No matter where a student lives on campus, joining a learning community is a valuable part of their first-year experience. On-campus housing serves as a “home away from home” for many students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, playing a crucial role for first-year students.
As housing contracts for the new academic year become available, significant changes are being made to the structure of learning communities within the Suites.
Danny Steiner, associate director of housing and dining strategy and development, explained these changes, noting that the learning communities will be moving from Abel Hall to the Suites.
“There’s been a small shift in housing that involves the Suites. To summarize, Learning Communities are moving from Abel Hall to University and Eastside Suites for the 2025-26 academic year,” Steiner said.
According to Lucas Novotny, executive director of housing and dining services, changes are already being implemented to increase student involvement in learning communities.
Before the pandemic, over 500 students participated in learning communities. This year, that number has decreased to 195, according to Steiner. Novotny aims to increase enrollment to the 400s with the new initiative.
Why make the change to the structure of learning communities? According to Steiner, the shift reflects the university’s commitment to student care and fostering a sense of belonging.
Most first-year students at UNL typically reside in traditional-style halls like Abel, Sandoz, Harper, Schramm, and Smith. Living in a traditional hall is an excellent way to build community, making it vital for incoming students, according to Steiner.
“That is supported by our internal assessments and national research,” Steiner said.
Steiner emphasized that there is a key difference between living in a traditional-style hall and a suite-style building, and students living in the suites will benefit from the university’s decision to relocate learning communities.
“Living in a Learning Community also helps with community building, so we’re confident that moving them to the Suites, where the typical ‘floor community’ might not be as strong as in traditional halls, will still be beneficial,” Steiner said.