May 20, 2025
Colleagues:
I am writing to inform you that the University of Nebraska system’s 2025-2026 operating budget will not include allocations for general salary increases this year. This decision, communicated to chancellors late last week, was made due to system-wide fiscal challenges. The FY2026 system budget will be presented to the Board of Regents for consideration at their June 19 meeting.
Although no across-the-board raises from any funding source will be granted, faculty pay increases related to tenure and promotion will be funded. In very limited circumstances, other salary increases related to critical market equity or retention will be considered with approval of the chancellor. Additionally, any salary increases of more than 5% will require pre-approval by the president.
Like you, I am disappointed that many talented and hard-working University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty and staff members will not receive salary increases this year. I am also sympathetic to the financial strain placed on our employees and families, as well as the challenges this presents to retaining and recruiting outstanding faculty and staff. Nevertheless, I am committed to a path forward that preserves the long tradition of academic, research and engagement excellence of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, which requires difficult but necessary decisions.
Thank you for all that you do for this institution and for our students and thank you for your ongoing commitment to excellence as we navigate the road ahead.
Rodney D. Bennett
Chancellor