NOTE: This letter ran in the Daily Nebraskan on May 8, 2025.
In my role as president of the University of Nebraska, I work closely with the chancellors of each campus as well as the Board of Regents, our elected governing body. As a student, you have a representative and a strong voice on that board—your student body president.
Over the past several months, I’ve have had the privilege of visiting with student leaders widely across the University of Nebraska System. One message has come through loud and clear: students are paying attention. You’re asking important, thoughtful questions about the future of our university—and you want to be part of the conversation.
I want you to know: I hear you. And I’m committed to answering your questions openly, honestly and consistently.
That’s why we have launched a new initiative called “NU Students Ask.” Each semester, we’ll continue to gather real questions from student government leaders and other students across our four campuses, and I’ll answer them directly. We’ll share those responses widely—online, through your student government, in student newspapers like this one—so you can hear straight from the President’s Office about the issues that matter most to you.
Here are just a few of the most frequent questions that came from students across the University of Nebraska, along with the responses I shared:
How is the NIH funding freeze affecting graduate students?
The uncertainty around federal funding has created challenges for current and future research opportunities that many faculty and graduate students depend on. We’re actively advocating for increased federal support and working to identify alternative strategies so that students’ work across all academic disciplines can continue uninterrupted.
Will scholarships availability, eligibility or requirements change next year?
We’re always reviewing how we structure financial aid, but right now, we don’t anticipate major changes in eligibility or availability. Keeping NU affordable is a core value—one that will continue to guide our decisions. The delicate balance of tuition and other costs of attendance needs to be carefully considered to optimize affordability while maintaining the quality we all value.
Are academic or extracurricular programs at risk due to budget constraints?
We are continually evaluating educational and research programs systemwide to ensure we’re making smart, student-focused investments. While no final decisions have been made, we will always be transparent throughout the process and will always prioritize academic excellence and the student experience.
What’s happening with DEI efforts in light of federal changes?
Federal guidance may shape how we approach certain programs, but our values have not and will not change. We will continue building a university family where every student, faculty and staff feel respected, welcomed and supported—within the framework of the law.
Students also asked about the timing of legislative budget decisions, the future of research funding, and how we’re preparing for long-term financial sustainability. These are exactly the kinds of questions I hope to keep addressing—not once, but as part of an ongoing conversation.
We are at a pivotal moment for higher education, in Nebraska and across the country. Budget pressures are real. Expectations are shifting. But so is our opportunity—to lead with courage and transparency, to protect the quality and value of your education, and to build upon our legacy of excellence for a truly extraordinary future.
That journey doesn’t happen without students at the table.
I want NU Students Ask to be more than just an initiative. I want it to be a model for open dialogue—where you can see your questions reflected in university leadership decisions and your voices driving meaningful change.
Thank you for your engagement, your ideas and your leadership. Keep asking the big questions. I promise, we’ll keep answering them.
Readers may see the list of questions and answers at Nebraska.edu/NUStudentsAsk