In a recent proposal, University of Nebraska at Lincoln's Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett outlined a plan to reduce spending and close a $21 million budget gap at the University. The spending reduction plan would eliminate six academic programs, realignments, and reductions across administrative units.

Programs proposed for elimination include Landscape Architecture, Community and Regional Planning; Earth and Atmospheric Sciences; Educational Administration, Statistics, and Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design. These cuts as written would save $7.7 million. Four departments within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources would be merged into two interdisciplinary schools - a proposed $2 million in savings - and Graduate assistantship funding will be reduced by $550,000 in the College of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences.

 

The would-be loss of University of Nebraska - Lincoln, would leave the state without an accredited Landscape Architecture program and further dampen the future of the profession. Montana, Wyoming, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire do not have accredited programs.

Yujia Wang - Associate Professor of Practice in the Landscape Architecture program at University of Nebraska - Lincoln - responded to Landscape Architect and Specifier News, "this is an initial proposal by the university to reach budget reduction and reallocation, the first step in a multi-step process. We are currently preparing a response to the public hearing that will come up in a few weeks, and the support from the professional community is a key piece to that. We will have more to share soon."

Save the UNL Program - Sign the Letter of Support
Interim Director of Landscape Architecture, Sarah Karle told LASN that they will update the editorial team as the department works through the process. The school is asking that students, alumni, and professionals sign the letter of support before Sept. 30 to strengthen the school's case to save the program. Within the College of Architecture, Community and Regional planning is also at risk of elimination and asking for letters and signatures to be saved.

This story is ongoing, LASN will update as news breaks.