Dear UNL Campus Community,
Thank you to those who participated in the listening session yesterday. We very much appreciated the opportunity to listen and hear from so many on critically important topics. We are also writing to be clear in response to some of the topics raised during the session.
During a highly difficult process to reduce the UNL budget deficit, we wholeheartedly support the leadership team and the values that guided their work, even as we recognize the profound effect these decisions have had on our academic community. UNL’s leadership team acted with integrity and care, making decisions based on quantitative and qualitative assessment amid significant financial constraints. These were not easy choices, and they were made with a sincere effort to minimize harm while preserving the long-term strength of the institution.
We also want to be transparent that the recommendations for programmatic reductions will continue to move forward, given that they have been reviewed and approved by the Board. While this does not lessen the impact of these decisions, we believe it is important to be clear about where we are in the process as we continue to listen, support one another, and identify ways to mitigate harm wherever possible.
We will, along with the UNL Executive Leadership Team, be working hard every day to continue to build trust and nurture a sense of community among all who work and study at UNL
Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.
President, University of Nebraska System
Katherine S. Ankerson
Interim Chancellor