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Regents approve new centers, certificates and routine items in consent agenda
Summary
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved a package of academic and administrative items April 11, including a new Nebraska Children’s Justice and Legal Advocacy Center, an irrigation certificate, the elimination of the BA in geology and a new emergency nurse practitioner certificate.
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved a set of academic and administrative items on April 11, voting to establish new programs and to adopt multiple consent-agenda items.
Among the academic approvals, the board authorized the creation of the Nebraska Children’s Justice and Legal Advocacy Center at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law (item 12.a.1). Board materials said the center will merge the existing Children’s Justice Clinic and a fellowship program to expand interdisciplinary legal education and attract private funding; the packet stated that initial resources are private funds.
The board also approved an 18-credit undergraduate certificate in irrigation and agricultural water management administered by UNL’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering (12.a.2). Officials said the online certificate targets nondegree learners and early- and mid-career professionals and does not require new resources.
The board voted to eliminate the bachelor of arts in geology at UNL (12.a.3), retaining the bachelor of science option; students currently enrolled in the BA will be permitted to complete their programs. The board approved a new 16-credit graduate certificate in emergency nurse practitioner to be administered by the College of Nursing at UNMC (12.a.4). Presenters said the program — a hybrid of online and in-person coursework and local practicum — is designed primarily for nurses already practicing in rural hospitals who need emergency-department skills.
Business-and-finance items approved included amendments to collective bargaining agreements for the University of Nebraska at Kearney (12.b.1) and UNO (12.b.10) covering salary distributions for the 2025–27 biennium; both amendments were presented under the relevant Nebraska statutes governing bargaining (Neb. Rev. Stat. §81-1369 through 81-1388). The board also approved several construction-related change orders and naming and budget items that were presented as donor-funded or covered by current contingencies, including a change order for Husker Vision enabling work (12.b.2) and the naming of the Bob Devaney Sports Center arena as John Cook Arena with donor-funded signage and a statue (12.b.3).
Most items were considered by committee in advance and were adopted by roll-call vote when called as part of the consent agenda. Where there was discussion, board members highlighted workforce needs (water management, nursing in rural areas) and private partnerships. Presenters said the emergency nurse practitioner certificate was funded in part by a philanthropic gift (Women Investing in Nebraska) and that the program is tailored to practitioners already working in rural communities so many graduates are expected to stay local.
Votes at a glance (select items): - 12.a.1 Nebraska Children’s Justice and Legal Advocacy Center — approved (motion passed by roll call). - 12.a.2 Undergraduate certificate in irrigation and agricultural water management — approved (motion passed by roll call). - 12.a.3 Eliminate BA in geology at UNL (retain BS option) — approved (motion passed by roll call). - 12.a.4 Graduate certificate, emergency nurse practitioner (UNMC) — approved (motion passed by roll call); presenters said the program will be hybrid with local practicum and expected to serve rural hospitals. - 12.b.1 Amendments to UNK collective bargaining agreement (2025–27 biennium) — approved (motion passed by roll call). - 12.b.3 Naming John Cook Arena at Bob Devaney Sports Center — approved (donor funded).
Where vote tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript, the clerk called the roll and recorded yes/no/abstain responses; individual regents’ votes appear in the official minutes. No budget increases for these items were requested unless specifically noted in the board packet. Several items were explicitly described as privately funded or funded from previously approved project contingencies.
The board placed the full consent-agenda packet and committee minutes on the public record.
