U of M asks state for a board of their own
Wants out from under the thumb of TBR
By: Ryan Poe
Issue date: 11/26/08 Section: News
Like a child, The U of M constantly has to ask permission to do what it wants. From building projects to faculty raises, the Tennessee Bureau of Regents has to approve The University's decisions. Because of this time-consuming and sometimes disappointing process, some University officials are urging the state to let The U of M govern itself through an independent board.
One of those officials is University President Shirley Raines. Raines said in an interview last year that she liked the idea of splitting from TBR, since it would put The U of M on the same playing field as the University of Tennessee. The Vols have their own independent board.
"I want The University of Memphis to have the best reputation and compete head to head with the University of Tennessee," Raines said.
The University's board of visitors, a group of prominent businessmen and community leaders who serve as Raines' advisers, have led the charge for change. The board has been talking to Governor Bredesen for over six years, according to Mary Morgan, TBR spokesperson, but the discussion hasn't resulted in any action yet.
"This is all very vague at this point," Morgan said. "There's really no way to talk about pros and cons because there's nothing on the table. This is just an idea."
The discussion, while on-going, hasn't moved forward because of a lack of initiative, said Larry Papasan, former chair of the board of visitors.
"It's either going to require action on the part of the governor, or action on the part of the legislature or TBR," he said. "Maybe all three."
Governor Phil Bredesen supports the idea of creating an independent board for The U of M, said Ken Glass. Glass, who was quoted last year in the Memphis Flyer, is the former chairman of Memphis Tomorrow.
Memphis Tomorrow, an organization of executives interested in improving the community, has been one of the forces behind the push for an independent board.
Raines, who is also a member of the exclusive Memphis Tomorrow, said the governor would have to make the first move.
One of those officials is University President Shirley Raines. Raines said in an interview last year that she liked the idea of splitting from TBR, since it would put The U of M on the same playing field as the University of Tennessee. The Vols have their own independent board.
"I want The University of Memphis to have the best reputation and compete head to head with the University of Tennessee," Raines said.
The University's board of visitors, a group of prominent businessmen and community leaders who serve as Raines' advisers, have led the charge for change. The board has been talking to Governor Bredesen for over six years, according to Mary Morgan, TBR spokesperson, but the discussion hasn't resulted in any action yet.
"This is all very vague at this point," Morgan said. "There's really no way to talk about pros and cons because there's nothing on the table. This is just an idea."
The discussion, while on-going, hasn't moved forward because of a lack of initiative, said Larry Papasan, former chair of the board of visitors.
"It's either going to require action on the part of the governor, or action on the part of the legislature or TBR," he said. "Maybe all three."
Governor Phil Bredesen supports the idea of creating an independent board for The U of M, said Ken Glass. Glass, who was quoted last year in the Memphis Flyer, is the former chairman of Memphis Tomorrow.
Memphis Tomorrow, an organization of executives interested in improving the community, has been one of the forces behind the push for an independent board.
Raines, who is also a member of the exclusive Memphis Tomorrow, said the governor would have to make the first move.