conellbt@lopers.unk.edu
The university announced plans to tear down University Residence North and University Residence South, which house UNK’s fraternities and sororities.
These two buildings were constructed in 1991 and 1992 and were not set up like traditional dorms. Each building has four pods with separate entrances and chapter rooms, as well as a large common space that each pod shares. Louie’s Diner currently occupies the common space in URS.
The University announced the decision to Greek Life leaders last Wednesday. Despite the dilapidated state of the buildings, the decision brought concern to nearly 200 students living in them.
UNK estimates that repairs to the buildings will cost roughly $32 million. The issues are not structural but include maintenance and problems with mechanical infrastructure.
Todd Gottula, director of communications at UNK, said that due to the cost, renovation of the buildings is not an option. Cause for investigation into the state of these buildings arose following a burst pipe in the Alpha Xi Delta house last fall. After not being properly maintained, a pipe burst in the ceiling and flooded the first floor. The cost to repair the mishap was $300,000. Similar problems were then found in other houses.
University Residence North and South were built in response to a need to get Greek students living off campus on campus. In the early 90s, their life expectancy was only 20 years.
UNK currently is planning to move the Greek Life students into the Nester buildings. UNK has plans to make renovations to Nester in order to give the sororities and fraternities a similar living situation to the current houses.
