“To dare mighty things” was the title of the state-of-the-campus address presented by Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., at the annual Faculty Senate awards ceremony Thursday.
His presentation reviewed the past year’s achievements and challenges for the coming years.
“UNMC turns challenges into opportunities, and that’s how we lead the world,” Dr. Gold said. “We’re all about breakthroughs for life.”
Every decision, he said, is made with the UNMC and Nebraska Medicine joint mission in mind. “That’s how we all should approach our decision-making.”
Knowing that budget cuts are on everyone’s mind on campus, Dr. Gold provided a legislative and budget update.
By the end of April, the Appropriations Committee will release its final report, followed by floor debates and adjustments by the governor and the legislature. By the end of May, the university should know its budget appropriation for the next two years.
After the University of Nebraska Board of Regents determines tuition for each campus, Central Administration will determine budget gaps for each university, which is when discussions on cuts to colleges, institutes and units will be held. UNMC’s final budget will be finalized by the end of June.
“We’re in a solid growth mode and we need to continue to grow. At the same time, it’s unfair to increase tuition and place all of the burden of budget cuts on future health care practitioners,” Dr. Gold said.
“All factors are in play,” he said. “All efforts will be made to reduce non-personnel related costs before personnel.”
Dr. Gold quoted Admiral Jim Stockdale, who wrote a book about his many years as a prisoner of war. “There are only three things that predict survival. Always face the blatant truth, always focus on the horizon and always avoid false optimism.
“We will work through these budget challenges staying focused on the truth, but it would be a much greater tragedy if we lost track of the strategic plan, of our horizon,” Dr. Gold said.
On a lighter note, Dr. Gold reminded the campus that next year will be the 50th anniversary of the legislature’s creation of the University system and within it, of the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
“We have a tremendous legacy and set of traditions to stand upon. We have collectively made UNMC’s successes possible. As I walk through the campus, I’ve never seen a brighter future.”