NU Regents approve UNL’s plan to slash $27.5 million from its budget
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents finalized a plan for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to cut $27.5 million from its budget.
The Regents approved Chancellor Rodney Bennett’s plan, submitted to the board in November, to cut four academic programs from the university, for a total savings of $6,740,000.
SEE ALSO: UNL submits final $27.5 million budget reduction plan to NU Board of Regents for review
The board voted 8-4 to cut Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.
They also voted 11-0 — with one Regent abstaining — to eliminate Educational Administration.
The board voted 9-1 — with two Regents abstaining — to cut Statistics.
Finally, the Regents voted 10-1 — with one Regent abstaining — to eliminate Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design.
| Academic Program | Savings | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Earth and Atmospheric Sciences | $1,850,000 | The academic department and all programs will be eliminated. This includes the BS in Meteorology and Climatology, the BS in Geology, the MS in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, the PhD in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and the associated graduate minors. A portion of state-funding will be retained to strategically support faculty whose teaching, research, and service align with the needs and priorities of Nebraska. Select courses supporting federal requirements for meteorology careers, and the undergraduate minors in meteorology and geology will continue to be offered. Bachelor's degrees in Geology are offered at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Budget reductions will be achieved through the elimination of positions (13 FTE). Note: The APC recommended against this elimination. |
| Educational Administration | $1,690,000 | The academic department and all programs will be eliminated, except the MA in Educational Administration will be retained elsewhere in the college. Online degrees in Educational Administration are available at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska at Kearney. The PhD in Educational Administration at UNL is the only one in the state, however, the EdD degree is the primary credential required for principals and superintendents as well as community college presidents. Budget reductions will be achieved through the elimination of positions (15.5 FTE). Note: The APC supported the recommendation to make this elimination. Based on feedback received, the total budget savings has been reduced by $260,000. |
| Statistics | $1,750,000 | The academic department and all programs will be eliminated. This includes the BS in Statistics and Data Analytics, BS in Data Science offered through the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the MS in Statistics, and the PhD in Statistics. A portion of state funding will be retained to support the establishment of the Statistical and Data Analytics Collective. The Statistical and Data Analytics Collective will provide statistical expertise, academic course offerings, and research consulting to support research excellence, extramural funding competitiveness, and degree pathways in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers a BS, BA, and MS in Mathematics with a Statistics concentration and the University of Nebraska Medical Center offers both MS and PhD degrees in Biostatistics. Budget reductions will be achieved through the elimination of positions (12 FTE). Note: The APC recommended against this elimination. |
| Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design | $1,450,000 | The academic department and degree programs will be eliminated. This includes the bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and PhD in Human Sciences with a specialization in TMFD, the associated undergraduate and graduate minors, and the Quilt Studies Graduate Certificate. The International Quilt Museum is not funded by this department and will not be impacted. Budget reductions will be achieved through the elimination of positions (11 FTE). Note: The APC supported the recommendation to make this elimination. |
Part of Bennett’s budget reduction plan proposed realigning four academic departments into two new schools, resulting in total savings of $2 million.
The board voted 11-0 — with one Regent abstaining — to combine the departments of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication.
The board also voted 12-0 to combine the departments of Entomology and Plant Pathology.
| Department | Savings | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Departments of Entomology and Plant Pathology | $1,000,000 | The Departments of Entomology and Plant Pathology will be integrated within a new interdisciplinary school. This integration will ensure that teaching, research, and Nebraska Extension remain aligned with workforce priorities and the long-term vitality of Nebraska’s economy and communities. The faculty from the two existing units working alongside administration will have spring 2026 to develop the framework for the new school — including the name, operational guidelines, bylaws, promotion and tenure processes, and other faculty governance structures. All existing degrees, minors and certificates offered by the departments of Entomology and Plant Pathology will continue to be offered. Budget savings will be realized through the reduction of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) department head position and natural attrition, including the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) and approved phased retirements. Note: The APC supported the recommendation to realign these programs. |
| Departments of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication | $1,000,000 | The Departments of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication (ALEC) will be integrated within a new interdisciplinary school. This integration will ensure that expertise within these units is retained in IANR and teaching, research, and Nebraska Extension programming is aligned with workforce priorities and the long-term vitality of Nebraska’s economy and communities. The faculty from the two existing units working alongside administration will have Spring 2026 to develop the framework for the new school — including the name, operational guidelines, bylaws, promotion and tenure processes, and other faculty governance structures. All existing degrees, minors, and certificates offered by the Departments of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication will continue to be offered. Budget savings will be realized through an open staff position (1.0 FTE), the reduction of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) department head position, and natural attrition, including the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) and approved phased retirements. Note: The APC supported the recommendation to realign these programs. |
According to Bennett, each academic program was reviewed against performance metrics aligned with UNL standards and external accountability frameworks, including those set by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education.
SEE ALSO: UNL students, professors hold demonstration as $27.5 million budget cut looms
Bennett said programs that fell below performance standards and expectations were then reviewed, with additional qualitative measures in mind, including assessments related to mission, state workforce needs, and public service and extension, in consultation with academic leadership in each area.
Each of the six academic programs originally recommended for elimination fell below the baseline standards established by CCPE or UNL performance expectations — or both — in both instruction and research, according to Bennett.
“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,” Bennett said. “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.”
SEE ALSO: UNL Faculty Senate overwhelmingly passes vote of no confidence against Chancellor Bennett
