LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A proposal by University of Nebraska-Lincoln leaders would tackle a more than $38 million budget shortfall by taking half that amount through staff and faculty cuts.
UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green's proposal would eliminate nearly $19 million in faculty and staff positions over the next three years, the Omaha World-Herald reported. It would also cut textile, dance and hospitality programs at the school.
Earlier this year, University of Nebraska President Ted Carter said the system's four campuses would need to bake at least $43 million in cuts in total to address a budget shortfall created by the coronavirus pandemic.
UNL's share of that was estimated at $25.8 million, but because of an existing budget shortfall created by lower-than-expected tuition revenue, UNL is looking to cut a total of 8%, or $38.2 million, from its budget in two phases.
The first phase was made earlier this week to trim $16.4 million from UNL's state-aided budget, which is funded through tuition revenue and state appropriations. It eliminated 60 nonacademic positions and enacted $6.9 million in operational savings.
The second phase seeks to slash $22.6 million, including $15.8 million in filled and vacant faculty positions and $3.1 million in staff positions. Another $2.7 million is proposed in library and graduate student and student worker cuts.