Education (Higher Education)

This bill prohibits new academic tenure appointments for faculty at Nebraska's public universities (University of Nebraska system), state colleges (Nebraska State Colleges), and community colleges. It requires each governing board to adopt a written policy covering dismissal grounds (like performance or budget issues), annual faculty evaluations, and minimum professional standards. The policy must address how faculty employment terms and conditions are managed, replacing the previous tenure system for new hires. This directly affects faculty members at these public institutions by changing their employment security and review processes.

Legislative Resolution 228 proposes an interim study by Nebraska's Education Committee to examine compensation for faculty who primarily teach in the state's public colleges and universities. The study will review current pay scales, compare salaries with neighboring states, analyze disparities across academic disciplines, and assess how faculty pay affects student retention and graduation rates. It will also explore potential funding solutions and alternative compensation models like cost-of-living adjustments. The committee will report findings and recommendations to the Legislature, but the resolution itself does not change current pay policies.

This bill appropriates $13.06 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and $14.06 million for fiscal year 2026-27 from the General Fund to support dual enrollment programs at Nebraska community colleges. Funds must be distributed based on each college's reported dual-credit course enrollment data, with the goal of reducing tuition costs for high school students taking college courses. The legislation explicitly states these funds may only be used to discount tuition for dual-enrollment courses that count toward both high school graduation and college credit. It directly affects community colleges and high school students participating in dual-credit programs across Nebraska.