LINCOLN- On Monday, Gov. Pillen praised the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Athletic Department for being "self-funded" and operating without state funds, but, when asked whether that should continue and if no state funding should be given to the University for a $450 million renovation of Memorial Stadium, Pillen stopped short of agreeing, saying that this process will entail a "discussion" but will not be his top priority.

"My focus right now is making the State of Nebraska can compete," said Pillen, "and the first place we have to compete is in tax policy. We have to make sure we're a fiscally conservative state and we have the courage to say 'no.'" As the NU System faces a $58 million budget shortfall, questions have arisen over how UNL plans to fundraise for the stadium renovation, should they be denied state funding.

"We have been self supporting because of the great Nebraska fans," said Pillen, "There's never been a tax dollar used, there's never been a fee used." According to reports, UNL still faces a roughly $125 million hole, with $225 million in private donations and $100 million from the athletic department already secured. Lawmakers recently granted $30 million to Creighton University for a baseball field.

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