Bredesen focuses on improving higher ed outcomes

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NASHVILLE -- While restructuring Tennessee's two competing systems of higher education "is not off the table," Gov. Phil Bredesen said Tuesday that his top goal for the schools is promoting student retention and boosting graduation rates.

"The idea of restructuring the governance is certainly not off the table. It's not the highest priority," Gov. Bredesen said.

Some lawmakers have said the state's dual higher education system should be restructured.

The University of Tennessee system includes campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Martin as well as the Health Science Center in Memphis, which has a medical school.

The Tennessee Board of Regents operates six universities, 13 community colleges, including Chattanooga State Community College, and 26 stand-alone technology centers.

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission coordinates and supports both systems' activities.

On Monday, the governor met with lawmakers and higher education officials as part of ongoing, closed-door discussions.

He is pushing for a greater role for two-year colleges and talking about changing the higher education funding formula to reward schools for graduating more students.

"I think all of us feel, and certainly our consultants feel, 'Let's decide exactly what we want to do first and then we will work from there as to whether the governance structure we have is the best for that or whether that's something that needs to be changed,'" the governor said.

House Finance Committee Chairman Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, who is participating in the discussions, agreed.

"I think we determined the more important thing was that parts of the system are working good, like the community colleges, like the funding formula," Rep. Fitzhugh said. "I think there was a consensus that we'd be better served (focused there) than just trying to rearrange some administrative chairs."