REPORT of the N|150 Commission

As the campus prepares to mark its 150th year, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is poised to chart a bold and distinctive course for the next generation. UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green appointed more than 150 stakeholders of the university – faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members – to the Nebraska Commission of 150 to envision how the university can best serve Nebraska and the world for the next 25 years. The university’s inaugural charter in 1869 as a land-grant institution offered a sweeping vision for our founding: To afford the inhabitants of this state with the means of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the various branches of literature, science, and the arts. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has grown into one of the major public research universities in the country. The Commission recognizes and celebrates UNL’s record of accomplishments. Few institutions in higher education have served so many so well for so long. We honor our role and responsibility as a public land-grant university. And we seek to re-envision and renew our founding charter for the 21st century. Chancellor Green charged the N|150 Commission with articulating UNL’s boldest aspirations, determining what must occur to achieve them, and recommending a course of action. Eight committees studied and debated a broad range of issues, and their recommendations form the basis of this report. Throughout our yearlong journey, as ideas were being developed, the Commission held numerous listening sessions for the larger university and state community to participate and offer feedback. These sessions provided extraordinary opportunities that few institutions experience in higher education. We heard about our values and capacities, our talents and opportunities, our dreams and aspirations