University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Dr. Rodney Bennett will receive a $1.1 million severance package when he resigns Jan. 12, sparking outrage from faculty who say the payout contradicts the university's claims of financial crisis that led to eliminating academic programs including a key education leadership department.
The American Association of University Professors' UNL chapter condemned the separation agreement, which the Board of Regents approved following Bennett's abrupt resignation announcement Monday. The payout comes just weeks after the board voted to eliminate four academic programs, including the Department of Educational Administration, which served more than 300 graduate students preparing for leadership roles in K-12 schools and higher education.
Bennett joined UNL as chancellor in July 2023 for a three-year term but will depart nearly six months early, making his tenure among the shortest in UNL history. He led the campus through $27.5 million in budget cuts that included eliminating the educational administration department and three other programs, affecting more than 50 faculty members and 500 students.
The December 5 vote to eliminate the programs came after more than 100 people testified against the cuts during a five-hour public comment session. The Board of Regents voted 8-0 to eliminate educational administration, which offered doctoral programs in educational leadership and higher education, plus a master's degree and administrative certification programs.
The decision drew national attention from education leadership experts who called it unusual for a flagship Research-1 institution to eliminate such programs.
In November, Bennett became the first UNL chancellor to receive a vote of no confidence from the Faculty Senate, which passed 60-14. Faculty cited concerns about his leadership, transparency and approach to shared governance during the budget reduction process.
The educational administration department generated $1.2 million in annual tuition revenue and held $3.6 million in active external grants. According to financial analyses, eliminating it could result in a net annual loss when accounting for future revenue streams.
The AAUP chapter called for an immediate halt to faculty and staff terminations, reconsideration of program eliminations, and full transparency regarding university finances and executive compensation.
Under the separation agreement, Bennett receives the lump-sum payment in addition to continued salary and benefits through his resignation date. His annual salary was $732,000.
Bennett had initially been subject to a $1 million penalty if he resigned before June 30, 2025, to take another academic position, but that provision expired last summer.
Dr. Katherine Ankerson, who recently retired as UNL's chief academic officer, will serve as interim chancellor.
In his resignation email, Bennett highlighted enrollment stabilization and financial planning during his tenure but did not explain his departure. He said he looked forward to "exploring opportunities on the horizon" in education.
Nearly 70 long-tenured faculty members faced a deadline Monday to decide whether to accept a university-wide early retirement offer. Officials have not disclosed how many faculty accepted the buyout package.
The broader budget reduction plan also eliminated programs in earth and atmospheric sciences, statistics, and textiles, merchandising and fashion design, while merging other departments. The cuts were designed to address what administrators described as a $21 million structural deficit caused by rising costs, declining international enrollment and flat state funding.
