UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, and Chris Kratochvil, MD, UNMC vice chancellor for external relations, discussed the status of the legislative session during the chancellor’s February all-campus forum held Thursday. The two discussed numerous bills before the Legislature that are important to the University of Nebraska.
Drs. Gold and Kratochvil specifically addressed two bills that Interim University of Nebraska President Chris Kabourek testified in opposition to during public hearings last week. Those bills are LB1064, which would eliminate tenure at Nebraska’s public higher education institutions, and LB1330, which would prohibit Nebraska’s public higher education institutions from requiring certain programs, taking certain actions or spending state funds related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Dr. Gold referenced the committee testimony by Interim President Kabourek, who said that eliminating tenure would not be good for the university and would go against the governing authority vested with the NU Board of Regents.
It also would send the wrong message, Dr. Gold said, at a time when the university is trying to regain membership in the Association of American Universities, as well as recruit and retain the highest quality faculty.
Dr. Gold said he is proud that the university testified in opposition to those bills.
In reference to LB1330, Dr. Gold, “We have to be a welcoming institution for all.”
Among the other legislation that UNMC is monitoring are bills relating to access to health data for cancer researchers, giving opportunities for the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska to partner with youth rehabilitation and treatment centers and county correctional facilities, and establishing a dental residence license.
“A lot going on, a lot of active engagement,” Dr. Kratochvil said.
While the university has a few bills as its priorities, university employees are welcome to take a stance on legislation as private citizens. If they do so, Dr. Kratochvil urged them to take caution in how they represent themselves – not using university letterhead or email, taking time off work if attending a legislative function and, if testifying, specifying that they are speaking on their own behalf.
The med center community can view the Feb. 15 all-campus forum at this link.
In updating numerous priority issues and projects around UNMC, Dr. Gold:
- Previewed university budget decisions in the coming months. He said the Board of Regents typically acts on the budget in June. In advance of that, the Office of the President and campus business officers continue to work on next fiscal year’s budget.
- Highlighted UNMC’s continuing strategic planning discussions. The revised goals and strategies of the plan are close to being released to the campus for an opportunity to comment. Dr. Gold said the new strategic plan will have many specific references to generative artificial intelligence issues embedded in almost all topics – a product of UNMC’s AI Task Force.
- Lauded the UNMC College of Pharmacy for its exceptional pass rates on pharmacy board exams – 97.8%, the highest pass rate among 142 pharmacy schools in the U.S.
- Congratulated the UNMC Office of Interactive E-Learning for 10 years of amazing success, highlighted in its new report, “Forging a Bold Future in Digital Learning.” Dr. Gold said UNMC’s E-Learning programs continue to reach an incredibly broad, global audience.
- Wished Mark Bowen the very best in his retirement. The campus held a retirement reception for Bowen last week, capping his 16-year career as UNMC’s director of government relations. Dr. Gold called it a warm and wonderful event for Bowen.
- Shared that the second annual UNMC/Nebraska Medicine Giving Day, “For the Greater Good,” will begin at noon on March 27 and end at noon on March 28. He shared his excitement for the opportunities created and how the med center is able to compete with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska at Kearney giving day programs.
- Encouraged faculty and staff to join in on UNMC’s Employee Appreciation Day events set for March 1. Watch UNMC Today for more details.
- Said testing is ongoing for UNMC’s new RAVE emergency alert system. More information will be released soon on this important campus safety system.
- Highlighted the new Nebraska Medicine UNMC Student Health Clinic, which opens today in the Student Life Center in a fully renovated, dedicated space.
- Highlighted the continued planning on Project NExT’s first phase – now known as Project Health: Building the Healthiest Nebraska – and on UNMC’s proposed student housing project.
- Updated continuing construction at the Saddle Creek Campus on the Catalyst project and CORE Building and at the University of Nebraska at Kearney-UNMC Rural Health Education Building. Dr. Gold said enrollment of pre-health students has skyrocketed at UNK in advance of the project. “There’s clearly very, very high interest in that program,” he said.
In conclusion of the hour-long forum, Dr. Gold encouraged everyone in the campus community to take care of themselves. “We need each of you for the long haul,” he said. “Your dedication and commitment are critical to our future.”