Joint accreditation between the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln should allow for the two institutions to become stronger on a national level, Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davis, MD, said during this month’s all-campus forum.
Dr. Davies addressed the recently approved joint accreditation among other topics during the forum, which was held on Dec. 16 at the UNMC College of Dentistry in Lincoln.
The structural realignment allows for key institutional metrics such as enrollment, degrees awarded, faculty honors and research spending to be reported together. UNL and UNMC shared accreditation from 1913 to 1968.
The move also opens the door to being invited back into the Association of American Universities, Dr. Davies said.
The accreditation is not a full merger, Dr. Davies said. Both campuses would continue to have separate leadership, budgets, senates and advisory councils.
“I think it’s a win-win and will give us greater prestige at national meetings,” Dr. Davies said.
During the forum, Dr. Davies was joined by Jon Watts, senior associate vice president and chief operating officer for the University of Nebraska System, and Gerard Kugel, DMD, PhD, dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry.
Dr. Kugel gave an update on the college, including his goals of fostering more collaboration between researchers and clinicians at the college level. Dr. Kugel said he and other leaders are looking to improve efficiencies and clinics within the college, including evaluating curriculum and the way things are taught.
Watts said he hopes to be collaborative in his systemwide role. Watts, who began his current role in September, spent nearly 10 years as chief business officer at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. That role helped him understand issues on a campus level. In his new position, he said he plans on bringing leaders together to work through issues and concerns as a team.
Dr. Davies also:
- Commended the campus community for participating in the Big Ten “We Give Blood” Challenge. Despite a second-place finish, nearly 250,000 lives were impacted by the campaign. Dr. Davies called it “a win no matter what.”
- Congratulated Don Klepser, PhD, on being named the permanent Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean of the UNMC College of Pharmacy.
- Said university leaders will work to protect the budget and stress the value of the university during the Nebraska Legislature’s 60-day session, which starts in January. Leaders also will work to preserve the Health Care Cash Fund, which supports research.
- Thanked those who worked on the incident command team in the aftermath of the fire on the sixth floor of the Durham Research Center. Restoration work is ongoing.
- Announced a new internal website that will allow the campus community to track progress on Project Health. It will offer construction updates, frequently asked questions and contact information.
Dr. Davies closed with holiday wishes and thanks for the UNMC community.
“We are only as good as our faculty. We are only as good as our staff. We are only as good as our students. UNMC is an incredible organization,” he said. “I am so grateful to have the honor and privilege to serve as interim chancellor. Not because of the title, but because of each of you. I wish you an extraordinary holiday time.”