University of Nebraska at Omaha Achieves Budget Reduction Without Cutting Academic Programs
In a remarkable financial maneuver, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has successfully trimmed $1.9 million from its budget while preserving its academic programs intact. Chancellor Joanne Li detailed this achievement in a recent campus update, attributing the savings to the strategic elimination of vacant positions and forthcoming vacancies due to retirements, alongside resource redistribution.
“I am deeply thankful that we reached this goal with minimal impacts to academic programming and with no reductions of current full-time employees,” Li stated.
This budget adjustment is part of a broader $40 million cost-cutting initiative affecting University of Nebraska campuses. The Lincoln campus bore the brunt with a $21 million cut, further compounded by $6.5 million in proactive reductions, leading to the elimination of four academic programs, a move that has drawn significant opposition from students, faculty, and staff.
Meanwhile, the University of Nebraska at Kearney is contemplating the elimination of four degree programs to address its anticipated $4.5 million budget shortfall. This strategy includes cutting seven full-time and one part-time employee, 20 graduate assistant positions, and a vice chancellor role, pending approval from the Board of Regents.
In a similar vein, the University of Nebraska Medical Center has confirmed plans to implement 4% across-the-board reductions for each college and unit to maintain fiscal balance.
Chancellor Li also mentioned UNO’s initiative to form a financial planning task force aimed at enhancing financial strategic planning through diverse perspectives and transparency.
In upcoming decisions, the Board of Regents is set to vote on February 6 regarding the discontinuation of two undergraduate programs at UNO—art history and religious studies. Although these programs did not meet graduation rate requirements, both will continue in restructured forms. Art history has been integrated with studio art since August, with courses offered under the new major. Religious studies will transition to a global religious studies concentration within the international studies major, though 11 courses will be discontinued as they are deemed unnecessary.
Additionally, there is a proposal to transition seven business school concentrations, including accounting, entrepreneurship, and finance, into standalone majors. This change, driven by student and employer demand, incurs no additional costs.
NU President Jeffrey Gold emphasized the ongoing evaluation of degree programs, stating, “Our campuses are continually evaluating our degree programs to ensure our students are well-positioned to move into fulfilling careers that serve the needs of our communities and our state.”
