University of Nebraska President L. Dennis Smith has sent the following letter to all University of Nebraska faculty and staff.
As you know, the University of Nebraska is facing a very difficult financial situation because of the continuing decline in state revenues. Over the next few weeks, budget cuts will be announced on all four campuses and in central administration. I am writing to ask your assistance in dealing with the understandable emotions that I know many faculty and staff are experiencing in this trying situation.
Faced with potentially harmful developments, it would be easy to see friction develop among departments, among colleges and among campuses. We would not be human if we did not react emotionally to what is clearly a potentially damaging situation for the university and its people. In difficult times, however, one of two things can happen — people can pull together or they can pull apart. This is a critical time — and we need to work together to ensure that we come out of it a strong university that remains focused on quality education, meaningful research and continued service to the state.
Faculty and staff members have a powerful voice in helping Nebraska citizens understand the effect severe cuts will have on opportunities for their children, their farms and ranches, their businesses, and their communities. I urge you to let your voices be heard.
In your communications, please help me reassure Nebraskans that:
- We will preserve and protect undergraduate education to the best of our ability. We want to keep Nebraska’s young people in the state and help them become the next generation of leaders.
- We will continue our efforts to enhance the quality of programs that we have identified in our academic prioritization process.
- We are also a key to recovery from the economic ills that currently affect the state. In addition to producing the state’s most highly educated work force, our research and service programs are essential to economic development.
This is not intended to downplay the very real consequences that will occur if the projected cuts are made. Additional job losses throughout our university community, tuition increases, and reduced services to students and citizens are just some of the immediate effects we can expect if we are unsuccessful in opposing deep cuts to our budget.
I want to assure you that we are not alone in fighting these cuts. Leaders in Nebraska’s agriculture community know first-hand how cuts to the university can affect outreach services and adversely impact their communities. They are urging legislators to minimize cuts.
Nebraska’s business leaders — including the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with many community chambers — recognize our role in educating the work force and in attracting new and expanded business enterprises. They, too, have voiced their support.
The alumni associations of our four campuses have joined together in urging their 127,000 members to support their alma mater.
And on each of our campuses, faculty, staff and student organizations have adopted or are proposing resolutions of support. Students from all four campuses have planned a rally for next Monday at the Capitol, and I am gratified by their demonstration of unity and support.
We need your help as well. With a unified voice, I am confident we can convince the state’s leaders to make higher education a top priority. With their support, and yours, we can continue our quest to be one of the best public universities in the United States.
Sincerely,
L. Dennis Smith
President