During the March 12 chancellor’s forum, UNMC leaders shared updates on federal accessibility requirements, faculty mentoring and several campus initiatives, while also answering questions from faculty and staff.
Medical center employees can see a recording of the forum here.
Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies opened the forum by recognizing 2026 Varner Educator Laureate Award recipient, Abbey Fingeret, MD, PhD, and acknowledging the loss of longtime UNMC supporter Michael Yanney, whose philanthropy helped support major initiatives including the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and the Lauritzen Outpatient Center.
A major topic during the forum was the upcoming federal deadline for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II rule governing digital accessibility.
Jane Meza, PhD, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the new requirement applies to digital materials shared by the institution and is intended to ensure that documents, websites and course materials are accessible to all users.
“This is a federal guideline that we’re all required to participate in as a public institution,” Dr. Meza said. “But it’s also about making our work accessible so that people don’t have to ask for it; it’s already there for them.”
The compliance deadline for institutions such as UNMC is April 24.
Dr. Meza acknowledged concerns associated with remediating digital content. She encouraged campus units to reach out for assistance, noting that the university has created resources and support systems to help departments meet the requirements.
Dr. Davies emphasized that accessibility compliance is a shared responsibility across the institution.
Dr. Meza also provided an update on UNMC’s new faculty mentoring program, designed to help faculty connect with mentors beyond their own departments or colleges and urged faculty to consider signing up to be a mentor or mentee.
In other areas, Dr. Davies:
- Shared an update on leadership searches, noting that the search committee for the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions dean identified Tammy Webster, PhD, as the finalist for the position.
- Discussed progress in the search for UNMC’s next permanent chancellor. A position profile currently is being developed following campus listening sessions, after which candidates will be invited to participate in a vetting process that will include visits with faculty, staff and students across the University of Nebraska System.
- Recapped last week’s trip to Washington, D.C., and the announcement by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education around nutrition curriculum.
- Discussed the strategic plan. Draft updates to the strategic plan will be shared with faculty, staff and students later this spring for feedback before the next version is finalized in June and implemented July 1.
- Provided an update on the legislative session, including a potential $3.5 million cut to research at UNMC.
- Highlighted the closure of Farnam Street between 40th and 44th Street beginning Monday, March 16, for three days. Traffic will be restricted to one lane for two to three weeks.
- Provided an update on Nebraska Medicine governance, saying all parties are committed to the shared mission of providing high-quality patient care.
- Addressed the Joint Institutional Accreditation for UNMC and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, effective sometime between June 8-18.
- Announced leasing opportunities are available for UNMC students at the new housing facility, UNMC Residences, opening in August.
- Discussed campus safety initiatives.
- Thanked everyone who participated in “I Love NU Advocacy Day” in Lincoln last week.
- Discussed Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr.’s campus visit last month. The mayor proclaimed Feb. 23 as “UNMC Community Engagement Day.”
Dr. Davies closed the forum by thanking faculty, staff and students for their continued resilience and commitment to UNMC’s mission.