A recent report paints Tennessee State in dire financial straits in which state officials revealed that the university is allegedly “out of money” and should consider layoff and selling the Nashville-based campus.
The Tennessean reported the findings stemming from a state financial audit that revealed the school is still paying ex-President Glenda Glover $800,000 despite what was believed to be “management failures” during her tenure.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton, a Republican, asked school officials in attendance at a meeting why Glover was still being paid.
The Tennessean also reported that TSU had been allotted more than 30 million in recent months to sustain the school financially. The university, the newspaper reported, was almost unable to make payroll and was reportedly forced to lay off more than 100 employees last month.
“The point is, the university is out of money,” State Treasurer David Lillard said.
Comptroller Jason Mumpower suggested to Tennessee State interim President Ronald Johnson that the school needed to act more aggressively to alleviate its financial issues by laying off more employees because the state could no longer provide monthly aid to keep it afloat.
Recent reports emerged that scores of HBCUs across 16 states were shortchanged over the decades for a combined total exceeding $12 billion.
This systematic misappropriation of funds in the Tennessee State case was so egregious that noted civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump got involved last year to fight on behalf of the university, which had been underfunded by an estimated $2.1 billion.
At a recent town hall meeting held on the TSU campus, Crump suggested the school will take legal action against the state.
Tennessee State head coach Eddie George was asked in 2023 his thoughts on the school being underfunded.
“I have a vested interest [in this] clearly. This is bigger than the athletic program,” he said. “It’s $2.1 billion dollars that could really help this university become elite. I don’t know why it’s been so long. I think we can look across the board holistically across the country at every HBCU and see they have been underfunded. Let’s call it what it is — systemic racism. I think the opportunity now is to rectify this situation and figure out how we could write this wrong.
“You think about what the funds could do for Tennessee State University, [they could be used] for infrastructure, maintenance, for our endowment, an annual fund to bring in more staff because we’re understaffed in a lot of areas, so you can bring in quality individuals to really enhance the student educational experience.”
Tennessee State’s financial situation has recently impacted athletics. The school’s newly formed hockey program is expected to compete during the 2025-26 athletic and academic school year, but there are concerns about the program’s viability as the institution faces some serious problems.
The school announced a financial crisis brought on by mismanagement of funds and a financial action plan to address “severe structural deficits.”
Tennessee State’s investment in hockey is slated to be around $2.5 million in the upcoming inaugural year, but they are receiving help from the hometown team, the NHL’s Nashville Predators. According to a story by Meredith Turits of Front Office Sports, the Predators will provide the Tigers’ men’s and women’s programs with a home rink, one of several Ford Ice Centers the Preds own and operate in Nashville.
Despite the university’s historic underfunding, Mumpower pressed Tennessee State officials to make changes to aid the school, following decisions made by the previous administration.
“You cannot let up. There is no reason for you to feel like the pressure has been relieved,” Mumpower said. “The pressure is still on. The previous administration and trustees have driven this university to a breaking point.”
