Tennessee Higher Education Plan Offers New Hope
By Eleanor Lee Yates

NASHVILLE
Tennessee State University President Dr. James A. Hefner says the recent settlement of a 32-year-old higher education federal desegregation lawsuit means new opportunities for students to receive a quality education in a diverse learning environment.
"This really gives TSU the chance to be the best it can be," Hefner told Black Issues. "This decision will assist us in becoming the public institution of Nashville."
Last month, a federal district judge approved an agreement designed to eliminate the last vestiges of segregation in the state's colleges and universities by dropping racial enrollment goals. Instead, schools will strive to appeal to all races.
Though the settlement affects other state colleges and universities, helping historically Black Tennessee State University in Nashville attract more White students is the centerpiece of the new plan. TSU, the alma mater to such notables as Oprah Winfrey, will receive more than $70 million over the next 10 years. The settlement includes up to $20 million for an endowment to fund merit-based scholarships, $3.75 million for scholarships for evening and weekend "nontraditional" students, and $400,000 for a marketing campaign for the school. TSU officials are extremely happy about the strong possibility of having the only law school in Middle Tennessee. There is a five-year proposal for a merger between the private Nashville School of Law and TSU, which would get up to $17 million to start the program. Though school officials are optimistic about the merger, a failure would still provide TSU with $5 million for new programs, including a new College of Public Service and Urban Affairs at the downtown campus.
TSU's downtown Avon Williams campus will be renovated and will cater largely to evening and weekend students who work during the day. Other funds will be used for faculty development, research grants and library improvements.
Both the Tennessee Board of Regents system, of which TSU is a part, and the University of Tennessee system must hold summer enrichment camps to expose minority high school students to college life, offer fellowships to minority doctoral students and recruit more Black visiting professors.
University of Tennessee President Wade Gilley says he expects UT to double its enrollment of minority students in the next five to 10 years. UT minority enrollment is now approximately 13 percent.