I know we’ve discussed this previously, but why not talk about it again.
On Wednesday, UNO Chancellor Nancy Belck announced plans to double on-campus housing at UNO, from 1,200 beds to 2,400.
UNO, traditionally a commuter school, looks to double housing - Daily Nebraskan
Doubling of housing at UNO? - Omaha World-Herald
Ironically, the UNL student newspaper (the Daily Nebraskan) has the best news article about this subject.
Regent Charles Wilson
Regent Charles Wilson of Lincoln said while he supports the growth of the UNO campus to benefit the university, he is concerned the new housing may draw students away from UNL and UNK.
“It doesn’t do the system any good, or the state and the taxpayers any good, if we just shift students around,” Wilson said.
I thought the mission of the University of Nebraska was to put the students first. Generally, if a student attends UNO, on-campus isn’t going to be the primary reason they choose UNO over UNL or UNK. On the other hand, if a high school student has to eliminate UNO as a college choice because of a lack of on-campus housing, then the University of Nebraska system has done a disservice to the student, the state, and the taxpayers.
This is my favorite quote…
Wilson said UNO was established to serve students in the Omaha metropolitan area.
If it was meant to serve the Omaha area, then why is it named the University of Nebraska - Omaha. Maybe we should go back to calling ourselves Omaha University.
“UNO has already gone from a non-residential campus to 1,200 roughly over a period seven years,” Wilson said, “and each time we’re told, ‘That’s it – that’s all we need.’ So this is the fourth time that this has come up in the span of seven years and now we’re talking about doubling.”
Growth - it’s a terrible thing.
Wilson said he wants to learn more about the need for housing at UNO, and he won’t form a final opinion on the issue until after hearing the reasoning behind the proposal from Belck.
It sounds to me that he’s already made up his mind on this issue.
As an RA at University Village I would DEFINITELY agree that there is a definite need for a lot more housing! Every day I hear complaints from potential UNO students and their families about how there isn’t enough housing. They think that students who aren’t from Omaha should be the only ones allowed to live in the housing, and while that is completely unfair, I kind of see where they are coming from. Increased housing would cut down on so much of the complaints and worries from non-Omahans. Whether UNL and UNK like it or not…UNO is growing and we’re going to eventually be the “it” campus. If we’re growing, then we need more housing. Simple as that…so…Regent Wilson…I guess just accept the growth and the change. Go with the flow man
I completley agree. It’s a blatent disregard to the demands of the student body, and the potential student body of UNO. I don’t understand why we are limiting the progress of the University system. If UNO has the infastructure that it needs, our entire system will gain more prestige because we would have two top notch Universities in the system. Which is why I propose that UNO start a campaign to officially change it’s name to ‘Nebraska State University.’ It would show the rest of the state that we are on the same level as UNL, and would allow us to start getting some of the respect that we deserve.
I hate to be the voice of dissent on this since I completely understand UNO students’ desire for more campus housing. However, we have to keep in mind the history that has gotten UNO where it is today. The University of Nebraska system bailed-out the college that is now UNO, making significant improvements at great expense to the state and other campuses for the benefit of Omaha students. As the people of Nebraska and the Board of Regents reconsider and re-prioritize the educational needs of our state in the 21st century, it would be a selfish and ultimately very destructive act for this campus that has come so far to suddenly take a “go it alone” approach.
We need to work together to balance the historical understanding of UNO with its new possibilities. However, let’s be mindful to avoid delusions of grandeur - UNO is not “on the same level as UNL,” and that should not be its goal. They are different - have different appeals and hold different standards - and that’s a good thing. These two institutions better serve students and make better use of Nebraska taxpayers’ money precisely because of their differences and the choice that results.
Of couse, we should not be afraid of change, but let’s be careful these changes not be dictated by a needless inferiority-complex.
I agree with you about the inferiority complex Kyle. A lot of people see what UNL is and want to be able to say that UNO is better. In my opinion, we are better in some aspects, mainly things that have to do with the atmosphere.
Putting the inferiority behind; taking a look at expanding the housing is not a bad idea. I don’t think that having 2400 beds is going come into conflict with the UNL system at all. I mean, all we are doing is trying to accommodate all of our students. I don’t think anyone can say that UNO has plenty of housing. There is a waiting list that is only going to get longer in the oncoming years, and we should adjust for it. As for UNO buying everything on the south past center, I think that can be construed as overexpanding just smidgeon too much. I don’t see how expanding out that way is putting the student first. I admire your enthusiasm Cody about wanting UNO to get the respect it deserves. But that will come in time after our graduates go out into the world and can honestly they got a great education and felt that the University did everything they could to help them get to where they are.
In closing, Housing is a great idea, but PLEASE PLEASE fix parking first. If we had 1200 more cars permanently parked on campus, I would cry myself to sleep every night in dread of trying to park here the next day.
Parking is not, NOT the issue here. Resident and commuter parking are seperate.
The only reason people don’t like parking is because most of the time it is inconvienient, not unavailabe. I have never heard anyone say there is absolutely nowhere to park. Most of the time, I park at South campus and shuttle up. Nothing wrong with that.
Why does UNL have such a problem with UNO stendents getting an equally good education? Are they trying to hold UNO back?
I agree Abbey. It seems to me that the problem is not our so-called ‘inferiority complex’, but instead UNL and the other regents scared that there may be a university that could take away funds from the ‘flagship’ university. Granted, UNL will always be the ‘flagship’, in most people’s eyes because we are NE and we love football. But that’s no reason not to allow us to grow to the point where we can be equal when it comes to education.
And on parking, again you are right Abbey. Free parking is availabe at Crossroads. You don’t even need a pass, you just need to leave 10 minutes early which is hardly a big deal. Sure, it’d be nice to have parking for everybody at all times, but it’s simply not something that can be done.
I’ll stop there as I have a mid-term in T-minus 20 minutes. Study is good.
Cody
there are two new parking structures on main campus in the works
what did u guys think of lawrence at the meeting tonight? he seems like an excellent candidate for regent. Sounds like he wants to get things done