The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is on the verge of eliminating four major programs. In September, the UNL chancellor identified six academic departments for elimination. Despite overwhelming evidence that the metrics used to evaluate departments were critically flawed, leading to highly successful units being targeted for elimination, administrators claimed that these cuts were a necessary response to a financial crisis. The two smallest units were removed from the list, but the chancellor's final budget reduction proposal still includes the elimination of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Statistics, Educational Administration, and Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design.

These are the people who track and model tornadoes, giving Nebraskans warnings that save lives, and the people who analyze how to best conserve groundwater to feed our families. The experts who conduct research, powering medical advances, agriculture innovation, and the data-driven industries that keep Nebraska competitive. The educators who prepare our school leaders, ensuring quality education and stable communities. The designers and entrepreneurs building Nebraska's textile and merchandising sector, a growing hub for small business development and rural economic opportunity

Cutting these revenue-generating programs won't balance UNL's budget. It doesn't eliminate "waste"-it eliminates the expertise Nebraskans rely on. The consequences will be long-lasting: fewer experts to keep us safe, fewer trained leaders in our schools, fewer innovators driving local economies, and fewer opportunities for our students to stay and succeed in Nebraska.

This is not good stewardship. It is short-term thinking with real long-term costs.

The cuts hurt students. They especially hurt graduate students who seek out a rigorous educational experience at the state's flagship, land-grant institution to further their careers in textiles, merchandising, and fashion design; landscape architecture and community planning; statistics; meteorology and geology; or the leadership of schools, colleges, and universities. Grad students won't simply pick a new major at UNL; they will pick a new university, probably out of state, and probably won't come back.

On December 5, the Board of Regents will vote on whether or not to approve these proposed cuts.

Here's How You can Help

If you are nearby

The most important action you can take is to pack the room on December 5 at 9 a.m. CT at Varner Hall. Please sign up so we can get a headcount! Sign up to speak or just to be there to pack the room and rally outside! Be sure the collective voice of students, faculty, and taxpayers is heard!

Good: Show up in solidarity with the faculty, staff, and students who are losing their jobs and educational opportunities in these cuts. Better: Bring a friend (or two or three or four)! Best: Speak up against the cuts during the public comment period of the meeting. Anyone is able to speak for three minutes at the meeting on any item on the agenda.

Everyone else

Sign the chapter's petition telling regents to vote no.