The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, April 28, 1999, Page 6, Image 6
Academic Senate looks for alternatives to program cuts By Shane Anthony Staff writer After intense conversation with Chancellor James Moeser on Tuesday, the Academic Senate passed a resolu tion encouraging alternatives to pro gram cuts to meet a budget shortfall. The resolution says the university cannot afford to cut more core pro grams, and that the faculty should be “fully involved” in exploring alterna tives. Senate members voted after Moeser spoke about closely examin ing programs and looking for creative ways to save money. “We can’t do it from the top,” Moeser said. He said the university should try to increase enrollment, try to attract nontraditional students and try to look at cutting programs that are outdated or “producing bullwhips.” He referred to the University of Phoenix as an example of a school that has successfully attracted nontradi tional students. Hugh Genoways, chairman of the museum studies program and profes sor of natural resources, took excep tion to Moeser’s comments. He said the term “bullwhips” and the reference to being more like the University of Phoenix were demeaning to the staff. In his 13 years at the university, Genoways said, he has never seen fac ulty and staff morale so low. “It’s rock bottom,” he said. Both Genoways and John Lindquist, assistant professor of agronomy, questioned an $886,000 u I value faculty participation in the process of determining these hard issues. We re in this together, and we need to approach this as colleagues James Moeser UNL chancellor item on a sheet Moeser presented to explain the projected shortfall of between $4,758,226 and $7,636,883. Moeser said part of that money, earmarked for an engineering pro gram that was not funded during the 1997-1999 budget, will go to Omaha to support a partnership between UNL and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Lindquist asked why the operating budget was increasing, but faculty members are being asked to make cuts. Moeser said the university has to make difficult decisions and look for creative and proactive ways to improve. “We need to ask hard questions about our programs,” he said. “All our disciplines are undergoing enormous change.” He said he wants the faculty to be involved in answering those questions. “I value faculty participation in the process of determining these hard issues,” he said. “We’re in this togeth er, and we need to approach this as col leagues.” In other news, the Academic Senate elected officers for next year. Sheila Scheideler, associate professor and extension poultry specialist, will continue serving as president elect. She took over the post this semester not long after President Gail Latta, associate professor of libraries, became president. Latta replaced Patricia Kennedy, who resigned to become associate dean of the college of business administration. At the meeting’s end, senate mem bers presented the James A. Lake Award to Wallace Peterson, George Holmes professor emeritus of eco nomics. The award honors dedication to academic freedom. In his acceptance speech, Peterson talked about Academic Freedom’s his tory and current threats to it. Those threats included assaults on tenure, the push for politically correct speech and a lack of diversity in economic ideolo gy taught in classrooms. WE'LL ERASE HOUR COLLEGE LOAN. If you’re stuck with a (federally insured) student loan that’s not in default, the Army might pay it off. If you qualify, we’ll reduce your debt—up to $65,000. Payment is either 1/3 of the debt or $1,500 for each year of service, whichever is greater. You'D also have training in a choice of skills and enough self-assurance to last you the rest of your Ufe. Get all the details from your Army Recruiter. (402)467-2221 ARMY. BE ALL YOU CAN BE.* www.goarmy.com Dickey to fill Legislature seat DICKEY from page 1 “It is my hope and desire with the help of God to be a dedicated public servant,” Dickey said. “I do have mixed emotions in filling this state senate seat. I’m saddened and unhap py about the circumstance.” Dickey was referring to the opportunity that opened up for him because of Schellpeper’s unexpected death. “Stan Schellpeper was a friend of mine,” Dickey said. “He was a friend of agriculture.” Dickey, a third-generation farmer, also has strong agricultural roots. Dickey has served as chairman of the U.S. Grains Council. He is a DANCING THURSDAY April lst, 15th & 29th Doors open at 8 p.m. Lessons begin at 8:30 p.m. Lessons by Amy Castro of Dance Sport USA The PLA MOR Call 475-4030 for more info. CA$HFOIIIOKS Textbook Buv Back Monday - Saturday 9:00 - 6:00 Thursday 9:00 - 8:00 Sunday 12:00 - 5:00 www.nebraskabookstore.com 1300 Q Street • Lincoln, NE 68508 member of the Nebraska Corn Board, Gov. Johanns’ Agriculture Advisory Cabinet and Rep. Doug Bereuter’s Agriculture Advisory Committee. He won the 1998 award from Farm Futures Magazine for having one of the top 100 best-managed farms in the nation. Dickey and his wife, Mary, have two children who attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and one who is a UNL alumna. Dickey will serve until a succes sor is chosen by voters in next year’s elections. The District 18 representa tive elected in 2000 will serve the final two years of Schellpeper’s term. Aliant employees uncertain in face of Alltel buyout ■ A local communica tions workers9 union vows to fight Aliant’s $ 1.6 billion sale to Alltel Corp. of Little Rock, Ark. By Bernard Vogelsang Staff writer While 96 percent of Aliant Communications stockholders Tuesday approved the $1.6 billion sale of the company to Alltel Corp. of Little Rock, Ark., union officials and Aliant employees said they were wor ried about future job cuts. Mike Bell, vice president of the Communications Workers of America Local 7470, said at an Aliant stockholders meeting in the Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St., that the buyout could lead to the future loss of 350 jobs. Aliant has 1,250 employees in Lincoln. According to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Alltel wants to maintain 900 Lincoln employees for two years after the sale. At the stockholders meeting, Aliant President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Hilsabeck said the sale could lead to personnel changes. But cellular phones and Internet service will also offer opportunities for employment growth, he said. “Alltel doesn’t buy Aliant to dis mantle it,” he said. Bell said job cuts could lead to poorer service for Aliant customers. But Hilsabeck said that like Aliant, Alltel also wants to deliver high quality service. At the meeting, Bell asked Hilsabeck whether it is fair for four Aliant executives to receive $10.7 million if the company’s sale goes through, while Aliant employees are insecure about their jobs. Hilsabeck, who will get $6 mil lion if the sale succeeds, said the bonus is meant to retain Aliant’s senior management team. Hilsabeck also said the reward is not excessive because it is less than one percent of the takeover price. “This arrangement is useful and modest by everybody’s mention,” he said. Many of the 500 stockholders who attended the meeting, laughed when Hilsabeck said the arrangement was modest. After the meeting, Bell said Hilsabeck might think the bonus is modest. “But I think it is ridiculous,” he said. After having received the stock holders’ approval, Hilsabeck said the takeover could be closed by the end of June, pending the receipt of regu latory approval. The Federal Communications Commission will decide in May or June whether it approves Alltel’s acquisition of Aliant. The FCC could block Alltel’s takeover of Aliant if it denies Alltel’s request to waive a price-cap rule for interstate access charges long-dis tance companies pay to local phone companies. If the commission denies the request, Alltel would pay Aliant $12 million and abandon the takeover. At a protest of about 75 Aliant employees after the meeting outside of the Comhusker Hotel, Bell said he hoped the FCC denies Alltel’s bid for Aliant. Bell said now that the stockhold ers have given their approval, the union will focus on the price-cap waiver to prevent the sale of Aliant. “The battle is not over.” New vice president of business, finance named By Josh Nichols Staff writer The financial future of the University of Nebraska is in new hands. David E. Lechner has been appointed the University of Nebraska Vice President for Business and Finance. Lechner, who had served as NU’s Assistant Vice President and Director of Finance at Central Administration since Oct. 1, 1998, will replace the late James C. Van Horn. He will take over the position Aug. 1, 1999. “I have been impressed with the expertise David Lechner has demonstrated since he joined the university last year,” University of Nebraska President Dennis Smith said. “He was largely responsible for the development of the university’s first revenue and expenditure state ment, which is designed to show where every dollar we receive is spent.” Lechner’s new position involves all matters relating to business and financial manage ment of the university. “My goals include developing a close working relationships with the president, the board of regents, chancellors and other campus offi cers, state of Nebraska officials and other constituencies of central administration,” Lechner said. Lechner said his 20 years as Audit Director at Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he has experi ence in accounting, auditing and consulting, would help him in his new role. While at Deloitte & Touche LLP, Lechner’s clientele included the University of Nebraska, the University of Missouri, Hastings College and Midland Lutheran College. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 1975. He is a certified public accoun tant and is a member of numerous organizations including: the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Government Finance Officers Association and the Association of Government Accountants. As vice president, Lechner will supervise a staff of 18. Lechner will replace John W. Goebel, who has been acting as the vice president since August 1998. Goebel will return as a profes sor in t^e School of Accountancy in the College of Business Administration. “David Lechner has made sig nificant contributions to the busi ness and financial operations of the institution, and has been instru mental in our efforts to identify administrative cost savings univer sitywide,” Smith said.