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Regents approve University of Nebraska AI institute and several academic program actions
Summary
The board authorized the University of Nebraska Advanced Artificial Intelligence Institute (A2I2) to coordinate cross-campus AI research, teaching and outreach without requesting new state funds, and approved several program reviews and targeted degree changes across campuses.
The Board of Regents approved creation of the University of Nebraska Advanced Artificial Intelligence Institute (A2I2) on June 18, directing the system to coordinate AI research, workforce preparation and public engagement across UNK, UNL, UNMC and UNO. University leaders said the institute will focus on areas where Nebraska has existing strength, including agriculture and food systems, health care, engineering and law, and will be funded primarily by grants and contracts rather than state appropriations.
President Jeffrey Gold described the institute as a strategic investment to "position the University of Nebraska to compete nationally in this sector," and told regents the institute was designed to leverage campus strengths while preserving institutional missions.
The board also approved academic affairs items including program review recommendations, continuation of UNL's Bachelor of Arts in Dance monitoring with philanthropic support expected to help the program reach enrollment thresholds, elimination of a separate 7'12 physics endorsement at UNK in favor of a broader 7'12 science endorsement, authorization of a family and consumer sciences teaching endorsement, and approval to discontinue UNL's Russian BA/BS after suspending admissions due to faculty departures.
Members noted that program eliminations and modifications follow academic reviews and are intended to streamline offerings while protecting student pathways; the board asked for annual monitoring reports for programs of concern.
Next steps: Academic affairs will forward in-depth review materials to coordinating committees where required, implement the institute's organizational details, and return monitoring reports as specified.
