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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1997)
Nebraska Bookstore Pays Ca$h For Books. Today 9:00am-8:00pm. No matter where you bought your books, we’ll buy them back. There Really Is A Z)i$re/ice. Holiday Hours Monday-Friday 9:00am HaXJpm Saturday 9:00am -6:00pm Sunday 12:fX)pm-5:(X)pm 1300 Q Street, One Block South of Love Library 476-0111 E-mail: textbook@binary.net www. nebra ska bookstore .com NU faces possible cutbacks to operating budget by 2015 BUDGET from page 1 increased efficiency. He said Chancellor James Moeser's 1996 reallocation plan enhanced efficiency by “taxing” each department 4 percent of its budget and using the revenue to enhance and improve designated programs. Edwards said UNL wanted to explore ways to increase its revenue from sources other than the state or tuition. He said the Pepsi contract, which will provide UNL with $24 million over the next decade, along with an increased effort to recruit out-of-state and international stu dents, would increase UNL’s income without raising tuition or going to the state for more money. Regents also discussed a possi ble “performance-based” budgeting process, where colleges or depart ments would be financed according to their “output.” Edwards said the “Florida Bank” program, which was pio neered by the University of Florida in Gainesville, was a way for the university to measure a college’s contribution to the university's mis sion. “This would create enormous incentives for deans and department chairs to be entrepreneurial and economizing,” Edwards said. He said the plan also would allow UNL to compare its perfor mance with peer institutions. Regent Rosemary Skrupa of Omaha said talks about budgets based on performance worried her, particularly within a university. Benjamin’s plan recommc ! 1 five changes for U S. colleges ana universities: ■ Political leaders should direct public funds in a manner that reflects the “growing importance of education to the economic prosperi ty and social stability of the United States.” ■ Institutions should change their governing systems so they can better evaluate academic depart ments, and make necessary eco nomic changes. ■ Colleges and universities should “pursue greater mission dif ferentiation,” and serve the needs of the public. ■ Regent Charles Wilson of Lincoln said he thought the four campuses were invading on each others’ missions. ■ “(The University of Nebraska at Kearney) wants to be (the University of Nebraska at Omaha,) and UNO wants to be UNL,” he said. “ Everyone wants to be a doc toral, research institution, but this state cannot support two or three doctoral institutions.” ■ Other regents said “expen sive” doctoral programs needed to be evaluated, and perhaps cut. Some also said not all campuses had to offer all classes, and some classes that were duplicated across campus es could be eliminated. ■ Colleges and universities should share certain programs or departments to improve efficiency. Regent Don Blank of McCook said the NU system could cooperate with other state universities, form ing shared colleges. Although he said colleges that were “vital to Nebraska’s economic develop ment,” such as engineering and technology, should not be shared. Regent Chuck Hassebrook of Walthill warned against catering to large businesses. “We can’t be all things to all people,” Hassebrook said, “but neither can we be all things to the biggest businesses in the state.” ■ I he level ol education deemed “appropriate” for those in the workforce needs to be re-exam ined. Benjamin's plan stated that “All citizens planning to enter the work force should be encouraged to pursue - as a minimum - some form of post-secondary education or training.” UNL Academic Senate President Jim Ford questioned whether any of the recommenda tions, if implemented, would ensure educational quality. He said he w'as worried that, in some ways, the report called for a “minimum necessary education.” Instead, Ford said, continuing Moeser’s plan of increased academ ic and admissions standards would ensure quality. “The American model of educa tion is that there be equality of opportunity, but not an insurance of results,” Ford said. “That is inher ently inefficient, but the best way.” I-1 Questions? Comments? Ask for the appropriate section editor at (402) 472-2588 or e-mail dn@unlinfo.unl.edu. Editor: Paula Lavigne Managing Editor: Julie Sobczyk Associate News Editor: Rebecca Stone Assistant News Editor: Jeff Randall Assignment Editor: Chad Lorenz Opinion Editor: Matthew Waite Sports Editor: Mike Kluck A&E Editor: Jim Goodwin Copy Desk Chiefs: Nancy Zywiec Kay Prauner Photo Director: Ryan Soderlin Design Chief: Joshua Gillin Art Director: Aaron Steckelberg Online Editor: Gregg Steams Asst. Online Editor: Amy Pemberton General Manager: Dan Shattil Publications Board Melissa Myles, Chairwoman: (402)476-2446 Professional Adviser: Don Walton, (402) 473-7301 Advertising Manager: Nick Partsch, (402) 472-2589 Assistant Ad Manager: Daniel Lam Fax number: (402) 472-1761 World Wide Web: www.unl.edu/DailyNeb The Daily Nebraskan (USPS144-080) is published by the UNL Publications Board, Nebraska Union 34,1400 R St., Lincoln, NE 68588-0448, Monday through Friday duming the academic year; weekly during the summer sessions.The public has access to the Publications Board. Readers are encouraged to submit story ideas and comments to the Daily Nebraskan by calling (402) 472-2588. Subscriptions are $55 for one year. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Daily Nebraskan, Nebraska Union 34,1400 R St., Lincoln NE 68588-0448. Periodical postage paid at Lincoln, NE. ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 1997 THE DAILY NEBRASKAN
