Perlman: 56 positions at UNL lost in budget; 'Better than expected'

In this economy and comparing the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's budget to other universities, UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman today said that although 56 positions at UNL will be lost in the 2009-210 budget, UNL achieved its goal in protecting its priorities.

"In announcing these proposed budget cuts, we have continued to emphasize our priorities and to preserve the core of the academic enterprise," Perlman said. "We have also resisted across-the-board reductions. And we have the lowest tuition increase for students in the last 10 years, at 4 percent."

But the $3.7 million budget shortfall nevertheless has required the UNL administration to propose the reduction of 56 staff and faculty positions for the coming budget year, including several positions that have been unfilled. Perlman said 28 people were notified today that their positions at the university are being eliminated.

"This is difficult, of course, for these individuals involved, who have served this university, and whose positions have now been eliminated because of our need to make ends meet," Perlman said. "We thank them for their service, and we will work with them as best we can to transition through this difficult time."

Perlman, in an e-mail to faculty and staff earlier today, said UNL will continue to protect its two major priorities to the greatest degree possible: undergraduate education and research. Both of these affect economic development for Nebraska by helping to keep bright young people in the state and attracting more of them to Nebraska, and by creating a more diverse economy, he said.

"In fashioning our budget cuts, we have continued to emphasize our priorities and to preserve the core of the academic enterprise. We have also resisted across-the-board reductions. The consequence of focusing on programs and activities is that not every college or unit will be treated equally."

UNL began preparing for this round of budget cuts last fall because of the international economic downturn, focusing on utility savings and providing another review over new hires. This process put the university in a better position, Perlman said.

"In some ways we can feel fortunate because our overall budget circumstance is far better than most of our colleagues at peer institutions," he said. "At the same time, we must confront the need to make reductions in our current budget, reductions that are not as large as we had earlier predicted, but difficult nonetheless. The challenge we have is that we have not fully recovered from the substantial budget reductions and program eliminations we implemented only four years ago."

Today's proposed staff reductions are subject to review by the Academic Planning Committee, a process not likely to be completed until the fall, and official notice to employees affected will occur Aug. 24.

"I have posted on my Web page a spreadsheet that outlines the budget cuts, as well as a narrative description that sets forth the rationale and anticipated impacts of the cuts. With this announcement, the Academic Program Committee will begin its own review of these proposals to determine if there will be hearings or other processes to examine the proposals. I welcome this examination and plan to work with the APC to assure that UNL is poised to continue the great progress that we have achieved in the recent past."

Perlman called this an "uncertain period," and challenged the university community to continue to prepare for leaner budget times and to continue to focus on the university's strengths.

"I have found it immensely gratifying to see the loyalty and dedication of our faculty, staff and students," he said.