The UNMC Faculty Senate and UNMC Student Senate have approved the following resolutions regarding state funding for higher education.
UNMC Faculty Senate Resolution — passed March 3, 2003
WHEREAS the University of Nebraska is an invaluable resource to the State of Nebraska through its education, research, and service missions, and
WHEREAS the University of Nebraska is an economic driver of the financial welfare of the State, and
WHEREAS the Medical Center trains physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals throughout Nebraska through its state-wide campus sites and distance education, and
WHEREAS the Medical Center is a regional and national leader in clinical and basic research, and
WHEREAS the Medical Center provides high quality health care to citizens throughout the state, and
WHEREAS the proposed budget reductions will limit the educational opportunities of Nebraska’s students and impede the Medical Center in its ability to serve the people of Nebraska,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Faculty Senate of The University of Nebraska Medical Center applauds the leadership demonstrated by the members of the Appropriations Committee of the Nebraska Legislature in their attempts to maintain adequate state funding for higher education in the University of Nebraska’s Budget for the 2003-2005 biennium.
UNMC Student Senate Resolution — passed March 5, 2003
Whereas, the State of Nebraska faces a fiscal crisis and the Governor has recommended several large cuts to State aided institutions and agencies including the University of Nebraska
Whereas, the University of Nebraska Medical Center Student Senate (UNMCSS) understands that the University of Nebraska will likely have its budget cut again
Whereas, the UNMCSS must commend the State Legislature and the Appropriations Committee for helping to minimize the cuts in previous years
Whereas, the UNMCSS believes that the University of Nebraska cannot continue to maintain excellence in the areas of academics, research, and service, with continued cuts in funding
Whereas, the UNMCSS knows that tuition is a source of revenue for the University of Nebraska and that the amount of State funding cut from the budget directly affects the amount that tuition will be increased
Whereas, the UNMCSS maintains that the cost of higher education is increasing at an alarming rate, that the accessibility to institutions of higher learning is decreasing for many potential students, and that many graduates seek out-of-state employment to cover the costs of increasing student indebtedness
Whereas, the UNMCSS further maintains that without adequate funding, the University loses the ability to recruit, hire, and retain outstanding faculty with competitive salaries and salary increases, and that this in turn causes morale on the campuses to deteriorate, the education process to be inhibited, and the quality of education to decrease immeasurably
Whereas, the UNMCSS believes that the University of Nebraska is a key economic driver for the State of Nebraska
Now, therefore be it resolved the UNMCSS encourages the Appropriations Committee and the State Legislature to support a budget plan that will not hinder the ability of the University of Nebraska to provide its students with an outstanding and affordable education or to be a valuable institution for State of Nebraska in the areas of academics, research, service, and economic development.