Tennessee Governor Appoints Former US Attorney To Review TSU’s Financials And Governance

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has appointed former U.S. attorney Ed Stanton to investigate Tennessee State University’s financials and governance. According to a letter obtained by The Tennessean, the appointment was made in June at the request of the Tennessee attorney general. Moreover, the HBCU’s new board of trustees conducted the probe.

The letter indicated Stanton should review “policies, procedures, protocols, fiscal records, capital expenditures, capital master planning, and corporate governance” from 2021. It also outlined that state officials may expect litigation “to protect TSU’s interests.”

Stanton’s appointment comes after multiple audits, including a $2 million external forensic audit that found no fraud or wrongdoing at TSU. As Blavity reported, there was a 250% increase in scholarships between 2019 and 2023 — leading to a boom in enrollment and triggering a housing shortage on campus.

“As you all know, we’re a new board,” Board of Trustees chair Dakasha Winter said in a June board meeting, per The Tennessean. “It’s imperative for us to determine where the university is in order for us to continue to move the university forward.”

Lee’s spokesperson, Elizabeth Johnson, emphasized that “he remains committed to TSU’s success.”

Democrats have criticized the governor’s decision to vacate the board, noting the historic underfunding of TSU.

“TSU would undoubtedly be in a different position today if it had received the funds promised by the state over the last three decades,” the university said in a statement in reaction to the board being vacated in March. “While we are very disappointed by today’s vote, we will continue to work with the General Assembly and the Governor’s office to pursue options, both in funding and governance, that allow TSU to continue the momentum it has achieved in enrollment, research, academics and providing great opportunities for students.”

TSU is still searching for President Glenda Glover’s successor. Glover, the first woman president of the HBCU, retired in April.

This article first appeared in Blavity.