University of Nebraska-Lincoln Announces Budget Plan with Strategic Cuts
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) has revealed its final budget reduction strategy, presenting significant changes aimed at financial sustainability. Chancellor Rodney Bennett announced the plan, highlighting that two programs previously slated for elimination will be preserved.
Initially, six academic programs were considered for termination. However, the current proposal, awaiting approval from the Board of Regents, outlines the elimination of four programs to achieve cost savings of $6.7 million. The affected programs include:
- Earth and atmospheric sciences
- Educational administration
- Statistics
- Textiles, merchandising and fashion design
The College of Architecture will face a $700,000 budget reduction, an amount initially intended to be saved by cutting landscape architecture and community and regional planning.
The College of Fine and Performing Arts will experience a $350,000 budget cut. This adjustment spares the college from more severe reductions that could have led to a shared director position between its music and theatre schools.
Adjustments to eliminating the educational administration program now involve the removal of 15.5 positions instead of 17, saving $260,000 less than initially planned. These savings will be compensated by reducing administrative and staff efficiencies in the offices of the chancellor and vice chancellor, as well as the business and finance department.
Chancellor Bennett communicated the changes in an email to faculty and staff, emphasizing that modifications to the original $27.5 million budget reduction plan were made following feedback from the university’s Academic Planning Committee.
Bennett stated, “I have a strong conviction that even though what we are doing is very difficult, it is in the best interest of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s long-term future. These are challenging times in higher education, and we must position ourselves in a place of financial sustainability to ensure we can continue delivering excellence in student success, research and service to communities throughout our state.”
The announcement follows the UNL Faculty Senate’s recent motion to consider a ‘no-confidence’ resolution against Bennett. This motion raises concerns over the chancellor’s decision-making process, accusing it of relying on flawed metrics and lacking proper faculty involvement. A vote on this motion is scheduled for Nov. 18.
The budget reduction process has created tension between faculty and administration, with ongoing disagreements. Sarah Zuckerman, president of the UNL chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), criticized the shifting criteria for budget cuts, noting, “The chancellor says these cuts are based on metrics and measures, but these are things that were never shared with faculty.”
An AAUP financial review recently reported that UNL is in “good financial health,” citing revenues exceeding expenses. Faculty and community members protested during a Nebraska-Northwestern game to highlight their opposition to the cuts.
Bennett explained that program benchmarks were developed with input from deans, college leaders, department heads, and the Academic Planning Committee (APC). Programs that did not meet these benchmarks were further assessed using qualitative metrics, including workforce and public service considerations.
The Board of Regents is scheduled to vote on the final budget plan on Dec. 5.
