85-9,178 Legislative findings and intent.

85-9,178. Legislative findings and intent.(1) The Legislature finds that the State of Nebraska has a compellinginterest to provide access to the University of Nebraska, the state colleges,and the community colleges for students from diverse backgrounds whooften find that the financial requirements of postsecondary education area major obstacle. The Legislature further finds that the State of Nebraskahas a compelling interest in attaining greater diversity in the makeupof the student bodies at the University of Nebraska, the state colleges, andthe community colleges because of the educational benefits that a diverseeducational environment will produce for all students attending the Universityof Nebraska, the state colleges, and the community colleges.(2) It is the intent of the Legislature:(a) To appropriate funds to support a student diversity scholarship program for the purpose of developingmore diverse student bodies at the state's public postsecondaryeducational institutions;(b) That the student diversity scholarship program be designed and implementedso as to achieve a greater diversity in student populations in fulfillmentof the compelling interest found by the Legislature pursuant to subsection(1) of this section; and(c) That all funds appropriated by the Legislature for student diversityscholarships at the University of Nebraska, the state colleges, and the communitycolleges shall be used in coordination with private donations for such scholarshipsand in consultation with the major donors thereof and in coordination withfederal grant funds available to students at the University of Nebraska, thestate colleges, and the community colleges so as to maximize the level ofbenefits and accomplish the purposes of the Student Diversity ScholarshipProgram Act. SourceLaws 2000, LB 1379, § 2; Laws 2007, LB342, § 33; Laws 2009, LB440, § 1.