01/31/2013

UNL moving to the Big Ten

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents has unanimously approved a resolution in support of UNL seeking membership in the Big Ten Conference. At its meeting on June 11, the Board approved the resolution following presentations from UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman and Athletic Director Tom Osborne outlining the rationale for UNL to move from the Big 12 to the Big Ten and its academic counterpart, the Committee on Institutional Cooperation.

The resolution said, in part, that the board found the “tangible and intangible benefits” of UNL’s membership in the Big Ten Conference and association with the CIC to be very favorable and compelling.

Later in the day, it was announced that the Big Ten Conference of Presidents/Chancellors had approved UNL’s application. Perlman indicated that participation in the athletic conference competitions would begin in 2011, and participation with the CIC would begin immediately.

NU President James B. Milliken said, “We look forward to joining an extraordinary group of institutions that have demonstrated strength in athletics, a loyal and dedicated fan base and an exceptional level of academic achievement.” He added that the alignment with the Big Ten would bring new opportunities for faculty collaboration, and could greatly enhance the University’s research, student recruiting and partnerships with the private sector.