Dear Colleagues,
The University of Nebraska System is facing a significant budget deficit of $58M in the next two years. President Carter has developed a five-point plan with priorities and strategies to guide the university’s response. While at this time, and as reiterated by President Carter during the last Board of Regents meeting, UNO has not received a specific dollar amount to cut, we know that there will be a substantial reduction in our budget.
We intend on being as forthcoming and transparent as we can with you. Please join us at the Budget Town Hall on Friday, October 20 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Thompson Alumni Center to learn about UNO’s strategic response to this budget crisis.
As discussed in last week’s State of the University Address, the challenges facing higher education generally and UNO specifically go beyond any immediate budget crisis, we must prepare ourselves and the institution for a future radically different than the past. While more detail and time for discussion will be provided at the Budget Town Hall, below are brief updates on the major components of our Strategic Response:
Academic Program Vitality
Senior Vice Chancellor Phil He is leading the Academic Program Vitality Initiative which includes a comprehensive review of all existing academic programs. Given the specific requests from the President’s Office and the current budget situation, we must address short-term goals and outcomes. However, we also must have a long-term strategy and process to ensure the ongoing success of our academic programs.
Budget, Revenue, and Financial Planning
Vice Chancellor Carol Kirchner is leading our budget, revenue, and financial planning initiatives. The President’s five-point plan required immediate, temporary reductions as well as specific reviews and reports on zero-based budgeting for non-academic units. The plan also called for a review of five areas (Information Technology, Facilities, Admin/Business, PR/Communications, and Student Services) and their level of distribution and/or decentralization. These efforts are underway, and we are collaborating with units to complete the tasks by President Carter’s established deadlines.
You will have opportunities to ask questions at the town hall. Additionally, we encourage you to submit questions and concerns to budget-challenges@unomaha.edu. We also have established the Strategic Budget Response website where we will share messages and available information.
We welcome your input and engagement as we move forward with these critical initiatives. We know these are challenging times. We are committed to strategic and collaborative decision-making that not only preserves but strengthens UNO.
Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA
Chancellor
Phil He, Ph.D.
Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Carol Kirchner, MBA, CPA
Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance
