NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee State University leaders got to hear directly from community members in a call to action to show support.
Tuesday night there was a town hall organized by the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators at the Pleasant Green Baptist Church on Jefferson Street.
They wanted to tackle the university's financial challenges and plan for the future. It also gave people a chance to speak directly with TSU leaders.
It comes after a warning from state lawmakers about the school's dire financial condition.
Interim leaders say they're working on solutions but also point to chronic underfunding from the state.
TSU Interim President Dwayne Tucker revealed a 5-year plan to get back on track but says a few people can't do it alone.
"When people say what can I do...my #1 focus is do all those things we said we're going to do actually happen and make sure come on is accountable to make it happen. I feel confident we can make that happen," said Tucker.
The interim president added that the university has re-negotiated some contracts to save more money.
Some lawmakers have suggested the school should sell its Avon Williams campus in downtown Nashville, but President Tucker says that's not on the table.
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Fundraising efforts are underway in Brownsville and Nutbush, TN to build a statue for a major superstar who was raised there, Anna Mae Bullock. You probably know her by her stage name, Tina Turner. I was a huge fan of Tina and glad to see efforts are underway to showcase more of her ties to West Tennessee.
-Lelan Statom
