Life as a Husker

At Home on Campus

Whether your student is living in University Housing (a "residential" student) or commuting from a family home or off-campus residence (a "commuter" student), campus can become your student's home base.

"Attending events on my floor helped me build connections with students in my residence hall, which was great during long weekends when people went home and I couldn’t be with my family."
Sophia D. | Fort Worth, Texas

“I commuted my freshman year, and it’s so important to spend as much time as your student can on campus during the down time between classes and activities. Your student should find something that connects them to campus.”
Conner L. | Lincoln, Nebraska

Residential

Though living in University Housing may be your student's first venture into independence, they don't have to go at it alone! Each residence hall floor has a resident assistant (RA), who is an upperclass student who is there to assist your student in transitioning to college, feeling at home on campus, and getting to know other students on their floor. Your student will meet their RA during move-in. Each residence hall also has a team of professional staff, including a residence director (RD) who lives in the hall and is available to meet with students.

Right now, you’re probably most interested in Housing processes and move-in. Official move in will begin on August 16. Your student will receive an email update from University Housing outlining important dates and information for living on campus late this Summer.

All students will be assigned a move-in time and date to allow for safe and efficient curbside move-in. All dates and times will be sent out to students on August 2. Specific residence halls will be moved in on certain days. If your student's assigned date or time does not work for them, changes can be requested in the housing portal after August 2.

If your student has a contract-specific question, they can contact University Housing at housing.contracts@unl.edu or by responding to the contract confirmation e-mail.

More Move-In Information

Move-In Information

Check out the UNL Housing webpage for more details about the move-in process!

Commuter

You’ll learn more about campus parking and campus organizations later in this orientation. As for establishing your student's "space” on campus, they can consider renting a locker in Love Library for $7 a semester, and if they bring a bike to campus, they can rent a bike locker at the Outdoor Adventures Center for $10/month or $80/year. Some of our orientation leaders’ other recommendations are:

Find go-to hangout and study spaces. Check out this not-so-secret list of some of the best library study spots. The Nebraska Union (City Campus) and the Adele Learning Commons are among the most popular multi-use spaces. The Nebraska East Union on East Campus is fully renovated.
Bring food to warm up using the microwaves in the Adele Learning Commons (there are also toasters, a vending machine, and Dunkin’ Donuts). Microwaves and vending are also available at the student unions on City and East campuses.

What: University Housing manages all residence halls and dining halls.

Where: The halls are located throughout City and East campuses. Administrative offices are on the third floor of the Willa Cather Dining Complex.

How to: Your student can complete their Housing contract and other processes in their Housing Portal within MyRED. Review this detailed timeline of Housing to-dos.

How much: Billing rates depend on your student's assigned hall.

What if my student doesn't get along with their roommate?

Though most students have positive roommate experiences, it's possible your student will experience disagreements or conflict. If that happens, your student should first consult their Roommate Success Guide and discuss any issues directly with their roommate. If that doesn't work, they can talk to their RA, who can then connect them with the RD if necessary. Open communication is key to a positive roommate relationship. In the first two weeks of the semester, there is a housing freeze, and your student won’t be able to switch rooms so that conflicts or concerns have proper time to be resolved.

What are my student's meal plan options?

First-year students can choose from an All-Access, Platinum 15/600 or Diamond 10/1200 meal plan, which means they can choose to eat all their meals in the dining halls, or they can purchase a mix of dining hall meal swipes and Dining Dollars, which can be used at the residence hall convenience stores or grab-and-go meal locations. Transfer students have additional options beyond those listed above. Check out this detailed breakdown of meal plan options.

What are the campus food and drink options for commuters?

A variety of food vendors and coffee shops are available throughout campus. Here are some of the options:

Purchase a meal plan
Use the NCard or debit/credit card at a food/coffee vendor in the Nebraska Union (Starbucks, Imperial Palace, Subway, Valentino’s, Steak n Shake, Chick-fil-A) or Nebraska East Union (Starbucks, Union Café)
Go to Dunkin’ Donuts in the Adele Learning Commons
Yes Chef Café in Hawks Hall (College of Business) or the Academic Grind in Oldfather Hall