Tennessee enacted legislation overhauling how public institutions handle faculty misconduct by tightening the boundary between tenure decisions and disciplinary actions. The new law requires governing boards to create policies distinguishing between tenure and discipline, and mandates that termination or suspension based on misconduct be decided by the institution’s chief academic officer or chief executive officer rather than by faculty vote. Supporters said the change prevents misuse of tenure as a shield against consequences, while critics argued it weakens tenure by reducing due process protections previously embedded in disciplinary procedures. The bill also directs institutions to preserve neutrality, free expression, and civil discourse while maintaining a campus climate that allows discussion of viewpoints—adding a compliance layer for campuses managing both disciplinary risk and academic freedom obligations.