Frequently Asked Questions

We are staying on top of how university events might alter the NH remodeling project efforts. At this time, the project continues to move forward on schedule and at a fast pace. We will, of course, keep everyone updated if anything changes. 

As we have all seen in recent days, the COVID-19 situation is continuing to evolve and plans can change quickly. To best prepare for the unknown future, please remove personal belongings from the space as soon as possible. 

All efforts should be made to convert paper information to digital copies. However, in some cases, paper files are necessary. Please communicate with your supervisor if you will need to store any paper files. Library space currently is not incorporated in the master plan, so please communicate with your supervisor about any additional storage.

Due to space and power limitations, no items like coffee makers, microwave, portable heaters, or refrigerators cannot be placed within the workstations, and you are asked to start taking these items home before April 1st. There will be a few break rooms scattered throughout the spaces where they can be stored, including larger refrigerators for general use.  As we move further with the plan, we will communicate specifics for what will be available in the kitchenettes. We are exploring water hookups and will have more information in the future.

No, Moving Services will not move any personal items.  Moving Services will move your computer and chair to the swing space. Moving Services will move any new furniture and/or computers to the remodeled space.

Not directly. The Data Center and the Operations Center will remain how they are today – no remodeling of those spaces will occur.  Staff needing access to those spaces may need to take precautions, or use specific doors, depending upon the construction or demolition work on any given day.

Since we will have more folks working in close proximity, we will need to be aware of some personal behaviors. Other places have worked to establish ‘new rules’ for their spaces. We imagine working with our teams to establish these new norms. Suggestions include designating ‘quiet’ and ‘noisy spaces.’ Quiet spaces are normally at individual workstations and it is suggested at limiting conversations to a minimum within the workstations. It is also suggested that when someone is wearing their headphones to send them a message rather than start a conversation. The space will include white noise to cancel some of the noise in the space. Some teams innately are louder than others are, so we will cluster the teams away from those that are generally quieter. We also should dispose of smelly waste in the kitchenettes where trash is emptied daily.

Staff do not need to pay for parking at 56^th and O. Some staff may consider turning-in their parking permits during the remodeling period to save some money – just remember that situations may arise (including staff meetings) requiring access to traditional university locations. We have options of reserving parking stalls and/or meters for guests that come to NE hall. Permits from all other campuses will be honored in parking lots.   

Yes, the current floor plan is established and is moving forward as an open concept. Your future workspace will include a desk, chair and tower for some personal belongings. This will be a high-technology space. The floor plan allows for room for growth with future hires.

The swing space includes many conference rooms in multiple sizes that can be scheduled as needed. You can utilize the conference rooms for personal phone calls. All conference rooms will include technology for zoom/conferencing. We hope to include glass dry-erase boards in all conference areas as well as some smaller, portable dry erase boards. Hotel spaces can be used by any employee that works on a different campus, remotely, or at a different office on campus. The new space includes:

Open Concept Floor plan, cluster groups of staff with 4-8 workstations, 3 project  rooms, 5 conference rooms, 9 small conference rooms, 1 training room, 4 copy/work areas, 4 break areas, Movable furniture

You will use your current chair at 56^th and O. These will be moved for you.  There may be some surplus chairs available if you would rather use something other than the one you have today – let your AVP know if you would like to use something else. In the new space, we will have new, matching chairs. Once the furniture is bid, we imagine a time to offer a couple of choices for chairs, but they will all be new and match. More information will be available in the future.

A stand-up desk, a chair, and a tower that contains space for some personal belongings. The desk will contain a screen that creates privacy between you and your neighbor. The screen is attached to your desk and will move with your desk.

It is really important to return to the purpose of this project. Just over a year ago, Dr. Fritz shared a vision of elevating data across our institution in order to help us be a data driven university. Efforts to improve collaboration between the enterprise systems, data warehousing, and ITS service units would be drastically improved by creating shared space. As Senior Advisor to the President, Mark Askren was tasked with overseeing the project. It was soon identified that an open concept floorplan with many conference spaces would map to efforts by other institutions and fit our needs. After initial planning, Dr. Fritz and Chris Kabourek identified funding from LB957 to improve state facilities. We are really provided both an opportunity and a gift. We get to elevate campus needs by integrating our teams, services, and skills while moving into a modern, efficient, and updated space. As a whole, we are part of a mission that is bigger than the individual work we complete.

The new space will have shades for all windows that match the new plan. Lighting will be softer and meet current standards. The lighting will be in overhead ‘cloud’ structures. The lights will not be dimmable for personal spaces.

On the third floor, the reception area and training room will not be secured. Current plans include door/keycard access once you move past the reception area. We received a suggestion of adding keycard access to the second floor and are exploring this option.

The bathroom and breakroom on the SE corner of the third floor will not be remodeled. The hallways will be impacted by the remodel as that the conference rooms will push into the extra space in the hallways.

A fiber path from the campus to 56&O is in place today, university IP addresses will be assigned, and the wireless network will operate just as it does on campus.  To the extent possible, every computer will have access to a wired connection.  If you believe you have specific network or security concerns beyond what a “typical” university network connection would provide, be sure your AVP is aware of those needs asap so that appropriate network services are in place prior to moving in.

All computers and docking stations will be interchangeable to enable mobile collaboration. Therefore, everyone will have a similar configuration. Before moving back to a renovated Nebraska Hall, everyone will receive an upgrade to the latest ITS standard configuration that includes a single laptop, two monitors, a dock, a wired keyboard & mouse, webcam, and wired headphones for softphone & virtual meetings. Upgrades will be scheduled in advance, by need and available supply. You will be contacted when your equipment is ready.

• The laptop can run in an open position to provide a third monitor if desired.

• Some laptop briefcases are available for those people that don't already have a suitable personal bag.

• If you require a wired ergonomic keyboard & mouse, please convey your specific request to your supervisor

• Laptops include a 13/14 inch screen, 4-core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, 512 GB storage.
  • Windows & Linux users will receive a14" FHD (touchscreen) Lenovo ThinkPad T490.
  • macOS users will receive a13-inch MacBook Pro and aStartech USB-C Multiport Travel Adapter.
• Two 25"Dell U2520D – QHD (2560 x 1440) monitors. New desks will include monitor arms.
• CalDigit USB-C Pro Dock.
• Logitech MK120 wired keyboard & mouse.
• Logitech C615 HD webcam.
• Poly Blackwire 5220 wired stereo headset. (USB-A or USB-C depending on laptop compatibility.)

Wired accessories provide many benefits. They are extremely reliable, environmentally responsible, economical, and they enable seamless mobility in an open office; they immediately "pair" with any connected laptop. Additionally, when in an open office, every effort must be taken to reduce interference between wireless technologies sharing the 2.4GHz spectrum, so that essential devices operate when needed.

One computer, a laptop, will be provided to ITS staff going forward. If you require a virtual desktop or a second computer for development/testing, please convey your specific request to your supervisor. A location will be identified soon in Nebraska Hall where you can deposit any computers or other equipment you need to return. If you have had sensitive data on a device, please contact support@nebraska.edu to schedule a pickup of your device so that it can be erased accordingly.

Shared copiers and printers will be available in strategic locations at 56th & O. The Nebraska Hall renovation will include copy/work locations on each floor with shared multifunction copier/printer/scanners. No personal printers can be placed within a workstation. The location of these devices will be shared in a future update.

A softphone, and a wired headset, will be provided to all staff. Handsets will not be provided at temporary locations or the renovated Nebraska Hall to conserve desk space. Instructions on how to install and use your softphone will be coming soon.