<BillNo> <Sponsor>
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 175
By Cochran
HJR0175
003332
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A RESOLUTION relative to free speech and civil discourse on
Tennessee's university and college campuses.
WHEREAS, America must remain the world's leader in educational advancement and
opportunity as well as research greatness; and
WHEREAS, Tennessee universities play an important role in advancing America's
greatness through the development of our country's future leaders and the conduct of
substantive research for the country's interests; and
WHEREAS, our State has a strong and rich history of research capabilities ranging from
the University of Tennessee system, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee Technological University,
Austin Peay University, the University of Memphis, and Middle Tennessee State University to
several HBCUs and independent universities and colleges; and
WHEREAS, the role of colleges and universities, both private and public, in partnering
with government officials in the advancement of national security, civic development and
planning, and other essential quality-of-life issues is vital to our country's interests; and
WHEREAS, after October 7, 2023, when Israel was brutally violated in a terrorist attack,
several universities allowed disruptive actions that threatened some students' security and
stifled free speech and civil discourse in a manner that was disrespectful to the exchange and
hearing of diverse opinions in a safe area; and
WHEREAS, these disruptive events continued on numerous campuses across the
country and created a lack of confidence among the American people about the role of
American universities in the continued greatness of America; and
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WHEREAS, some universities have stayed committed to the values that make America
great and continued to reflect Tennessee values while advancing the fundamental right of free
speech and respect and following fundamental principles that respect all opinions of the
university community; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
FOURTEENTH GENERAL AS SEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that this General Assembly urges all Tennessee universities, both public and
private, to adopt essential principles such as institutional neutrality, free expression and civil
discourse, and the preservation of a campus that allows all viewpoints with respect.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this General Assembly commends Tennessee
colleges and universities, such as Vanderbilt University, that have adopted these values directly
into their bylaws and governing documents and urge other colleges and universities statewide to
do the same.