SB0713: Remove Outdated Military Credit Evaluation Reporting Requirement
TN Gen. Assy Bill: SB0713
Bill Summary
- Provision Removal: Eliminates an obsolete requirement that mandated the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to submit a report.
- Report Details: The report was to detail progress made in formalizing the uniform evaluation process for military credit.
- Credential Alignment: Assessment of how the awarded military credit facilitates efficient and timely credential completion in line with state goals.
- Historical Timeline: The report was originally due on or before February 15, 2019.
Risks & Considerations
- The removal of the obsolete provision regarding the evaluation of military credit does not directly impact current operations or policies at Vanderbilt University. However, it highlights the importance of keeping educational policies and reporting requirements up to date, which could influence future legislative actions.
- While this specific change is administrative, it underscores the need for continuous evaluation of credit transfer processes, particularly for non-traditional students such as veterans. Vanderbilt may need to ensure its own policies remain aligned with state goals for credential completion.
- There is a potential risk that without formalized processes for evaluating military credit, there could be inconsistencies in how credits are awarded, which might affect the university’s ability to attract and support veteran students.
Impacted Programs
- Office of the University Registrar may need to review and ensure that its credit evaluation processes for military and other non-traditional credits are robust and transparent, even in the absence of state-mandated reporting.
- Vanderbilt’s Veterans Resource Center could play a key role in advocating for and supporting veteran students, ensuring they receive appropriate credit for their military experience.
Financial Impact
- There is no immediate financial impact from the removal of this provision. However, maintaining efficient credit evaluation processes could enhance Vanderbilt’s appeal to veteran students, potentially affecting enrollment and associated tuition revenue.
- Ensuring alignment with state goals for credential completion may open up opportunities for state funding or grants aimed at supporting veteran education and credit transfer initiatives.
Relevance Score: 2 (Minor considerations for the university to address, primarily related to maintaining effective credit evaluation processes.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Financial Aid Office should evaluate the implications of the “Speak UP, Tennessee Scholarship Act” which provides scholarships for students demonstrating artistic excellence in spoken word poetry. This could impact the university’s recruitment strategies and financial aid offerings, particularly for students with artistic talents.
- The Tennessee Higher Education Commission changes, including the addition of the executive director to the selection process for chief executive officers, should be monitored by Vanderbilt’s administration. Understanding these changes will be crucial for aligning with state-level governance and maintaining influence in higher education policy.
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Institutional Research should prepare to contribute to the required reports on tuition discounts and waivers. This will involve evaluating the utilization, state financial support, and student academic outcomes, which could affect the university’s financial planning and policy development.
Opportunities
- The introduction of the “Speak UP, Tennessee Scholarship Act” offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Department of English and Creative Writing to engage with high school students excelling in spoken word poetry. This could lead to partnerships and outreach programs that enhance the university’s visibility and attract talented students.
- The expanded quality non-degree credentials for the Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Continuing Education Programs to develop new courses and certifications. This could attract a broader range of students seeking technical skills and enhance the university’s offerings in non-degree education.
Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures due to changes in scholarship opportunities and governance structures.)
Timeline for Implementation
N/A – The directive removes an obsolete provision that referenced a past deadline (February 15, 2019), and thus no current timeline for compliance exists.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- Tennessee Higher Education Commission: The commission is directly affected as the bill removes its requirement to submit a report detailing progress on the formalization of military credit evaluation processes, thereby eliminating an outdated reporting obligation.
- Legislative Committees with Jurisdiction over Education: These committees, which previously received the report on military credit evaluation progress, are also impacted as the bill nullifies the need for such reporting.
Relevance Score: 1 (Only 1 or 2 agencies are directly impacted by the legislative change.)
Responsible Officials
- N/A – No active directive is imposed; the provision removed a requirement that was already obsolete.
Relevance Score: 1 (The removal of an outdated requirement does not impose new directives on any official.)