April 11, 2025
Department was arrested after she allegedly informed the TSU bursar workers {that a} examine from ‘Indiana Transport’ was mailed for her to remain enrolled however despatched to the flawed tackle
Brokers on the Metro Nashville Police Division declare Starr Department cast a $36,741.07 examine to pay tuition at Tennessee State College (TSU), WKRN stories.
Department, 23, was arrested after she allegedly informed the TSU bursar workers {that a} examine from “Indiana Transport” was mailed to the college’s assortment company to ensure that her to remain enrolled for the 2025 spring semester however was delivered to the flawed tackle.
Earlier than requesting a maintain on her enrollment standing to be lifted—which might permit her to remain on campus—Department allegedly informed workers members {that a} alternative examine could be mailed to the right tackle.
Weeks handed. The HBCU nonetheless had not acquired the funds, and Indiana Transport notified the bursar’s workplace that the corporate by no means issued or approved the examine. Department then informed officers that her father offered the examine however failed to present proof or contact info for him to help her claims.
The ordeal resulted in Department being charged with felony nugatory examine over $10,000 however lower than $60,000 and felony forgery over $10,000 and fewer than $60,000.
Court docket paperwork revealed she was booked into jail on a $30,000 bond.
The timing is horrible as TSU is in survival mode. In accordance with Larger Ed Drive, interim President Dwayne Tucker stated throughout a gathering in early February 2025 that the college is on observe to expire of cash by April or Might 2025. The varsity is leaning on help from state lawmakers in hopes of staying afloat and having time to revamp its operations and funds for the long run.
“It’s a indisputable fact that we will’t pay our payments,” Tucker stated, who added that the college wouldn’t be open with out state help.
The HBCU confronted a lot of important monetary crises after lacking enrollment targets and working deficits. The varsity is projected to have a $46 million deficit by the tip of the fiscal 12 months. Recognized inefficient processes in monetary assist, advising, and enrollment techniques added to the struggles.
TSU launched a full scholarship program and not using a plan to fund it. The scholarship attracted college students: 8,198 college students for the 2023 fall semester in comparison with 7,774 in 2018. Nevertheless, TSU couldn’t afford to keep up these assist ranges.
Throughout fiscal 2022, $37 million was paid towards the scholarship utilizing federal pandemic emergency funds. When the funds ran dry, TSU was compelled to subject tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars} in institutional monetary assist, inflicting a heavy low cost on tuition.
Tucker plans to current a five-year turnaround plan to the state legislature, highlighting operations by way of the primary 12 months being financed by eradicating restrictions on near $150 million out of $250 million the state beforehand put aside for the college’s infrastructure.
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