
From Jerod Hollyfield
When the Tennessee Senate unanimously passed a bill in March that requires private institutions of higher learning to disclose foreign contributions, it seemed like a given that it would end up on Governor Lee’s desk by the end of the session. However, in a surprise move, the House’s Higher Education Subcommittee sidelined their own version of the bill less than 48 hours later—allegedly caving to intense pressure from private universities and lobbyists.
When he sponsored HB 998, House Higher Education subcommittee member Rep. Robert Stevens (D-13), hoped to bring the same oversight to private schools and international partnerships that the state requires of its public universities.
“The bill would have only required private universities to disclose contracts and gifts from countries on the U.S. State Department's ‘Countries of Concern’ list (which is not many) for amounts over $50,000,” Rep. Stevens said. “The only one on there that would matter to the universities would have been China, most likely.”
Both HB 988 and its Senate equivalent, SB 102, began as calls for a simple, one-word amendment to the laws already on the books for state schools. However, sources tell The Pamphleteer that the legislation immediately raised the ire of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and University Association (TICUA), the primary lobbying arm of the state’s private institutions of higher learning.
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your council member, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
HEADLINES
- 🌿 A Belle Meade neighbors group seeks to disrupt Cheekwood's parking plans. Neighbors for Safety BMH has filed a zoning appeal with the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals seeking a stop-work order on Cheekwood's $25 million parking pavilion, a city-mandated project that Cheekwood says would end its reliance on Warner Parks overflow lots, arguing it violates the cultural institution's 1996 special exception zoning. Cheekwood fired back with a "Save Cheekwood" petition that has topped 6,000 signatures, while neighbors say they just want Highway 100 access in place before capacity expands. The BZA is expected to hear the case in August. (Scene)
- 🏫 MNPS passed a $1.4 billion budget Tuesday. The 7-1 vote approved a $55 million spending increase that includes a 1.7% COLA and 1.5% step raise for staff, but the board scrapped a planned fifth MNPS pre-K site at Hillwood Early Learning Center to cover a $550,000 share of a Metro Council-mandated performance audit. Board chair Dr. Berthena Nabaa-McKinney said the audit blindsided the board with no prior discussion and still lacks clear goals or scope. (Banner)
- 📋 Metro is taking nearly a month to hand over records on $1.5M in TIRRC and TNJFON grants. After the Tennessee Star filed a public records request on June 12 seeking documents justifying the FY2027 budget grants to the two immigrant services nonprofits, Metro said it needs until July 10 to respond. The delay comes as O'Connell administration officials publicly contradict each other about what the funding will be used for, and the Metro Clerk has acknowledged the grants simply extend existing ARPA-funded contracts set to expire at the end of June. (Tennessee Star)
DEVELOPMENT
- Atlanta-based private social club plans Nashville expansion (NBJ)
- Green Hills CVS property sells for $13.63M (Post)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🎻 Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 6p, $49, Info
🪕 Reno & Finck @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info
🎸 Widowspeak @ The Blue Room, 7p, $27.86, Info
💀 Tennessee Dead @ Tennessee Brew Works, 6p, Info
🪕 Bluegrass Night @ The American Legion Post 82, 7p, Free, Info
🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
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