Chairman Murman, members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you about the critical issue of academic tenure. My name is Dr. Jeffrey Gold, and I have the honor of serving as the 9th President of the University of Nebraska. I am here today to express the University of Nebraska’s opposition to LB 551.
For 155 years, the University of Nebraska has been a cornerstone of our state—educating students, driving innovation, and fueling the growth of communities and economic prosperity across Nebraska. As we continue our mission to serve this great state, I want to emphasize that tenure is one of many integral components to the University’s ability to remain competitive and continue making a positive impact across Nebraska.
Historically, tenure ensures that our faculty are empowered to push the boundaries of research and innovation. From agriculture to healthcare and national defense, it gives us the opportunity to support experienced faculty as they explore bold, innovative ideas. This is not just theoretical—it has led to tangible successes that benefit Nebraskans, such as life-saving medical advancements and groundbreaking research that attracts nearly three quarters of a billion dollars in research grants and contracts each year.
Today, tenure also plays a critical role in competing for and retaining world-class faculty. Our ability to compete with other top-tier higher education institutions depends on offering the opportunities that tenure provides. Without tenure, Nebraska would be the only member of both the Big Ten and the Association of American Universities that did not offer these protections—a reality that would severely harm our standing and reputation as a leader in research and education. This loss of competitive edge would put us at risk of losing faculty and would jeopardize our aspirations of rejoining the AAU.
Further, the private philanthropic community frequently funds endowed chairs and named professorships to tenured or tenure-track faculty for outstanding achievements or remarkable future promise.
Let me be clear: We fully support high standards of quality, productivity and accountability for all our faculty. Tenure is not a shield from annual reviews or responsibility to meet performance metrics. Our tenured faculty undergo rigorous annual pre-tenure and post-tenure reviews. The post-tenure reviews are conducted to ensure that expectations and performance remain high. What tenure guarantees is the protection of proven faculty members who pursue long-term, high-risk, and high-reward research that is critical to the success of the University, and to Nebraska’s future. In addition, many of the “rock star” faculty we recruit from top institutions have earned tenure through a rigorous and challenging process at their previous universities, and they expect and deserve the same level of recognition and commitment here.
We are proud of the University of Nebraska’s long history of excellence. As we look to the future, we remain committed to working in partnership with the state to ensure Nebraska stays competitive. Our vision is focused on ensuring that the University continues to drive innovation, fuel economic growth, and provide a pipeline of skilled, talented professionals for the workforce of tomorrow. To provide world-class education to Nebraskans, we need world-class faculty. And to have world-class faculty, tenure must remain an essential part of our toolkit.
In closing, I urge you to consider the impact of LB 551: the sustained loss of reputation, faculty attrition, and long-term recruitment and economic growth challenges for the state. The University of Nebraska is more than just an institution—it is an essential driver of Nebraska’s future. Thank you, and I am happy to answer any questions.