Education, Higher - As introduced, allows a public institution of higher education to suspend a faculty member, including tenured faculty members, without pay during the pendency of any investigation or hearings conducted to determine whether adequate cause for the faculty member's termination exists; requires the president or chief executive officer for a public institution of higher education who is selected or appointed by the institution's governing board on or after July 1, 2026, to be confirmed by the senate and house of representatives. - Amends TCA Title 49.

SB 1899 allows Tennessee public universities to suspend faculty members - including those with tenure - without pay while investigating potential termination. It directly affects tenured faculty and university leadership by permitting suspensions during termination proceedings. The bill also requires the Tennessee Senate and House to confirm appointments of university presidents and chief executives selected on or after July 1, 2026, with a 90-day confirmation window. If confirmation fails, the position becomes vacant. These changes apply to all public institutions of higher education governed by state boards.