A CALL TO ACTION!

Tiger Pride recognizes its access to you is precious.

In that spirit, I use this space now to advise that I will be sending multiple communications in the coming days greater than my normal to alert of State of Tennessee Legislature Agenda items on TSU.

If you are able, please consider attending the legislative sessions at the Capitol in Nashville, on Wednesday, February 7.

We are asked to do so by the TSUNAA Regional Vice President Sandra Hunt via an email earlier to the TSUNAA Memphis/Shelby County Chaper President, Constance Williams King and all chapter presidents of TSUNAA Chapters in the TSUNAA MidSouth Region.

There will be two sub Committee sessions. One is scheduled for 8:30 AM and the other is scheduled for 3:00 PM.

TSU Tiger Pride suggests that if you are unable to attend in person, please consider writing and/or calling. If you are a Tennessee voter, please consider contacting your state representatives.

In the content below, you will find greater detail that I believe will assist in getting information on the issue as well as contact information for the member of the State of Tennessee Legislatures's Education Committee. I will provide the same information for the House of Representatives in a follow up email.

You may identify your specific representative using the button below:

As a constituent of a state institution, one of your greatest responsibilities is to help elect the legislators (even if you are not a resident of the state of Tennessee) who represent the state's nearly 6 million residents and their interests. A role in the democratic process of government can go beyond the polls.

Towards that end, I share this detailed information on communicating with the State of Tennessee Legislature, who have great authority on what impacts Tennessee State Univeristy, the state's flag ship HBCU.

By sharing your opinions and ideas with senators and representatives in Nashville, you help them decide what to do about the issues and pending legislation. They communicate feedback is welcomed and consequently encourage it. The state legislators receive a large volume of phone calls and mail. How then, can you be sure your concern is heard?Below you will find guidelines and tips to help you get the most impact out of your communications with state legislators in Nashville.

Know who the legislators are and how to contact them.

In the case of the Education Subcommittee, the members are (if you click on their name, the embedded link will take you to their State of Tennessee contact information, including their staff):

Jon Lundberg

Chair

Bill Powers

ViceChair

Raumesh Akbari

2nd Vice Chair

Senator Rusty Crowe

Committee Member

Senator Todd Gardenhire

Committee Member

Senator Ferrell Haile

Committee Member

Senator Joey Hensley

Committee Member

Senator Mark Pody

Committee Member

Senator Dawn White

Committee Member

CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO ACCESS THE DOCUMENT.

This is what I believe is the bill to be acted upon,Senate Bill 1596/House Bill1739 and the entity that will replace it as defined in HB2627.

My personal assessment is that the legislature believes that complaints from students about scholarship awards and (non) renewals and the Comptroller's interpretation of findings of audits, initiated by the Comptroller, are reasons that the current Board of Trustees at Tennessee State University is to cease to be in existance June 29, 2024.

I find no other information that is used as foundation by the state to remove the Tennessee State Univeristy Board of Trustees, an entity that is less that five years in existence.

The Legislature proposes that the replacement body for the current Tennessee State Univeristy Board of Trustees be one that consists of nine people. Three of the people would be appointed by the Governer, three would be appointed by the leader of the State of Tennessee Senater and three would be appointed by the State of Tennessee House of Representatives.

Unlike the current Board of Trustees, the only manner in which a constituent of Tennessee State Univeristy can have a direct voice in the selection process.

This like all information in this communication is a reflection of my my personal interpretation!

I welcome information from all who have greater intelligence!

CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO ACCESS THE DOCUMENT.

This document is listed as Senate Bill 2569 (SB2569).

I am not sure if this is an existing bill.

As it seems to have considerable content on the state's institutions of higher learning, I share this as reference information.

If you are informed as to what this is and how it may tie into current efforts, please share via reply to this email.

Thanks in advance.

CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO ACCESS THE DOCUMENT.

This document is not directly applicable to Tennessee State University and is shared for general information purposes only.

The Senate Members and House Members listings give you the mailing addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of Tennessee's state senate and house members.

Familiarize yourself with the legislative process. Even the most basic understanding of the process will help you effectively express your ideas.

In the case of Tennessee State Univeristy, two issues are on the legislative calandars for Wednesday, February 7, 2024.

Contact a senator or representative about a particular issue before the Legislature takes action on it. Most matters coming before the Legislature are well publicized before and during session. Calendars for committee and floor action are posted on the Web site and updated frequently.

Tell the senator or representative what effect you think a particular bill, if it becomes law, will have on your interest (Tennessee State University), your family, business, or community. Be concise, but specific.

Be polite, even if you disagree strongly. Lawmakers cannot please everyone. Communication is more effective if you are reasonable in your approach.

Consider suggesting a course of action and offering assistance. Don't make promises or threats.

Be absolutely certain you spell the senator's or representative's name correctly and use the correct address. If you don't, you could lose your audience.

Type or print legibly. Sign your name neatly and give your address correctly so your senator or representative can respond.

Keep letters, e-mail, and faxes brief. Never write more than one page. Concise written correspondence is more likely to grab and keep the reader's attention.

Identify your issue or opinion at the beginning of the letter, don't bury your main point under trivial text.

Cover only one issue per letter. If you have another issue to address, write another letter.



Back up your opinions with supporting facts. Your letter should inform the reader.

Avoid abbreviations or acronyms, and don't use technical jargon. Rather than impressing your reader, such terms will only frustrate him or her.

Don't send the same letter to more than one legislator. Personalized letters have more impact.

If you are able to visit or you will call, plan thoughtfully. Keep to the point and discuss only one issue. Organize your thoughts ahead of time and make notes to help you stay on track.

When planning a visit to a senator or representative, make an appointment. Don't just drop by their office and expect him or her to drop everything to see you. Call or write for an appointment as soon as you know when you are going to be in Nashville at the Capitol.

Prepare a one-page fact sheet concerning your issue to give to your legislator. This will help him or her better retain what you present.

Faithfully Blue!

TSU Tiger Pride