Change provisions relating to instructional priorities and degree programs at state colleges

Nebraska Legislative Bill LB 833 changes how state colleges prioritize degree programs. It establishes a four-tier priority system: first for education bachelor's degrees, second for graduate programs in education and other fields, third for applied research, and fourth for specialist degrees. The bill specifically requires Chadron State College (western Nebraska), Peru State College (southeast Nebraska), and Wayne State College (northeast Nebraska) to limit new undergraduate programs based on their regional needs. It also allows these colleges to independently offer certain master's and doctoral programs after demonstrating capacity and securing approval from the Board of Trustees and the state education commission.