UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett has proposed significantly cutting the budget of the two offices, and Nyoak was among more than 200 faculty, staff and students pushing back in a joint letter two weeks ago. Bennett proposed $12 million in budget cuts Nov. 8, including $800,000 to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services. The cuts are meant to close a budget deficit largely fueled by declining enrollment. The $800,000 is a cut of about 46% combined for the two. Under the proposal, the diversity and inclusion office would be restructured from a central hub to a role primarily supporting campus-wide priorities or initiatives. DEI work would be focused in colleges, departments and units. Three filled staff positions would be eliminated in the offices.
