Tennessee Lawmakers Debate Changes to College Tenure Protections

Proposals range from reforming the discipline process to abolishing tenure altogether

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Tennessee lawmakers are considering major changes to the tenure system for college professors, with two bills proposing different approaches. One bill would keep tenure but reform the discipline process, while another would abolish tenure entirely at public universities in the state. The debate appears to be partly in response to recent incidents where professors faced consequences for social media posts related to the death of activist Charlie Kirk.

Why it matters

The tenure system is meant to protect academic freedom, but critics argue the protections go too far. The proposed changes could have significant implications for how universities in Tennessee handle personnel matters, especially when it comes to controversial speech or actions by faculty members.

The details

One bill, proposed by Republican Rep. Jason Zachary, would give university presidents or chief academic officers sole authority to discipline, suspend or fire tenured faculty for cause, rather than going through a public hearing process involving peer faculty. Another bill from Republican Rep. Justin Lafferty would have abolished tenure at Tennessee's public universities altogether, but Lafferty ultimately withdrew the bill from consideration, citing concerns about the pace of such a major change.

  • The bills were debated in the Tennessee legislature's House Higher Education Subcommittee on February 19, 2026.

The players

Jason Zachary

A Republican state representative from Knoxville who wants to reform the tenure discipline process.

Ronnie Glynn

A Democratic state representative from Clarksville who criticized Zachary's bill as "retaliation" for the firing of a professor over a social media post.

Justin Lafferty

A Republican state representative from Knoxville who proposed a bill to abolish tenure at Tennessee's public universities, but ultimately withdrew it.

Darren Michael

An Austin Peay State University theater professor who was fired for a social media post following the death of activist Charlie Kirk, but was later reinstated and given a $500,000 settlement.

Laura Sosh-Lightsy

MTSU's head of Judicial Affairs who was terminated for a social media post following Charlie Kirk's death, though she was not a professor and did not have tenure.

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What they’re saying

“A institution of higher ed should be for learning. It shouldn't be about social agendas, social justice agendas.”

— Jason Zachary, State Representative (newschannel5.com)

“I think this bill really and truly is a reaction to what happened over the summer with the death of Charlie Kirk.”

— Ronnie Glynn, State Representative (newschannel5.com)

What’s next

The bills will continue to be debated in the Tennessee legislature, with the potential for further changes or amendments before any final votes.

The takeaway

The debate over tenure protections for college professors in Tennessee highlights the ongoing tensions between academic freedom and accountability, especially when it comes to controversial speech or actions by faculty members. The proposed reforms could have significant implications for how universities handle personnel matters going forward.