Department of Political and Global Affairs
Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL)
The MTSU Student Government Association hosts the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature program and team.
Please visit the SGA webpage to see more information about TISL. You can also visit TISL’s website here.
What is TISL? – The Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) is a forum for students to exchange ideas, express their opinions, and learn how our state government works. TISL’s Senate and House of Representatives, which first convened in 1966, meet in the legislative chambers of the State Capitol each November.
How To Get Involved? – Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) is a four-day legislative session each November in the State Capitol. This session is for campus leaders to debate and vote on public issues. We encourage participants to write their own legislation prior to attending the session. There are limited spots for students to participate. Applications will be available this fall.
PGA often sees numerous students participate in TISL due to the nature of the program relating to legislative, judicial, lobbying, and media interests.
Former state Rep. Beth Harwell, the state’s first female speaker of the House of Representatives as well as a Distinguished Visiting Professor in Political Science at MTSU, spoke at the opening ceremony on the House floor on Nov. 21, 2024.
“As I look out, there’s no doubt in my mind that I’m looking out at future statesmen — future leaders of our state that will do just as great of things as those three individuals that I mentioned did,” Harwell said. “What a wonderful opportunity to learn about the legislative process.”
She concluded her address by drawing upon the long-term impact of the event, “This is your future, and this is a wonderful opportunity to learn about how you can influence that — how you can have input into the political process. I encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful program.”
AMC3
Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge is a chance for undergraduate students to argue appellate cases against other Tennessee colleges and universities. More information will be available this fall.
TISL News
MTSU students help ‘take over’ state Capitol chambers for Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature
A cohort of Middle Tennessee State University students recently convened at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville to learn about local government, exchange ideas and opinions and propose legislation at the 55th General Assembly of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, also known as TISL.[ Read More ]
MTSU students earn third straight best delegation honor at Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature
Being named “Best House Delegation” from all of Tennessee’s colleges and universities and earning two individual honors capped an eventful Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature meeting for Middle Tennessee State University students attending the 54th General Assembly at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tennessee. The Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, or TISL, is a four-day forum in late fall for [ Read More ]