In the following letter to university faculty and staff, University of Nebraska President L. Dennis Smith, Ph.D., discusses budget cuts and the future of the university.
To: Faculty and staff, University of Nebraska
From:L. Dennis Smith, President
Date: May 16, 2002
Re: Budget cuts and the future of the university
The past six months have been challenging, to say the least. Faced with unprecedented shortfalls in state revenues, our state legislature and governor have had to make significant cuts in funds for the University of Nebraska. Due to tremendous support and work by many individuals inside and outside the university, we were able to keep these cuts from being as severe as they might have been. However, there is no question that cutting more than $18.5 million from our 2002-2003 budget will have a negative impact.
Chancellors on each campus are making difficult decisions about how these cuts will be applied. Good programs will be closed down. Valuable services will no longer be available to faculty, students and citizens of our state. At least 150 jobs will be eliminated.
Despite these cuts, we are continuing to work toward our goal of becoming one of the top public universities in the country, and I am confident we will achieve it. Here’s why.
- We have set our academic priorities and we are investing in them.
- We have outstanding and dedicated faculty on all four campuses.
- We are aggressively recruiting top students and faculty.
- We have significant support among leaders of business, government and communities — people who recognize the role the university plays in building and keeping a strong economy in the state, and who support our mission.
The financial challenges are almost certain to continue. For example, without the tax increases passed by the legislature, our cuts surely would have been deeper. Unfortunately, a petition drive has been initiated to roll back the tax increases. If this drive succeeds, the university will likely face additional cuts. Moreover, state revenues are still coming in below projections, which makes the financial situation even more precarious as we head into the next budget setting session of the Legislature.
In difficult times, it is easy to become discouraged. It is essential that we not allow financial stresses to overshadow our accomplishments and the resulting pride we have in the university, in our campuses, our faculty and our students. Over the next year, I encourage each of you to become a positive voice for the achievements and contributions we are making, and to demonstrate why we merit the continued support and confidence of Nebraskans.
I am exceptionally proud of this university and I thank you for all you are doing to make it one of the best in the country.