The university president said TSU has exceeded its deficit goals in fiscal year 2025 by $13.2 million and is expected to exceed them again in fiscal year 2026.

TSU President Dwayne Tucker told Governor Bill Lee on Thursday that his university’s finances are improving, but it still needs help with deferred maintenance.

According to the Comptroller’s audit, Tucker is inheriting a university that ended the 2022/23 fiscal year in June 2023 with an operating revenue loss of more than $128 million.

The plan would reduce TSU's budget deficit by $32-37 million over the next two fiscal years through staff cuts, scholarship caps, hiring freezes and other cuts.

Tennessee State University officials told state leaders Monday that the university is currently looking for new ways to save money, amid concerns about financial mismanagement.

The Tennessee State University Board of Trustees has selected LEAD Public Schools CEO Dwayne Tucker to lead the university, following Interim President Ronald Johnson’s resignation on Wednesday.

Tanaka Vercher filed the suit in Davidson County Chancery Court on Monday claiming TSU leaders fired her the day after she refused to provide incorrect information to the federal government to speed up disbursement of financial aid to the cash strapped university.

Tennessee State University (TSU) officials outlined new strategies at Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting to prevent a $46 million deficit, as the university works to avoid running out of money.

State leaders criticized Tennessee State University for financial and operational mismanagement during a Thursday State Building Commission Meeting, amid recent fears that the university is running out of money.