Governor signs state budget package

Gov. Pete Ricketts on Wednesday signed the state budget package for 2015-17, including important support for the University of Nebraska that will allow the university to continue to meet key goals for affordability and quality.

The budget package increases state funding to the university by 3.9 percent in 2015-16 and 3.4 percent in 2016-17. It provides support for core operations and several multi-campus initiatives that will advance Nebraska’s economic competitiveness.

“The budget package signed by Gov. Ricketts represents an important investment in affordable, high-quality education at the University of Nebraska,” said University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds, Ph.D. “I am grateful to the governor for his support and look forward to many more years of working together to achieve our shared goals for education and economic development. I also want to thank Chairman (Heath) Mello, his colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, and members of the Legislature for their hard work and recognition of the important role the university plays in the state’s success.

“We are pleased that the legislature’s recommendation for university’s budget was approved by the governor. The new budget enables UNMC to stay on the leading edge of health care education while also contributing to the health and economic development of our state.” UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.

UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.

“The support the legislature and governor have provided to the university will allow us to meet some of our most important objectives. One, keep tuition affordable for students and families. Two, fund the core operations of the university, including investments in talent. And three, advance initiatives – including the Health Science Education Complex in Kearney and UNMC-UNO biomedical technology institute — that will meet workforce needs and expand educational opportunities. Additionally, the support for the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture will allow it to build on its momentum in serving Nebraska agriculture.

“Finally, the state’s investment in the UNMC Global Center for Advanced Interprofessional Learning is a vital jump-start for this initiative which has the potential to transform the way medical education is delivered in our state. I am grateful to policymakers for their vote of confidence.”

“We are pleased that the legislature’s recommendation for university’s budget was approved by the governor,” said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “The new budget enables UNMC to stay on the leading edge of health care education while also contributing to the health and economic development of our state.”

The NU Board of Regents will consider the university’s operating budget for 2015-16, including determinations on tuition rates and salaries, at its June 12 meeting.