Votes at a glance: Board of Regents approves program changes, construction items and Project Health intermediate design review

LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on April 11 approved a set of consent and action items covering academic programs, collective‑bargaining amendments, construction change orders, naming, and the intermediate design review for Project Health. Below is a concise “votes at a glance” summary of each formal action recorded in the meeting transcript.

Items and outcomes (selected items from agenda):

- Approval of minutes from the Feb. 25, 2025 special board meeting — Motion passed (unanimous roll call ‘Yes’ recorded).

- 6A1: Award of honorary degrees and awards — Motion passed (roll call ‘Yes’ recorded).

Academic program actions (12A series) - 12A1: Establishment of the Nebraska Children’s Justice and Legal Advocacy Center (administered by UNL College of Law, in partnership with UNL College of Arts & Sciences) — Approved (roll call recorded; item funded by private funds per presentation). - 12A2: Establish undergraduate certificate in irrigation and agricultural water management (UNL, 18 credit hours) — Approved (roll call recorded). - 12A3: Eliminate the Bachelor of Arts degree in Geology (UNL) — Approved (roll call recorded); the BS in Geology remains available and current BA students allowed to complete. - 12A4: Establish graduate certificate in Emergency Nurse Practitioner (UNMC) — Approved (roll call recorded); item described as a 16‑credit hybrid certificate aimed at rural emergency care staffing shortages.

Collective bargaining and personnel (12B/12): - 12B1: Amendments to the collective bargaining agreement between Board of Regents and UNK Education Association (2025–2027 biennium) — Approved. Salary increases described as 4% first year, 3% second year (roll call recorded). - 12B10: Amendments to the UNO AAUP collective bargaining agreement (2025–2027 biennium) — Approved. Salary increases described as 4.9% in first year, 4.8% in second year (roll call recorded).

Construction, change orders and naming (12B2–12B12): - 12B2: Change order / construction agreement for Husker Vision enabling work (Memorial Stadium improvements) — Approved (roll call recorded). Regents and staff noted athletic department funds cover project costs. - 12B3: Naming the John Cook Arena at the Bob Devaney Sports Center (including donor‑funded statue and signage, estimated cost $400,000) — Approved (roll call recorded). - 12B4: Change order / construction agreement for outdoor track replacement at UNL (seating, concessions, AV, Wi‑Fi, electrical) — Approved (roll call recorded). - 12B5: Budget increase for UNL Pershing Military & Naval Sciences Building renovation — Approved. Requested increase $685,300 (approx. 6% of prior budget) to address unforeseen hazardous materials, electrical upgrades and other conditions; funds from existing UNL LB384 allocations (roll call recorded). - 12B6: Ratify amendments and change order for Westbrook Music Building LB384 replacement — Approved; additional changes totaling $1,300,000 covered from project contingencies (roll call recorded). - 12B7 & 12B8: Intermediate Design Report #1 and Integrated Project Delivery Agreement for Project Health (UNMC); request to authorize additional enabling‑work budget of $69,000,000 — Approved (roll call recorded; Regent Schaefer recorded as abstaining on the vote). Project Health remains within the program statement budget allocation of $2,191,000,000 per the presentation. - 12B9: Change order / construction agreement for Core Building project (UNMC) to enhance mechanical/electrical systems for wet‑lab requirements — Approved (roll call recorded). - 12B11: UNO Biomechanics Research Building Phase 3 program statement and budget — Approved. Budget reported as $17,100,000 and funded by a private donation (roll call recorded). - 12B12: UNO LB384 electrical switch relocation scope and budget change — Approved. Capital construction increase requested $2,000,000 (total $6,000,000); funds from UNO LB384 allocations (roll call recorded).

Other business and bylaws (12C series) - 12C1: Bylaws update to section 1.1 (administrative structure) — Approved (roll call recorded). - 12C2: Proposed amendments to section 3 of the bylaws (equal‑opportunity language): Approved after roll‑call (several regents voted No, one abstention recorded; motion passed by majority). - 12C3: Amendments consolidating maternal/paternal leave into a parental leave policy — Approved (roll call recorded). - 12C4: Regents policy changes affecting equal‑opportunity and related policies (3.10.3, 5.2.0.1 and other cross references) — Approved after extended debate and procedural votes (roll call recorded).

How regents voted (examples from transcript roll calls): - Bylaw item 12C2 roll call (excerpt): Regent Adedam — No; Regent Thavaraju — No; Regent Herban — No; Regent Schroeder — Abstain; Regent Shearer — Yes; Regent Starck — Yes; Regent Weitz — No; Regent Wilmot — Yes; Regent Clare — Yes; Regent Kenny — Yes; Regent O'Connor — No; Regent Schaefer — Yes. Motion passed by majority. - Project Health (12B7/12B8) roll call (excerpt): Multiple regents voted Yes; Regent Schaefer recorded an abstention on the combined IDR/IPD approval; final motion passed (see transcript for full roll call sequence).

Notes and context: - Many items in the business and finance section were described as funded from private gifts, athletics funds, or existing LB384 allocations; several construction items were approved with change orders drawing on project contingency funds rather than increasing systemwide tuition or general funds. - The board also approved several awards and ceremonial resolutions, including Regent Emeritus status for former Regent Jim McClurg and posthumous recognition and an honorary degree recommendation for Jack Hoffman; those were adopted by acclamation or unanimous consent as recorded in the meeting.

Where to find the details: The meeting transcript contains the roll‑call sequences and motion language for each listed agenda item. This roundup highlights outcomes and key factual points recorded during the April 11 meeting.

Ending: The board adjourned after a brief call for closed session that was not needed; the meeting record indicates additional bylaw chapters will be brought back for the June meeting and several implementation steps and communications to campuses were directed by the board.