UNL Community Questions Budget Cut Plans

By Scout Nelson

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Academic Planning Committee recently held hearings to discuss proposed program eliminations and mergers aimed at addressing a $27.5 million budget reduction. The Lincoln campus faces a $21 million deficit, with an additional $6.5 million in proactive cuts planned.

University officials have proposed eliminating six programs—statistics, earth and atmospheric sciences, educational administration, landscape architecture, textile and fashion design, and community and regional planning—and merging others, including entomology with plant pathology and agricultural leadership, education, and communication with agricultural economics.

During the hearings, many faculty members expressed concerns about the metrics used to determine program viability. These included student credit hours, degrees awarded, and research output. Several departments argued that the system did not reflect community engagement, extension work, or interdisciplinary collaboration.

“We have to make sure that we're thinking carefully about how this university serves all of Nebraska,” said Executive Vice Chancellor Mark Button. “The data might be telling us one story, but why is the data telling us that story?”

Representatives from several departments, including entomology, agricultural economics, and educational administration, noted that their programs contribute significantly to Nebraska communities through research, extension work, and public engagement. Some argued that these contributions were overlooked in the evaluation process.

“The way the system views extension and research, to some extent, it just discounts it,” said one faculty member. “That's unfortunate if we want to be the nation’s strongest land-grant in the country.”

Faculty from the music, theater, and architecture departments also voiced concerns about transparency, workload increases, and accreditation risks linked to program consolidation.

The Academic Planning Committee will make a recommendation to the chancellor by October 24, followed by a decision from the Board of Regents, expected in December. No cuts will be final until approved by the board.

Photo Credit:gettyimages-d-keine