U of M asks state for a board of their own

Like a child, The U of M constantly has to ask permission to do what it wants. From building projects to faculty raises, the Tennessee Bureau of Regents has to approve The University's decisions. Because of this time-consuming and sometimes disappointing process, some University officials are urging the state to let The U of M govern itself through an independent board. One of those officials is University President Shirley Raines. Raines said in an interview last year that she liked the idea of splitting from TBR, since it would put The U of M on the same playing field as the University of Tennessee. The Vols have their own independent board. "I want The University of Memphis to have the best reputation and compete head to head with the University of Tennessee," Raines said. The University's board of visitors, a group of prominent businessmen and community leaders who serve as Raines' advisers, have led the charge for change. The board has been talking to Governor Bredesen for over six years, according to Mary Morgan, TBR spokesperson, but the discussion hasn't resulted in any action yet. "This is all very vague at this point," Morgan said. "There's really no way to talk about pros and cons because there's nothing on the table. This is just an idea." The discussion, while on-going, hasn't moved forward because of a lack of initiative, said Larry Papasan, former chair of the board of visitors. "It's either going to require action on the part of the governor, or action on the part of the legislature or TBR," he said. "Maybe all three." Governor Phil Bredesen supports the idea of creating an independent board for The U of M, said Ken Glass. Glass, who was quoted last year in the Memphis Flyer, is the former chairman of Memphis Tomorrow. Memphis Tomorrow, an organization of executives interested in improving the community, has been one of the forces behind the push for an independent board. Raines, who is also a member of the exclusive Memphis Tomorrow, said the governor would have to make the first move. "It's important that the governor takes the lead," Raines said. "He is the key." Raines outlined a Tennessee plan to give independent boards to all Carnegie research 1 institutions, which engage in extensive research. The U of M is currently the only research 1 school in the state. "We like the concept of research 1 institutions being independent," Raines said. "As others in the state become research 1, they would get their own board." The benefits would likely outweigh the negative affects, said Bob Eoff, the vice president of communications, public relations and marketing. "I don't think we would see any hurt to us," he said. "It would just give us the freedom to have our own board and make our own decisions." The University would still get state funding and keep the same state insurance plan even if it split from TBR, Eoff said. But one downside to leaving TBR, he said, would be that The U of M won't be able to "piggyback" on other TBR universities' contracts with vendors. If The U of M established its own board, TBR will lose a key bargaining chip in its negotiations with vendors, Eoff said. In his radio show on 600 WREC last year, Coach John Calipari said an independent board would help build up The U of M's athletic program by giving them "the real recognition and respect they deserve." "You've got to win a national title," Calipari said. "The benefit, I would hope, would be our own board of trustees for this University. And that school on the other side of the state that dresses in orange would not be able to hold us down like they do." An independent board would also give The U of M a little wiggle room in Conference USA, opening the door to other conferences. "It would help us direct funds internally which would lead to opportunities in joining a different conference," Raines said. Morgan, TBR spokesperson, said TBR wasn't eager for The U of M to leave. "We certainly love The University of Memphis and certainly hope they'll stay with us," she said.