We need your help! We are facing a critical moment as we work to preserve our identity as the Glenn Korff School of Music.

As you know, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is facing a $27.5 million structural budget deficit. As part of the proposed cuts, the administration has suggested combining the Glenn Korff School of Music (GKSOM) and the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film (JCSTF) under one shared director.

This proposed cut is couched as “Administrative Reduction” in the Chancellor’s memo, but in fact it represents a department realignment with major impacts on the academic programs of the Glenn Korff and Johnny Carson Schools.

If implemented, this administrative restructuring will diminish the voice of the GKSOM when negotiating for resources. In essence, we will lose much of our autonomy.

Despite the GKSOM’s favorable metrics placing us in the top 25% across the entire university, restructuring to remove the Director of the GKSOM and replace our leadership with a single director responsible for both theatre and music will guarantee programmatic changes driven by decisions where the GKSOM has no independent voice. One director for two schools doubles the workload while halving the attention. Each discipline deserves focused leadership to thrive.

If this plan proceeds, we risk losing valued staff, and retiring faculty may not be replaced by equally qualified experts. Imagine a celebrated professor—whose artistry attracts students from around the world—replaced by someone unprepared to meet our undergraduate and graduate student needs.

The Cost of Losing Our Voice

We are now inhabiting the most expensive UNL building project ever fully paid for by the state and its constituents. It is our responsibility—and our Dean’s responsibility—to ensure that we deliver instructional and artistic programming worthy of this historic investment made by the people of Nebraska.

We are excited about opportunities for innovation and collaboration. This new facility was designed to serve you, our students. But if we give up control of our facilities, there will be fewer opportunities for GKSOM students to fully utilize the incredible spaces and technologies in this facility.