The effects on UNMC of a potential federal government shutdown — which could happen this weekend — depend largely on how long such a stoppage would last, campus officials said.
But a shutdown that lasts a few days or even a few weeks — such as those in 1995 and 1996 — would likely have minimal ramifications for the campus, said Deb Thomas, associate vice chancellor for business and finance.
Below, we look at how a shutdown could affect various areas of campus.
Research
New grants and letters of credit may not be funded and reimbursements on current grants likely will be halted while a shutdown lasts, Thomas said, but in the case of a short shutdown, this impact should not inconvenience campus investigators.
Education
Unless the shutdown is unusually long, the effect should be negligible on students as loans to pay for student tuition and fees were paid out in the fall, said Judy Walker, executive director of student services and financial aid.
“Students don’t really need to be concerned at this point,” Walker said.
Patient care
Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries would continue to receive benefits and clinicians would continue to receive reimbursements in the case of a shutdown, said Cory Shaw, chief executive officer for UNMC Physicians.
However, Shaw said it’s unclear how the shutdown would effect the processing of new Medicare applicants.
International travel
Delays in the issuance of passports for those who want to leave the country and of visas to those who look to travel here should be expected in the case of a shutdown, Thomas said.
“This is one area where a shutdown would be felt,” Thomas said.
Postal service
Postal services — both federal and campus — will not be disrupted by shutdown, Thomas said, as the U.S. Postal Service is independently funded and does not close during a shutdown.