On Sept. 12, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett provided the university Academic Planning Committee with a proposal for reducing UNL's budget by $27.5 million. The proposal includes the elimination of six academic programs, including Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Educational Administration and Statistics. Four academic programs—Entomology, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication—are proposed for realignment into two new schools.
The APC is currently in the process of gathering feedback from units that would be affected by the implementation of the proposal and the broader community. They are collecting public response via an online comment system, open now through Oct. 13, and hearings with the APC, which are ongoing through Oct. 10 (schedule). The Center for Mathematics, Science and Computer Education encourages individuals who want to support the affected units to submit feedback to the APC website.
Academic programs proposed for elimination include:
- Educational Administration (Hearing date: Thursday, Oct. 9)
The academic department would be eliminated as well as the following programs: the PhD/EdD in Educational Studies, with specialization in Educational Leadership and Higher Education; the EdD in Educational Administration; the Community College Leadership Graduate Certificate, and associated graduate minors. University leaders are considering a plan that would retain the MA in Educational Administration, and Administrative Certification Endorsements would be retained elsewhere in the college. Budget reductions will be achieved through the elimination of positions (17 FTE). - Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (Hearing date: Friday, Oct. 10)
The proposed plan would eliminate the academic department and all programs. This includes the BS in Meteorology & Climatology, the BS in Geology, the MS in Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, the PhD in Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, and all of the associated undergraduate and graduate minors. Budget reductions will be achieved through the elimination of positions (12 FTE). High-performing faculty from the department may qualify for rehire within other UNL units to preserve educational pathways and research expertise. - Statistics (Hearing date: Friday, Oct. 10)
The proposed plan would eliminate a standalone Department of Statistics offering BS, MS, and PhD degrees and moves the university toward a distributed model that leverages expertise embedded across IANR, UNL and the NU system. The plan proposes to strategically deploy a portion of the state-appropriated funds to continue to offer selected undergraduate and graduate courses and provide coordinated statistical consulting. Budget reductions would be achieved through the elimination of positions (12 FTE).
The academic programs proposed for realignment are:
- Departments of Entomology and Plant Pathology
The Departments of Entomology and Plant Pathology would be integrated within a new interdisciplinary school. This integration would ensure that teaching, research, and Extension remain aligned with workforce priorities and the long-term vitality of Nebraska’s economy and communities.
If the budget plan is approved, the faculty from the two units, working alongside administration, would have the 2026 spring semester to develop the framework for the new school—including the name, operational guidelines, bylaws, promotion and tenure processes, and other faculty governance structures. MS and PhD degrees in Entomology and Plant Pathology would continue to be offered. Budget savings would be realized through natural attrition, including the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP). - Departments of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication
The Departments of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication (ALEC) would be integrated within a new interdisciplinary school. This integration would ensure that expertise within these units is retained in IANR and teaching, research, and Extension programming is aligned with workforce priorities and the long-term vitality of Nebraska’s economy and communities.
If the budget plan is approved, the faculty from the two units, working alongside administration, would have the 2026 spring semester to develop the framework for the new school—including the name, operational guidelines, bylaws, promotion and tenure processes, and other faculty governance structures.
Current BS, MS, and PhD degree pathways would continue to be offered. Budget savings would be realized through an open staff position and natural attrition, including the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP).
If you want to advocate for (a) program(s) that would be affected by the proposed budget cuts, submit your feedback to the APC website by Oct. 13, ideally before the affected program's planned hearing date.