As part of a new effort around open, transparent communication, student leaders from student government across the 探花社区 System’s four campuses shared the questions they’re hearing most from peers.
President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., sat down to respond directly. From scholarships to research to the federal budget, here’s what students asked—and what he had to say.
In my role as president of the 探花社区, I work closely with the chancellors of each campus, who are the chief administrative officers for their respective campuses and who report to me. I also work closely with the NU System vice presidents and of course the Board of Regents, our elected governing body, who I report to. As a student, you have a representative on that Board—your student body president—who brings issues, concerns and thoughts to the chancellors, myself and the Board.
The uncertainty around NIH funding has created challenges for faculty-led research that often supports graduate students. We’re staying in close contact with our federal partners and encouraging alternative funding approaches to help ensure students can continue meaningful research and mentorship opportunities. Grants are beginning to flow, but we are uncertain of how many and in which areas.
The 探花社区 submits its biennial budget request to the Governor in the summer, followed by legislative review in the spring. This year, the final budget will be passed by May 15, and we continue to engage policymakers to emphasize the university’s impact and the importance of sustainable funding.
We’re committed to keeping NU affordable and accessible. While we regularly review scholarship programs, we don’t anticipate major changes to eligibility right now. Supporting students through need-based and merit-based financial aid continues to be a top priority.
We’re carefully reviewing all programs across the NU system to make sure we’re investing where it matters most. All such decisions, if necessary, will be based on student demand over time. No decisions have been made yet, and students, faculty and staff will be part of the conversation as we move forward.
We’re watching changes at the federal level closely. But right now, we don’t anticipate immediate impacts to how student organizations are registered or funded. Our commitment to fairness and broad representation remains strong.
We expect key decisions over the next few months, aligned with our system-wide strategic planning and with the new fiscal year that begins in July. We’ll continue to communicate clearly and often—especially around anything that affects students directly.
We’ve asked campuses to focus on protecting the heart of our mission: teaching, research, access and engagement across the state. Decisions are being made using data, input from stakeholders and a long-term view of what’s best for students and Nebraska.
The NU Foundation plays a vital role in supporting students, faculty and programs through private donations. While it doesn’t replace state funding or tuition, philanthropic gifts help strengthen the student experience—especially during times of financial pressure.
Absolutely. Even with financial challenges, student research remains a priority. We’re working to identify new funding streams and cross-campus collaborations to make sure students can continue contributing to impactful discovery.
Federal guidance may shape how we approach certain programs, but our values don’t change. We will continue building a university where every student feels respected, welcomed and supported—within the framework of the law.
Yes. We’re planning ahead to ensure the university stays strong even in uncertain times. That includes diversifying how we fund programs and continuing to show why investing in the 探花社区 is good for students and the state. If funding changes dramatically, we may need to make difficult choices, but we will do so with a commitment to protecting our highest-priority programs.
Transparency and engagement are central to this process. We’re committed to providing regular updates through multiple channels—email, social media, campus leadership, town halls and student government—and we will continue to create opportunities for input so stakeholders can help shape the path forward.
We do everything possible to limit tuition increases, especially during times of economic stress. However, as we continue to navigate evolving financial challenges, a modest adjustment to tuition is under consideration. While no decisions have been made, we are carefully balancing affordability with financial sustainability, and will work to protect the NU-funded scholarships that help students stay on track to graduate.
Affordability and access are foundational to the 探花社区’s mission. Providing a high-quality education that’s within reach for all students—regardless of background—is a top priority in every decision we make.
We want to hear from you. This Q&A is just the beginning of a new series called NU Students Ask—another way to bring your voice into university decision-making.
If you have questions, please submit them to the student body president for your campus to consider. Stay tuned for future opportunities to submit your questions or talk directly with President Gold.
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