Tennessee Code Title 49. Education § 49-7-154

(1) “Chief executive officer of a public institution of higher education” includes:

(2) “Finalists” means no fewer than three (3) candidates selected by a search committee as the group from which one (1) or more candidates must be recommended to the governing board or commission.

(c)(1) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), a search committee may select up to three (3) candidates to be recommended to the governing board or commission for the following positions:

(2) Prior to initiating a search to fill a position listed in subdivision (c)(1), the governing board or commission must hold a meeting that is open to the public and subject to the requirements of title 8, chapter 44, part 1, to establish the search process, a timeline, and a statement of qualifications for the position.

(3) No later than fifteen (15) calendar days before the final vote of the governing board or commission to appoint or elect a person to fill a position listed in subdivision (c)(1), records relating exclusively to the candidates identified pursuant to subdivision (c)(1) must not be treated as confidential and are open for public inspection, except for a record otherwise confidential under state or federal law.

(4) No later than seven (7) calendar days before a meeting at which the governing board or commission will vote to appoint or approve the appointment of a candidate to fill a position listed in subdivision (c)(1), the governing board or commission shall hold at least one (1) public forum with the candidate.

(5) A meeting at which the governing board or commission will vote to appoint or approve the appointment of an individual to fill a position identified in subdivision (c)(1) must be open to the public and subject to the requirements of title 8, chapter 44, part 1.