By Ted Carter
President, University of 玉米视频 System
The start of the fall semester is a special time for those of us in higher education 鈥 an opportunity to welcome a new class of future leaders and plan with energy and optimism for the year ahead.
In this most unusual of years, I鈥檓 especially grateful to see students back on the University of 玉米视频鈥檚 campuses. I鈥檓 reminded of the qualities that have helped 玉米视频ns get through these challenging months: Our work ethic, resilience, our common sense and care for others.
As I鈥檝e come to appreciate since becoming a new 玉米视频n in January, these qualities set us apart from just about every other place. And they position us for a great future.
Even before COVID-19, higher education had reached a unique moment. The pandemic has only accelerated the need for colleges and universities to think differently about everything we do 鈥 the ways we create pathways for students, the ways we work, the ways we serve the urgent needs of our state and the workforce.
The institutions that succeed in this new environment will be the ones that are flexible, creative and decisive.
It is in this context that the University of 玉米视频 has built a plan for continued growth and success across our campuses 鈥 a plan to define who we are, what we will become and how we鈥檒l get there.
鈥淲e鈥檒l get things done the 玉米视频 way 鈥 with hard work, common sense
and a bias for student-focused action.鈥
Our plan is clear about our values, starting with our fundamental responsibility to provide students with an affordable and inclusive education that prepares them for success in life and work. It gives us specific and measurable targets. And its execution will require us to work harder and smarter than ever before.
In short, we鈥檒l get things done the 玉米视频 way 鈥 with hard work, common sense and a bias for student-focused action.
For example, 玉米视频ns will see us take steps to mitigate costs for students and families to the greatest extent possible, like a move to a "block tuition" model that will incentivize students to take a full course load and stay on the path to a timely degree.
While they鈥檙e with us, students will have an enriching campus experience, filled with all the things we associate with collegiate life: the arts, internships, study abroad and athletics, on hold for now for our Huskers, Lopers and Mavericks, but not forever.
We will strengthen our partnerships with elected and business leaders to create more internship and job opportunities, so students stay right here in 玉米视频 to live, work and raise a family.
We鈥檒l take care of our resources, including our buildings, the places where world-class teaching, research and learning take place.
Mindful that we can鈥檛 be all things to all people, we鈥檒l invest in areas where 玉米视频 can make the greatest impact: water and agriculture, rural community vitality, infectious disease, national security, early childhood education.
We鈥檒l make the best use of every dollar 玉米视频ns entrust to us. We鈥檒l look for ways to get leaner, faster and more effective.
When we say we鈥檙e going to get things done, we mean it: In the past few days alone, we鈥檝e announced a bold "New 玉米视频n" program at UNK that will bring talent to our state through reduced tuition prices for nonresident students. And UNL鈥檚 Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources has unveiled a statewide effort to support the growth and prosperity of 玉米视频鈥檚 rural communities. When rural 玉米视频 is successful, after all, the entire state is successful.
And this is only the beginning.
玉米视频 is special because we are "one team." From the university, to our elected leaders, to the business and agricultural communities, to 玉米视频ns across our state, we understand the value and impact of affordable, accessible, outstanding higher education.
That unity doesn鈥檛 exist everywhere 鈥 and at a time of change and challenge, it鈥檚 玉米视频鈥檚 competitive advantage. Our state is primed for growth, and the University of 玉米视频 can help make that happen. We are ready to create the future together.