Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0240 - Board of Regents
Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0240 is entirely dedicated to the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). The TBR is a vital governing body in Tennessee's higher education landscape.
The Tennessee Board of Regents is responsible for the establishment, governance, management, and control of the Community College System of Tennessee and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs). While historically it also governed several state universities, those universities gained independent governing boards as part of the "Focusing on Student Success" initiative (also known as the "Drive to 55" plan) in 2016.
The purpose of the TBR, as reflected in its regulations and bylaws, is to:
Provide coordination and leadership for the system of institutions under its purview.
Ensure accountability while preserving the unique qualities of each institution.
Establish uniform policies and procedures where necessary to enhance effectiveness and operations.
Optimize the utilization of state resources for higher education.
Maintain citizen control and lay leadership in postsecondary education.
Key areas covered within Title 0240 of the Tennessee Rules & Regulations often include:
I. System-wide Administrative Rules (Chapter 0240-01):
Purpose and Scope: General administrative procedures for the Board itself and the institutions it governs.
Institutional Refunds (0240-01-02): Policies regarding tuition and fee refunds for students at community colleges and TCATs.
Public Records (0240-01-03, 0240-01-04): Regulations concerning access to and confidentiality of public records held by the TBR and its institutions, in compliance with the Tennessee Public Records Act and federal laws like FERPA. This includes procedures for requesting records, fees, and exceptions for confidential information.
Contested Case Procedures (0240-01-05): Rules for formal administrative hearings when an individual or entity contests a decision made by the Board or one of its institutions, ensuring due process.
Parking and Traffic Rules (0240-01-06): General regulations related to parking and traffic on TBR institution campuses.
II. System-wide Student Rules (Chapter 0240-02):
Alcoholic Beverages (0240-02-01): Policies regarding the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus.
Classifying Students In-State and Out-of-State (0240-02-02): Criteria and procedures for determining student residency for tuition purposes.
Student Conduct and Disciplinary Sanctions (0240-02-03): This is a critical chapter, setting forth the standards of conduct expected of students, the types of disciplinary actions that can be taken, and the procedures for disciplinary hearings. It covers a wide range of prohibited conduct and applies to individual students and student organizations.
Student Organizations (0240-02-04): Regulations governing the recognition, responsibilities, and conduct of student organizations.
Student Immunization Requirements (0240-02-09): Mandates for student immunizations.
Title IX Compliance (0240-02-10): Policies and procedures for complying with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, addressing sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and assault.
III. Institutional-Specific Rules (e.g., Chapters 0240-05 through 0240-10):
It's important to note that many of the chapters originally designed for specific universities (like Austin Peay State University, East Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, and the University of Memphis) often contain "Repealed" or are now largely "Reserved". This reflects the shift where these universities now have their own independent governing boards and promulgate their specific institutional rules and policies directly, rather than through the TBR.
However, some chapters might still retain specific regulations or historical context for these institutions, or provide a framework for certain delegated authorities. For the most current policies of these former TBR universities, one would generally consult the university's individual policy website.
IV. General TBR Policies (often found directly on the TBR website, but underpinned by this OAR Title):
Beyond the formal OARs, the TBR also maintains a comprehensive set of "Policies and Guidelines" on its website. These operational policies cover areas such as:
Academic policies and programs (e.g., curricula, degree requirements, academic retention).
Finance and business operations (e.g., purchasing, travel, budget approvals).
Personnel and compensation (e.g., general personnel policy, equal employment opportunity, parental leave).
Research compliance and security.
Use of artificial intelligence.
Student scholarships, grants, and financial aid.
In essence, Tennessee Code of Regulations Title 0240, while having seen some restructuring due to changes in university governance, remains the authoritative source for the administrative rules governing the core operations of the Tennessee Community College System and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, as well as overarching system-wide policies relevant to all institutions under the Tennessee Board of Regents' direct oversight.
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