x
Breaking News
More () »

UT students, faculty march through campus for 'academic freedom'

Their two biggest complaints focus on possible changes to the board of trustees and teacher tenure. It comes as the Tennessee legislature considers a bill called the focus act.

Students and faculty at the University of Tennessee marched on campus Tuesday to defend what they call academic freedom.

Their two biggest complaints focus on possible changes to the board of trustees and teacher tenure. It comes as the Tennessee legislature considers a bill called the focus act.

RELATED | Annie's Bill Blog: What we're watching in the state legislature

The focus act would reduce the number of seats on the board of trustees. It would reconstitute the University of Tennessee (UT) board of trustees and makes other revisions regarding the governance of the UT system.

Protesters worry that would reduce regional voices and don't feel the reasoning is sound.

"There's very lose language about cutting numbers means more efficiency," said UT Professor of Sociology Jon Shefner. "I don't see how they can get all the work done with the kinds of cuts they suggest."

Lawmakers behind the bill have said it would increase efficiency. Protestors also took issue with a proposed change to teacher tenure which would increase the number of reviews for tenured professors.

More than half of UT's teachers are tenured.

Before You Leave, Check This Out