I love questions. I’m always interested to know what others are curious about. Of course, I also love being able to answer people’s questions. But if I don’t already have an answer, it gives me the opportunity to go looking for one.

Recently, I received a question about architecture. Someone in my district asked if the University of Nebraska uses professors or students in designing new buildings going up on our campuses. My first thought was that something like that might be difficult with academic schedules and full course loads, but since I didn’t really know the full answer, I went in search of someone who did.

That’s how I got connected with our Facilities Director, Ryan Swanson. As it turns out, this wasn’t a simple “yes” or “no” question.

As it turns out, our university professors on campus do not formally design university projects. However, at times they are involved with campus level project design reviews, and may even structure their student studio class projects around potential or active architectural endeavors to closely mirror real campus capital project delivery activities.

UNL Architecture professor Jeff Day recently did this for a tractor facility museum on east campus with his most recent summer studio. I also learned that at Kearney, the Interiors faculty will sometimes “make over” an office (think paint, carpet, and furniture) as part of a class project. This is done in conjunction with the facilities staff and the Chancellor’s office.

In some cases, outside architects will hold visiting adjunct studio positions or simply volunteer to take part in studio critiques throughout the educational process.

In that sense, it’s possible for a professor to be included on a professional project team. Additionally, the position of University Architect on campus has been asked in the past to take part in studio critiques or projects. This is because the person in that position already has a wealth of knowledge about sites and program data that is critical to developing a realistic plan.

We also have a number of student staff – in Architecture, Interiors, Engineering and Construction Science – on our team that we integrate fully into the design and delivery processes during their time on campus.

Overall, we are always trying to think about how best to provide the best education for our students, and achieve a high level of input and interaction.

I am truly grateful for this question about students, faculty and architecture. It gave me the chance to gain a greater understanding of the university that I love, and a greater appreciation for the exciting work being done on so many levels.

So here’s my question for you: what would you like to know?

*Barbara’s thoughts as written by Kate based on weekly (fascinating) conversations.

There’s something I’ve been noticing lately. While COVID-19 has all kinds of horrible implications for people’s health and well-being, it is also having an impact on a lot of people’s mindsets.

Maybe it’s a natural human response to persistent uncertainty, perhaps it’s a sign of resilience, but during this pandemic there has been a flux of new ideas, an openness to different ways of thinking, and (I hope) an impetus to change.

One example? Universities are notoriously slow to change… anything. There are all sorts of jokes about how glacially universities proceed on any given topic or project. But there’s something about this attitude of, “hey, while we’re in a weird state of everything we know having gone out the window, why not try something new?”

Here are some ways I’ve seen this in action:

1. Moving a ton of classes online.

Previously, not every major had many (or any) online courses. Since the pandemic hit and safety became the priority, a large number of classes are now available virtually. What this means is that students who normally wouldn’t take certain courses because they’re too far away can now take more classes they’re interested in. As we expand our online presence for different subjects, it opens doors for students to consider a broader variety of classes, and makes them more easily accessible.

One student I spoke with recently told me that she lives in Lincoln but has been accepted to the grad program in social work, which means a number of classes based at UNO. Because most of the classes are now online, she only has to drive to UNO for one class, and it has made the whole program more accessible for her.

2. Re-thinking syllabi.

It’s standard practice to evaluate and update class syllabi and course material. How often that happens is not as standardized. Because we’re converting so many classes to a different format, it has pushed us to review course outlines, explore new thinking and new ways to teach. That’s a positive for everyone.

3. Architecture.

We’ve been looking at our buildings and considering how they can be modified to meet the needs of our new online era. This is an opportunity to think about whether we can use buildings differently, more efficiently, or more creatively, with a global education in mind. We can re-think what it means to be “on campus.”

The service model is a great example. I love the idea of utilizing buildings within the community that are related to specific programs and education. It’s a rewarding experience to work and learn in the community itself.

In this way, what we think of as “campuses” can be much larger, more porous, more connected.

4. Looking at our schedule.

Going forward, we’re looking at ways to pilot shorter terms/semesters in between fall term and spring term, perhaps something long enough for an internship or shorter credit course. We’ve also been thinking about summers and how we can build in a number of certificate courses for people who want to upgrade their knowledge and skills within existing career fields.

Overall, in the midst of all the bad, there are pieces of good. We are trying new things. Some of those ideas won’t work out, but others will, and will continue to develop. Even though it’s a bad reason to have to do it – the pandemic is serious and devastating – everybody is talking about what kind of higher education will emerge from the period we’re going through right now.

I think the more we can focus on partnerships, progress, and piloting new ideas, the better it will look for everyone.

*Barbara’s thoughts as written by Kate based on weekly (fascinating) conversations.

I must have asked myself the question a thousand times. What has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began? Since there are hundreds of ways to answer that question, I’d like to focus on one aspect – the one that is also the primary focus of this blog.

So I’ll rephrase: what has changed for me as a regent since the COVID-19 pandemic started?

Well, it’s changed how we conduct our regent meetings. In August we had our first regents meeting that was completely in-person. It’s a requirement that these meetings are public, but there were two of us who couldn’t be in close proximity in live meetings due to health concerns. As a result, we ended up having our meeting in Baxter Arena!

The two of us with health concerns were set up in different suites. Since the suites are open to the arena, I could hear everything in the public space below and the whole thing was projected on the great big scoreboard screens. I have to admit, that was pretty cool.

One of the agenda items during regent meetings is what we call “kudos” where each campus nominates someone for outstanding achievements. Each of the nominees is recognized with a speech about how impressive they are.

When each of these kudos was announced, instead of the typically appreciative but reserved response, people cheered like crazy! I have to imagine the arena setting had something to do with it, which I really enjoyed. I hope the people being recognized felt that much more appreciated.

Another hope I have is that because Baxter Arena is a recognizable public space, perhaps more of the public will be inspired to attend. Our next meeting is in October… just putting that out there.

That said, I’m over the Zoom meetings. I appreciate what the technology has been able to do for us, to keep us safe. At the same time, it’s difficult to brainstorm in a virtual committee meeting. People are easily distracted, or sometimes not great with technology, or even just tired of seeing everyone as a floating head in a tiny box.

What I do miss during COVID-19 is the opportunity to see and talk to people. We’ve had the opportunity in the past to have dinners together prior to our meetings at interesting locations like the Lied Center, or the Quilt Museum. During the dinner or on coffee breaks we would all chat and get to know each other as people.

That includes our student regents. We only have a year to get to know them and I love learning about them – what they’re like, what they’re interested in, their dreams and aspirations. I used to wander around campus at the beginning of each semester and just chat with students.

It’s something I know we’re all missing, right now. Those in-person interactions help us become aware of each other as people, as fellow human beings.

And although there’s a lot we are longing for, morale at the University of Nebraska seems to be different since we opened. It was predicted that admissions across the country could be down by as much as 20%.

Because of some the efforts we undertook this summer – including Nebraska Promise and increasing the number of online summer programs – overall university enrollment was actually up 1%. That’s not the case in every school across the country, and there are a few programs that are down by a half a percent, but overall we’re feeling good about our student engagement.

Part of me wonders how much of that is due to the fact that UNMC has been involved in everything we’ve done to create a safe and healthy campus.

I actually hope that’s part of it. I hope that students, faculty, staff, and our community feels they can trust the university to have their safety and their best interests at heart.

So, what has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began? If it’s that we put more value on every moment we have with each other, that’s something to hold on to.

*Barbara’s thoughts as written by Kate based on weekly (fascinating) conversations.

*Photo credit: HDR Inc.