UNL leaders closing in on architecture, fine arts merger

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is engaging Lincoln architects and preparing for a merger between the College of Architecture and the Hixon-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.

Chancellor Harvey Perlman met with three dozen Lincoln architects last week to lay out UNLs vision for the proposed merger, which would result in the Hixson-Lied College of the Arts and Architecture.

The meeting comes more than a year after Perlman first proposed merging the two colleges into one academic unit led by Charles OConnor, the current dean of the fine arts college.

Perlman said the merger would combine two of UNLs smallest colleges to create a larger and more diverse college teaching industrial, environmental, architectural, visual and interactive design. The College of Architecture enrolled 490 students last fall; the College of Fine and Performing Arts had 807 students.

Regent Tim Clare of Lincoln said he's undecided on the merger at this time, but praised UNL for creating a forum with Lincoln architects to discuss the proposal.

We want to do whats best for the students, and to do that first we have to clear up any misunderstandings, Clare said. I think it was good foresight by (Perlman) to get out and address these issues, and for the architecture firms to hear straight from the horses mouth what the universitys plan is.

Clare said Lincolns architects -- nearly 40 attended the meeting last week along with NU Provost Susan Fritz and a few students -- will likely have another opportunity to meet with UNL leaders before the proposal goes before the full Board of Regents.

The regents Academic Affairs Committee has discussed the proposal, and two UNL groups have given the merger their support.

The Academic Planning Committee and the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska both approved the proposal, UNL spokesman Steve Smith said.

The Board of Regents will likely consider the merger at its April 10 meeting, but UNL is moving ahead with personnel decisions.

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UNL leaders closing in on architecture, fine arts merger