Dear UNL campus community,
As you know, we are in the midst of managing a $27.5 million budget reduction composed of administrative reductions, efficiencies, VSIP, department realignments, and academic and operational reductions across UNL. A portion of the budget reduction, implemented during 2025, and approved by the Board of Regents at their December 5, 2025, meeting, includes the elimination of four academic units (the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of Educational Administration, Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design, and the Department of Statistics). These academic program eliminations account for $6.74M of the $27.5M overall reduction.
I believe it is important to inform you that earlier today we initiated the process of notifying faculty and staff from the four academic units that will not be retained of their separation from UNL. I recognize the gravity this necessary notification and decision carries for our affected colleagues and students. We are extending the faculty separation date to the end of the 2026-27 academic year to recognize the challenges of mid-year separations for faculty and avoid mid-year changes for students progressing toward degree completion.
Transition coordinators are working diligently within the academic units and with students to finalize their degree completion pathways. Students will receive degree completion plans no later than March 1 for undergraduates, and no later than March 23 for graduate students. These students will be given priority registration for the fall 2026 term. We appreciate the faculty and staff who are working collaboratively to develop degree completion pathways for impacted students.
Information relevant to academic program eliminations can be accessed on the UNL Budget Web Page. The Employee Assistance Program (https://eap.unl.edu/) provides confidential assistance to university employees and their immediate family members at no charge. Counseling and Psychological Services (https://caps.unl.edu/) provides confidential counseling and mental health support to students. Student Advocacy and Support (https://studentadvocacy.unl.edu/) is also available to support and connect students with the right campus resources.
Program eliminations forever change a university, and we recognize the significant impact on those directly affected, as we empathize with our colleagues and friends.
Katherine S. Ankerson
Interim Chancellor