Is Carson-Newman’s Waiver Another Tennessee Promise Broken?
A recent decision by Carson-Newman University to seek and obtain a waiver for Title IX has raised concerns regarding funding from the State of Tennessee. Recently, the university initiated an associates degree, two year program, to tap into Tennessee Promise funds, which are provided by Tennessee tax dollars. Though the Title IX waiver allows the continuation of federal funding and was granted on the basis of religious conviction, it is contrary to the reasoning behind Governor Haslam’s push to have a more educated Tennessee and brings the question of conditional enrollment in a institution of higher learning that not only receives, but constructed a program of study around, Tennessee Promise funds.
At the basis of Haslam’s Tennessee Promise program is the movement toward a more job ready population in Tennessee and the removal of financial barriers for those that could find enrollment in college or technical school outside of their reach. Title IX assures against discrimination for students on the basis of sex and protects pregnant and parenting students from discrimination, as well. The resolution which established the trust for the Tennessee Promise funding states that the funds are for the use of qualified students and those qualifications are in compliance with Title IX stipulations. Further, the state’s guidelines are in line with the intent of funding of the Tennessee Promise, and the Tennessee Promise is one leg of the Drive to 55 program that is intent on promoting a more educated employment pool in Tennessee. Though Carson-Newman University petitioned for the waiver and is a private university, it is listed on the government site as an approved Tennessee Promise School.
Senator Frank Niceley addressed the issue. “I like our private schools such as Carson-Newman University and Lincoln Memorial University. I also like our pubic universities. Anytime that private institutions take money from the federal or state government it changes the playing field and brings the the government into the classroom. That is why I believe that private colleges and universities should not become dependent on state funds. The goal of the Tennessee Promise is to educated as many Tennesseans as possible and I don’t know if it is possible to distribute those funds to private colleges and universities without strings attached. As far as Carson-Newman University obtaining a waiver for Title IX, as a private university that is their decision. But, as a Tennessee Promise school, there are other considerations.”
Representative Jeremy Faison stated, “Tennessee Promise money follows students and they should be able to use that money where they wish, as they wish. As far as Carson-Newman University getting a waiver for Title IX, they are a private school and the students that attend that school should already be aware of the school’s position of Title IX issues.”
Carson-Newman University and the State of Tennessee were contacted regarding the continuation of Tennessee Promise funds, as well as their position on Carson-Newman University allowing admission to unwed or pregnant mothers or LGBT students. Neither was prepared to comment on the issue as of Friday afternoon, but both have committed to address the issue after investigating the impact of the Title IX waiver on the receipt of state funds.
