The Tennessee General Assembly has proposed a bill that would end the ability for the University of Tennessee to grant any faculty members tenure status on or after July 1, 2026. This would not affect currently tenured faculty. The bill, Senate Bill 1838, was filed for introduction on Jan. 21, 2026.
The bill has been passed on first and second consideration in the Tennessee Senate, on Jan. 22 and Feb. 2 respectively.
Sens. Joseph Hensley and Rusty Crowe, both Republicans, are the bill’s sponsors…