85-9,178.

Legislative findings and intent.

(1) The Legislature finds that the State of Nebraska has a compelling interest to provide access to the University of Nebraska, the state colleges, and the community colleges for students from diverse backgrounds who often find that the financial requirements of postsecondary education are a major obstacle. The Legislature further finds that the State of Nebraska has a compelling interest in attaining greater diversity in the makeup of the student bodies at the University of Nebraska, the state colleges, and the community colleges because of the educational benefits that a diverse educational environment will produce for all students attending the University of 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 developing more diverse student bodies at the state's public postsecondary educational institutions;

(b) That the student diversity scholarship program be designed and implemented so as to achieve a greater diversity in student populations in fulfillment of 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 diversity scholarships at the University of Nebraska, the state colleges, and the community colleges shall be used in coordination with private donations for such scholarships and in consultation with the major donors thereof and in coordination with federal grant funds available to students at the University of Nebraska, the state colleges, and the community colleges so as to maximize the level of benefits and accomplish the purposes of the Student Diversity Scholarship Program Act.