UNL Opens 1st Apartment Living, Renovated Rooms, Unlimited Dining

University of Nebraska-Lincoln students will find major enhancements to on-campus living when they move in next week. UNL's first apartment-style living units and unlimited market-style dining make their debut, and Harper Hall has had its first major renovation in 35 years.

Apartment living: Beginning Aug. 15, students will move into the new Husker Courtyards apartment-style residence hall at 17th and Vine streets. The building offers furnished, four-bedroom and two-bedroom units with full kitchens and a bathroom for every two students. Apartment-style living is a popular alternative to off-campus living, said Doug Zatechka, director of University Housing.

"As soon as we started taking applications for Husker Courtyards, there was a stampede," Zatechka said. "It's ideal for returning students who want to live on campus while enjoying the benefits of a private apartment."

At $470 per person per month, Husker Courtyards units include all utilities, cable television, local phone service, high-speed Internet access, laundry rooms on each floor, large storage rooms, special high-tech security and bathroom cleaning services. Husker Courtyards will house 478 students. A second apartment-style residence hall, Husker Village, is under construction at 16th and Y streets and will open in August 2005 with housing for 528 students.

Market-style dining: In early fall, the renovated and expanded Selleck Dining Center at 15th and S streets reopens with market-style dining and display cooking. Diners will find double the previous seating capacity with private dining rooms and outdoor dining. They will be able to select from a variety of foods that can be freshly cooked in front of them, including custom-made pizza baked in a wood-fired oven. Zatechka said expansion was needed because Selleck Dining Center is close to the academic core of the city campus, making it a popular choice for students who live in other residence halls and for parents and prospective students during campus visits and special events.

Similar renovations are planned for other dining centers with Harper/Schramm/Smith Dining Center slated for conversion to the market concept by fall 2005.

Unlimited access: New this year are meal plans that allow students one-price, unlimited access at all university dining halls, a plan unique to only a few universities nationwide. Under the new plan, students can have a snack anytime, in addition to regular meals. To accommodate the new meal plans, hours at all dining halls will be extended with the longest hours at Selleck Dining Center. Selleck will serve continuously weekdays from 6:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and from 10:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekends. It will also be open to the community ($4.80 for breakfast, $6.95 for lunch, and $7.10 for dinner).

"Students want choices and they want convenience," said Ron Burke, director of University Dining Services. "So instead of limiting them to three meals a day, we're giving them unlimited access. They can eat a dozen times a day if they want... graze... whatever you want to call it."

Harper Hall renovation: Aug. 19 marks official move-in day for Harper Hall in the Harper/Schramm/Smith complex near 14th and Y streets. Harper, essentially unchanged since its construction in 1969, was totally renovated over the summer with new lobbies, lounges and study rooms both in the main lobby and in living areas. The building also got high-tech security systems, new bathroom and private shower areas, and laundry rooms on each floor. Room improvements include all new furnishings, windows and heating and air conditioning systems. The other two high-rise buildings, Schramm and Smith, will be renovated next summer with completion set for fall 2005.

The first link below shows Jane Brubaker, an employee of Lincoln Laminating, sanding new curving counters in Selleck Dining Center. When it opens this fall, Selleck will feature display cookery. Selleck2.jpg cutline

The second link shows David Alder (left), an electrician with Willmar Electric Service, and Paul Parr, project manager with Hockenberg's Food Service Equipment and Supply, discussing installation of heating and cooling equipment in Selleck's new salad bar.

CONTACT: Doug Zatechka, Director, University Housing, (402) 472-3561 (out of office until Aug. 16);
or Susan Gildersleeve, Assoc. Director, University Housing, (402) 472-3886