NASHVILLE – A plan allowing the University of Tennessee to keep secret its search efforts and any job applications for a new system president have been dropped by Chattanooga lawmaker Gerald McCormick.
Rep. McCormick, a Republican, hoped to add his amendment to a bill that requires the state’s higher-ed organizations to video stream their meetings.
UT is in the process of finding a new president and Rep. McCormick, a UT graduate, said the state “ought not to have a public process on that,” noting that it likely discourages applicants from other universities who may fear risking losing their existing positions if they don’t get the job.
“It may put their jobs in danger,” he said.
But he noted that his proposal should have more public discussion than as a last-minute amendment on a bill coming through in the last days of a legislative session.
“I hope we’ll take another look next year.”