On Sept. 12, Chancellor Rodney D. Bennet provided a proposal to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Academic Planning Committee (APC), which would reduce UNL’s budget by approximately $27.5M.
The proposal details what programs and offices will be cut or reduced to save money. Administrative reductions, efficiencies and voluntary separation incentive payments make up the majority, $17 250 000, of the budget cuts; however, six programs will be cut, four academic departments will be turned into two, and two colleges will have their budgets reduced.
Sophomore Sydney Hale, an art major at UNL, experienced budget cuts last year when her Russian minor was cut. UNL is the only Big Ten school to eliminate its Russian program, and Hale explains there is only one Russian class available this year, so students can fulfill their language requirements, “then there will be no more Russian language [program] period.”
Now, Community and Regional planning, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Educational Administration, Landscape Architecture, Statistics and Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design are set to be cut as well. Among these six programs are a combined three PhD programs, four master’s degrees, three certificates, and various majors and minors.
Hale explained that a friend of hers, program, Textiles and Merchandising, is “on the cutting block for the nth time, as well as meteorology, certain earth science, etc.” A total of 58 full-time equivalent employees will have their jobs eliminated as well.
The College of Fine and Performing Arts, which Hale belongs to, is also set to have “administrative and staff efficiencies.” “Which,” Hale said, “I can only assume meant our faculty might be changing, which is alarming, or they won’t be letting us have more grad students.” The Colleges of Engineering and Arts and Sciences will both have their budgets reduced, including funding for graduate assistantships.
Hearings regarding the university’s budget and future are scheduled between Oct 1-10. The hearings will be livestreamed as the University aims to minimize potential disruption and allow for respectful and thoughtful dialogue. Upon the completion of the hearings, Chancellor Bennet will create a final plan for consideration by the APC and the Board of Regents.
Universities and colleges worldwide are struggling with declining enrollment; however, Doane reported one of its strongest enrollment years in over a decade. President Roger Hughes attributes this to Doane’s community that “invests in the student experience.”
