Tennessee Code Title 49. Education § 49-9-1502

(a) The University of Tennessee is authorized to establish an academic unit of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville for interdisciplinary research and education in collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

(b) The chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the director of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are authorized to enter into an agreement concerning collaboration in interdisciplinary research and education designed to accomplish the purposes of this part. This agreement shall address matters including, but not limited to, the appointment and oversight of graduate students, the appointment of ORNL staff as faculty, and the development of interdisciplinary curricula between the two (2) institutions. Nothing in this part shall limit in any way the authority of the United States department of energy with regard to the ownership and operation of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, nothing in this part shall be deemed or construed to abrogate in any way the applicability of federal law relative to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, its management and operation.