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The conversion of Martin Hall is the most recent major renovation to the University of Nebraska at Kearney and is set to be completed by January 2023. This project will provide fraternities and sororities with quality long-term housing while reconnecting students with the heart of campus.
“I am most excited for the return of fraternity and sorority life back onto main campus,” said Mason Casper, interfraternity council president. “I think that due to this change, fraternity and sorority life will be able to showcase to the rest of campus what it is we truly stand for, and I think that this will absolutely draw more students towards FSL.”
This $32.65 million project includes the renovation of UNK’s Martin Hall, a 39,700 square foot building just outside the Student Union, as well as the addition of a new 39,000 square foot building. Renovations include a community great room which will encourage interaction between the different organizations. There will also be a “clubhouse” located on the first floor and individual chapter rooms below.
“It’s exciting to be able to renovate something that has some historic relevance and value to the campus, and it’s looking really good,” said Renae Zimmer, Director of Student Engagement.
The project is moving along on schedule with drywall currently going up in Martin Hall. The new building is set to be ready for Fall 2023 classes, while Martin Hall is set to be completed by this Spring.
The next step in the moving process will be the coordination and communication between the organizations to ensure a seamless moving process.
“Each chapter has their own president; each chapter has their own advisor,” Zimmer said. “We’re going to have to sit down and have those meetings of looking at calendars, dates and availability; and all of that is going to be worked out in that planning phase.”
Zimmer is certain that people will be willing to help with the move when it is needed. This may look like the residence life and fraternity sorority life coming together, or simply the cooperation of the many organizations within greek life.
UNK plans to host alumni tours of Martin Hall during homecoming to promote the housing renovations as well as provide a sense of nostalgia for past students. Alumni will be able to tour the updated Martin Hall, as well as walk through the familiar University Residence North and South
The fraternities and sororities on campus today continue to be a strong presence at UNK. While only a couple weeks into the semester, the chapters are already planning all their events for the semester.
“I’m very proud of the community for kind of just digging in,” Zimmer said. “They’ve got a lot of grit. They are definitely leaders on this campus, and they do a lot for the community and for their philanthropic efforts.”
