The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is proposing a significant budget cut of $27.5 million. This plan includes reductions in teaching positions and academic programs, even as an independent analysis highlights the university's strong financial health and a notable increase in non-teaching staff salaries.
Professors at UNL and financial analysts are raising concerns about the administration's priorities. They point to data showing instructional budgets bearing the brunt of proposed cuts, while non-instructional salaries have seen substantial growth.
Key Takeaways
- UNL proposes a $27.5 million budget reduction.
- Instructional budget accounts for 20% of total but nearly 70% of proposed cuts.
- Full-time instructional staff decreased by almost 8%.
- Non-instructional staff increased by almost 8%.
- Instructional salaries rose 4.5%, while non-teaching salaries surged by almost 32%.
- UNL ranks in the top 8% financially among US higher education institutions.
Proposed Cuts Target Instruction
Chancellor Rodney Bennett's budget proposal aims to reduce the university's overall spending by $27.5 million. While the total instructional budget makes up approximately 20% of the university's entire budget, it is slated to absorb nearly 70% of these proposed cuts. This disparity has drawn sharp criticism from faculty members and independent financial experts.
An independent financial analysis, conducted by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), examined UNL's finances over the past five years. This nearly 50-page report was presented to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in December. The findings suggest a clear trend of de-prioritizing direct instruction.
"It appears that the administration is doubling-down on the recent history of deprioritizing instruction and the students at the institution," said Dr. Bonnie Fox Garrity, an AAUP financial analyst and professor of Business at D’Youville University. "It is time to defend that instruction and resist cuts that would undermine the educational mission."
Shifting Staffing Priorities
The analysis reveals significant shifts in staffing levels and salary allocations at UNL. Over the last five years, the number of full-time instructional employees has declined by almost 8%. During the same period, the number of non-instructional staff members grew by nearly the exact same amount.
Staffing Snapshot
- Full-time instructional staff: Down almost 8%
- Non-instructional staff: Up almost 8%
This trend suggests a strategic shift in the university's workforce composition. Faculty members express concern that this change directly impacts the core educational experience for students.
Significant Salary Discrepancies Emerge
Beyond staffing numbers, the AAUP study also highlighted a substantial difference in salary increases between instructional and non-teaching personnel. Over the five-year period analyzed, instructional salaries saw an increase of 4.5%.
In stark contrast, salaries for non-teaching staff members surged by almost 32%. This significant discrepancy has intensified concerns among professors regarding the university's spending priorities and its commitment to its primary educational mission.
Budget Background
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's budget proposal seeks to cut $27.5 million. This comes despite the university's robust financial health, ranking in the top 8% of higher education institutions nationally. State budget appropriations to UNL have also increased in recent years, adding another layer of complexity to the proposed cuts.
Faculty Express Uncertainty and Harm
The lack of clear metrics for these budget decisions has created widespread uncertainty among faculty. Even departments not currently targeted for cuts are feeling the impact.
Kelsy Burke, a professor in the Sociology Department, articulated this concern. She noted that without clear metrics, faculty do not know if their programs might be targeted in the future. This instability, she believes, is harmful to the university's long-term health and academic environment.
Professors believe these budget decisions send a strong message about UNL's priorities. They are advocating for greater transparency from the administration and more data to justify the proposed cuts, especially those impacting instructional roles.
Calls for Transparency and Defense of Instruction
As the University of Nebraska Board of Regents meeting approaches in December, faculty and departments continue to push for more information. They seek a clearer understanding of the rationale behind the proposed budget reductions and the disproportionate impact on instructional areas.
The ongoing discussions underscore a broader debate within higher education about resource allocation. Universities must balance administrative needs with their core mission of teaching and research. The situation at UNL highlights the tensions that can arise when these priorities appear to diverge.
Advocates for faculty and students emphasize the importance of defending the instructional mission. They argue that cuts to teaching staff and academic programs directly affect the quality of education provided to students, potentially undermining the institution's long-term success and reputation.
