More Efficient Energy Distribution Comes to UNK

A multi-phased, highly visible, construction effort to develop a centralized utility distribution system for the expanding UNK campus is nearing completion.
The Central Utilities Plant and Tunnel Project, when switched on later this year, is designed to more efficiently supply steam heat and chilled water to all parts of the campus through an extensive underground distribution system of improved tunnels and new construction.
The “Tunnel Project”--part of the development of the University’s utility infrastructure-- extends from the combined boiler and chiller facility on the site of an old city powerhouse (razed in 2007). Some of the old steam lines dated back to the 1930s, which meant that much of the system had to be rebuilt to meet both modern safety and efficiency standards.
During the construction over the past 18 months, changing fence lines criss-crossed the campus. Though inconvenient at times, students and faculty found new walking routes and parking spots, generally in good humor.

UNK Bruner Hall of Science and Planetarium

The Bruner Hall of Science, the home of chemistry, biology, physics and health sciences programs, is being significantly renovated and will be complete by Fall 2009. Construction is currently ahead of schedule and under budget.

The 1960’s era Mary Morse Lecture Hall was razed to make way for a new 17,800 square-foot addition with a new planetarium (certain to become a new campus landmark) plus five new classrooms, an herbarium, and offices for Health Science programs. Much of the existing Bruner Hall was gutted and is being replaced with modern faculty research and teaching labs.

The budget for the project is $14,551,000, of which $14,000,000 was allocated from the Nebraska legislature. The remaining $551,000 came from a NASA grant for planetarium equipment.

In 2001, Bruner Hall underwent a maintenance renovation at a cost of approximately $6,400,000. This work upgraded the heating and cooling machinery, made ADA modifications to restrooms, installed a new elevator and repainted walls and ceilings.

In 2004, a second phase of renovation constructed a new greenhouse east of Bruner Hall . North of the new greenhouse facility, a new stand-alone research biology laboratory building was built in 2006.

Changing Demographics in Nebraska

UNK’s traditional student base has been Western Nebraska. This region continues to be the campus’ “homebase,” while at the same time UNK draws students from every county, 47 states, and 49 foreign countries. Adding to the region’s (and UNK’s) challenges, the population of Nebraska is rapidly moving east to the urban centers of Omaha and Lincoln. Directly affecting UNK, the number of high school seniors in the state is expected to decrease from 21,838 in 2002 to 19,785 in 2012, even as five new Class A high schools and a new Class B high school have been created in the urban centers while at the same time several Class A high schools in Western Nebraska have been converted to Class B schools.
As dramatic, in 2002 four percent of students were Hispanic, while in 2017, that percentage is projected to be 20 percent. Adding to the challenge for schools, while 6 percent of students were Hispanic in 2006, the same group accounted for 20 percent of dropouts.
Poverty Related to Demographics
Of the nation’s poorest 12 counties, Nebraska has 7 of them. One half of the state’s students (150,000) live in just 5 counties where the average per capita income is $15,000 to $22,000 over the national average. The other half live in the other 88 counties, where per capita income is $14,000 below the national average.
UNK continues to serve all of Nebraska, while remaining strongest in its home region. In fact, in spite of UNK’s smaller size (6,500 students) more college-bound seniors in the majority of counties choose the Kearney campus to earn their NU degree. UNK’s smaller size, strong faculty support, its emphasis on teaching, and the residential experience combine to enable UNK to achieve one of the highest student retention rates (81%) of its peer universities. UNK is rising to its most pressing challenges.

UNK Enters a New Era

Many visitors to UNK who last visited only 5 years ago say they do not recognize the campus. Under the leadership of Chancellor Douglas Kristensen, UNK has embarked on an ambitious campus revitalization and renewal program that includes not only a $22 million, suite-style residential complex, but also a newly renovated Bruner Hall of Science, a new Planetarium, a new Cope Stadium, a relocated and modernized Central Utility Plant and tunneling system, remodeled existing residence halls, and a major facelift for the campus through landscaping and trees.

The campus upgrades are being accomplished as UNK continues to grow steadily, especially its graduate online programs, international students, non-resident students, and degrees granted. In fact, at 11 percent, UNK enjoys by far the largest percentage of international undergraduate students of any other campus in Nebraska and neighboring states.
While growing, UNK has been recognized, as well, for its academic excellence as a top 15 public university in the Midwest at the Masters level by U.S. News and World Report.
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