Regents approve funds for student plaza

An artist’s rendering of the new student plaza that will be built by private funding approved by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Friday. The plaza would serve as the central outdoor area for student and campus activities and will convert into an ice rink in the winter months.

The vision of UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., of having a student plaza and ice rink on campus has moved a step closer to becoming reality.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved private funding on Friday to place a student plaza behind the new Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education.

The plaza will be constructed as part of a greenway on the east side of the Sorrell Center, which sits at the northeast corner of the 42nd and Emile Street intersection. It will serve as a central outdoor area for student and campus activities during warmer months and will convert into a mechanically frozen ice rink during the winter months.

“For years I have envisioned having a plaza and skating rink where students and employees can enjoy our campus atmosphere,” Dr. Maurer said. “I’m excited at the thought of this vision becoming a reality.”

The plaza will help to enhance campus life and develop a clear sense of academic place by creating a common space to be shared by the Colleges of Nursing, Pharmacy, Medicine, Public Health and the School of Allied Health Professions. The space will link to the UNMC Student Life Center.

“For years I have envisioned having a plaza and skating rink where students and employees can enjoy our campus atmosphere. I’m excited at the thought of this vision becoming a reality.” Harold M. Maurer, M.D.

The budget increase also will cover the construction of an architectural and/or artistic feature, which will be similar in concept to the Henningson Memorial Campanile at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and other sculptural features at the university’s other campuses. Preliminary plans call for the artistic feature — which may be health care themed — to be placed at the east end of the campus greenway.

The student plaza, ice rink and greenway extension will be designed by the architect for the Sorrell Center. A designer for the proposed campus identification monument will be chosen by conducting a national competition coordinated by the architect for the Sorrell Center.

“This new plaza will provide a beautiful space for our students to gather on campus,” said Don Leuenberger, UNMC’s vice chancellor for business and finance. “It will truly enhance the student experience on our campus.”

Medical student Curtis McKnight, president of the UNMC Student Senate, thanked Dr. Maurer and UNMC officials for creating a special place on campus for students.

“The student plaza will add some much needed green space and compose the heart of the academic campus,” McKnight said. “I have to agree with all the students I’ve talked with in saying we couldn’t be more excited about the project.”

Currently, the Sorrell Center budget calls for the construction of a four-story, state-of-the-art education center. This new budget increase allots an additional $5 million and is covered entirely by private donations.

Once completed, the Sorrell Center will house the UNMC College of Medicine. Construction on the Sorrell Center is set to be completed this summer and students will start attending class in the building this fall.

Also on Friday, the regents approved:

• A measure to name the new UNMC geriatrics center the Home Instead Center for Successful Aging;
  
• Three measures that will allow a land exchange between UNMC and OPPD to progress;
  
• The appointment of UNMC surgeon Ronald Hollins, M.D., to The Nebraska Medical Center’s Board of Directors; and
  
• The reappointment of Randy Ferlic, M.D., to the hospital’s board of directors. Dr. Ferlic is a clinical associate professor of surgery at UNMC.