Sign-On Letter: Protect Nebraska’s Community and Regional Planning Program
To the Academic Planning Committee, University of Nebraska–Lincoln:
We, the undersigned, strongly oppose the elimination of the Community and Regional Planning (CRP) Program at UNL.
This is Nebraska’s only PAB-accredited program and the primary pathway to professional planning practice in the state. Community and regional planning is a critical profession dedicated to protecting public health, safety, and welfare—shaping sustainable, resilient, and equitable futures for communities across Nebraska and beyond.
Without UNL’s program, Nebraska would lose its ability to educate and prepare the planners who guide growth, protect resources, and strengthen communities. The state would be left without the expertise needed to plan for economic development, housing, transportation, hazard mitigation, and the preservation of Nebraska’s unique landscapes and resources.
The program is essential because it:
- Provides the only accredited pipeline of professional planners in Nebraska.
- Addresses urgent workforce needs, with strong demand across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
- Keeps talent in the state, with graduates serving in communities large and small across Nebraska.
- Delivers direct value to Nebraska communities through student projects, partnerships, and service-learning that provide real-world solutions.
The Community and Regional Planning program is essential for UNL’s mission as a comprehensive land-grant university and for Nebraska’s economy, communities, and future resilience. Eliminating it would diminish both the university and the state.
We urge the University to maintain and strengthen this essential program.
Sincerely,