The University of Nebraska-Lincoln [UNL] made the decision to potentially close the Department of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design [TMFD] due to budgetary issues caused by the pandemic. On October 14th, the Academic Planning Committee held a virtual hearing to discuss the potential closure. During the hearing, nearly 200 participants watched as professors, students, alumni, and community leaders spoke in opposition to the department closure. For over four hours, speakers generated serious discussions on the university’s failure to follow its own guidelines and procedures while making budgetary cuts.
Final model march during the UNL Student Night Showcase of Omaha Fashion Week. Photo by Heather and Jameson.
On September 3rd, UNL announced proposed budgetary cuts, “…because of an existing budget shortfall created by lower-than-expected tuition revenue,” (Lincoln Journal Star). UNL is in its second phase of reductions where they will seek to cut $22.6 million from their budget. Potential cuts have been reviewed by the Academic Planning Committee and followed with public hearings on the chancellor’s proposals. “In November, the committee will report its final recommendations back to the chancellor's office,” (Lincoln Journal Star).
Chancellor Green states, “These recommendations reflect hard choices based on a harsh reality of the shortfall we are facing due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. None of our academic leaders wants to be in the position of making recommendations that will impact the teaching and research mission of our institution. I wish it were not necessary to look at the need to eliminate faculty positions and academic programs. However, in the current financial environment, it is unavoidable.”
We argue that many avenues can be taken to avoid an entire department’s permanent closure. To shutdown the only four-year program for fashion in the state of Nebraska would be an irreversible mistake. Students interested in fashion will go out-of-state for their degrees, harming Nebraska’s potential growth, revenue, and fashion landscape. Before this decision was made, faculty provided proposals of department budget cuts of various levels to the university. Faculty stated that the university did not take these proposals into consideration.
UNL student and Omaha Fashion Week Golden Shears Featured Designer Winner, Alex Scarpello, sewing in the lab. Photo from UNL TMFD.
The process of suggesting closure of the TMFD department was done in a way that directly defied the Bylaws of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Board of Regents Policies, and the Bylaws of the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents Policies clearly detail the steps the university must take in a state of financial crisis and states, “Such procedures shall provide for prompt and explicit notice to faculty whose removal is being considered and shall provide them a timely opportunity to be heard before the decision is made,” (Financial Exigency Procedures § 4.2.11.2.D.4, 2020). According to faculty members, they were never notified of the potential for elimination of the department and were unable to give feedback before an announcement was made to the public. Since faculty were not able to advise the Academic Planning Committee, incorrect financial reports were used to make this decision.
The policies also detail, “Such procedures shall include provisions for the placement and reinstatement of faculty who are removed…” (Financial Exigency Procedures § 4.2.11.2.D.8, 2020). During the hearing, faculty noted that no plan has been made to secure faculty positions, rehire in the future, or provide financial assistance.
Omaha Fashion Week believes that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, an institution funded by taxpayers, should listen to its community and be held to the very standards set by themselves. The Department of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design is integral to the fashion industry in Nebraska and must be saved. You can help accomplish this by sharing this article, using #saveUNLtextiles on social media + signing the petition below.
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