‘Today decision was about winning’: NU Regents advance joint accreditation for UNL, UNMC

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center are one step closer to joint accreditation.

The Nebraska Board of Regents held a special session on Friday, unanimously approving a motion that gives NU President Jeffrey Gold the authority to determine the final effective date of the new joint accreditation.

The accreditation was approved by the Higher Learning Commission earlier this month, but many questions remained about why the merger occurred.

The special session provided answers to that inquiry; simply put, for academic growth and better funding.

“Today’s decision was about winning. Winning not just for the University of Nebraska but for the state of Nebraska,” said one Regent via livestream.

Many speakers focused on the good that can come from the decision.

Another regent raised issues that higher education nationwide has faced, and the fact that NU hasn’t cut any campuses is a reason to be grateful.

“Penn State cut seven campuses,” he said, adding that we are lucky to still have the system of NU.

Many said the merger helps the school system’s overall goals.

University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold said, “This is an important step in our University’s Odyssey to the extraordinary.”

Interim chancellor at UNMC, Dr. Dele Davies, added that there will be more opportunities for students at both institutions, including in medical research.

Olivia Johnson is a future UNMC student, enrolled in their one-year fast-track program to become a nurse.

She said she supports the merger because of the expansion that it brings.

“I think it will encourage more students to get into nursing,” said Johnson.

Blake Aspen, a law student at the University of Nebraska College of Law, also foresees a positive impact from the merger.

“There are benefits to being part of the AAU, and I think it’s really well needed for the campus right now,” he said.

Being in the Association of American Universities has historically been viewed as a sign of a strong school system, and many say the merger will keep Nebraska competitive.