Nebraska

funding priorities for higher education In 2017, the president of the Nebraska University system, Hank Bounds, brought together faculty, staff and administrators and assigned them to eight budgetresponse teams charged with examining NU processes, especially in the areas of human resources, printing, procurement and travel. These teams identified areas in which savings were thought to be achievable. The goal—to cut $22 million to reduce a $42 million budget gap. Over time, plans to accomplish those savings have been put into place and included the elimination of 118 positions across the NU system. Although progress is on-going, future losses in state aid, or declining tuition revenue, could move the cuts from the areas currently affected into the classroom (Dunker, 2018). NU continues to plan for future needs and deficits. Following two years of declining state aid, the University of Nebraska has requested an increase in its appropriation by the Nebraska Legislature for the next two years. The proposal — for 3% growth in 2019-20 and 3.7% in 2020-21 — recently was shared with the Nebraska University Board of Regents. Much of the requested increase is to be set aside for wages and benefits, as directed by the Department of Administrative Services. Of the proposed $39 million increase in state aid (from $571 million this year to $610 million for 2020-21) more than 85% will go to “adjustments for its 12,000-plus full-time employees across the state” (Guest Opinion, August 13, 2018).