The University of Nebraska System will receive 2.5% increases in state funding each of the next two years under a budget package signed Wednesday by Gov. Jim Pillen.
The budget also provides $2 million in new funding for the Nebraska Career Scholarships, which support Nebraska college students in high-demand fields, and $14.5 million in operating funds for expansion of academic programs related to the new UNK-UNMC Rural Health Education Building.
NU System President Ted Carter thanked the governor for supporting the funding levels approved by the appropriations committee and full legislature.
“Governor Pillen’s approval of funding for the University of Nebraska will help us keep tuition affordable and produce the skilled workforce our state urgently needs,” Carter said. “We appreciate the governor’s partnership and look forward to working together to advance goals that we all share for quality education and economic growth.”
The university had sought 3% annual funding increases. University leaders have cautioned that even if that request had been fully funded, NU still would have faced a significant budget gap as it navigates fiscal challenges created by inflation, enrollment declines and other factors.
The Board of Regents has called a special meeting for May 31 to discuss the university’s budget planning. The discussion will inform the development of the university’s 2023-24 operating budget, which Carter will bring to the board for a vote on June 22.