NU Board of Regents hear concerns on proposed budget cuts, approve interim president

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents heard concerns from the public about proposed budget cuts and approved the NU interim president at their meeting on Friday.

With a $58 million budget shortfall looming, the university system has been searching for ways to cut costs. Current NU President Ted Carter said campuses conducted zero-based budget reviews that were due to his office on Dec. 1. These reviews are intended to look at administrative functions, like information technology and facilities.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney announced proposed budget cuts that would reduce $2 million across areas like administration and departmental operating funds. UNK also proposed cutting nine programs and over 20 faculty positions.

One of those faculty positions up for elimination is the only position in the Montessori Early Education program, according to a UNK spokesperson.

Kathie Sweet, the interim director of the Montessori Teacher Education Programs at UNK, said LaVonne Plambeck, who she calls a pioneer for Montessori education, helped start the program on campus.

“I've heard from more than one UNK administrator that this would not be happening if LaVonne was here," Sweet said. “This is happening a short five years after her endowment, two years after her passing with her not here to defend the program. In my most honest and humble opinion, this is disrespect for this generous and iconic woman.”

A UNK spokesperson said in the five years since the program began, there have been three graduates. There are currently 13 students in the graduate program.

At the meeting, others spoke on different budgetary topics, including cuts impacting the theater and modern languages programs at UNK.

Faculty members from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln raised concerns about what they claim is a lack of communication during the budget process.

UNL is proposing $12 million dollars worth of cuts that would impact areas like the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and graduate student workers. These cuts are separate from the university system’s budget reductions.

The board approved Chris Kabourek, the current university system chief financial officer and vice president of business and finance, to take over as interim NU president at the end of the month.

He will lead the university as the search for a long-term replacement continues.

Regent Robert Schafer said Kabourek is equipped to help the university because of his close work on the budget.

“I think with where we're at budget wise, and everything going on at the university, this gives us our best opportunity to have a seamless transition,” Schafer said.

Kabourek will not be considered for the long term position.

Current NU President Ted Carter leaves at the end of the month. Regents voted to give him the title president emeritus.

Regents approved the hiring of Kiewit Building Group for the first step of the $450 million Memorial Stadium renovations. The starting phase will focus on bringing the stadium into ADA compliance.