LINCOLN— The president of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), Todd Wolfson, is urging the Association of American Universities (AAU) to reject the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s effort to regain membership. Wolfson argues that UNL damaged its research reputation and principles of shared governance through budget cuts that eliminated four academic departments—Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Education Administration, Statistics, and Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design. The cuts saved about $6.7 million but resulted in 58 faculty members losing their jobs, including 39 tenured professors.

Wolfson also criticized UNL’s use of Academic Analytics Research Center metrics in deciding which programs to eliminate, arguing they were used in ways their developers did not intend. He said the process raises questions about UNL’s commitment to academic freedom, research excellence and institutional decision-making—all factors he argues should be considered as UNL seeks to return to the AAU after losing membership in 2011. UNL pushed back against the AAUP’s characterization, saying the letter omitted important context surrounding the budget reductions.

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