Lincoln, Neb., Oct. 8, 2002--University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman announced today that the Academic Planning Committee had concurred in his recommendations to eliminate the Division of Continuing Studies. Perlman indicated he will present the recommendations to the University of Nebraska board of regents for its final adoption at the board's meeting later this week.
The Academic Planning Committee conducted hearings on the proposal to eliminate the division and provided its recommendations to the chancellor following deliberations. Although the final recommendations on all proposed budget reductions will not be completed until November, advancing the recommendations early on the Division of Continuing Studies provides maximum time for directly affected staff members to plan for the future.
In its recommendations to Perlman, the APC:
--Endorsed the plan to discontinue the division as a separate administrative unit. The APC asked that plans for restructuring the functions of the former unit be presented to the committee as they are developed.
--Accepted the proposed budget reductions, not including the proposed budget cuts affecting the Learning Centers at Grand Island, North Platte and Lincoln. Recommendations on the proposal for a budget reduction related to the Learning Centers will not be prepared until after the completion of the scheduled hearings on the Learning Centers.
--Supported the continuance of the functions of distance education and evening and weekend programs, and asked that related faculty and student service units be involved in developing plans for these programs.
--Supported the proposed closure of the hotel located at the Hardin Center for Continuing Education.
--Endorsed the chancellor's recommendation that the Independent Study High School and Conferences and Professional Development become self-supporting within 18 months, after which reassessment will occur. The committee asked to be included in the reassessment phase.
APC hearings continue on other budget reduction proposals and the committee is expected to make recommendations on other proposals by the end of October. Chancellor Perlman is expected to announce the rest of his final budget reduction proposals Nov. 11.
The cuts are in response to a decrease in state funding for UNL of $16.3 million for the current fiscal year. More information on the reduction proposals, the hearing process and background information is available on the UNL Web site (www.unl.edu/pr/chancllr /index.shtml).
Contact: Meg Lauerman, Director, University Communications,
(402) 472-0296, (mlauerman1@unl.edu)
For questions regarding these releases, contact:
tsimons1@unl.edu
(402) 472-8514, Fax: (402) 472-7825