North Central Self Study
Chapter 5: Criterion Three

The institution is accomplishing its education and other purposes.

Student Services That
Effectively Support the Institution's Purposes

The following student services reflect the experiences and assistance students at a residential campus have available outside of the classroom.

• Athletics: UNK offers both varsity and intramural athletics programs to provide competitive opportunities for athletes on a level commensurate with their abilities. A number of Men's and Women's varsity teams are fielded at the NCAA Division II level of competition. An Intramural Sports Program offers a variety of activities designed to meet the diverse needs and interests of the students. The varsity programs have earned the all sports championship in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for eight consecutive years. Athletes at UNK earned an aggregate grade point average of 3.00 during the last academic year (2002-03) with the Women's Basketball team ranked first nationally with an average grade point average of 3.73. The NCAA President, Myles Brand, described the campus as "a poster child for how to do it right: success in the classroom, success on the field." in remarks made as keynote speaker at Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Banquet held at UNK (February 3, 2004).
• Career Services: The Office of Career Services assists students as they make career decisions and seek employment opportunities. Career Services offers workshops on individual career advising appointments, career interest tests, and career exploration for students who are unsure of their career goals. For students who are preparing for the job or internship search, graduate or professional school, the following services are offered: workshops on resume and cover letter writing, interviewing skills, job search techniques, and host special events such as the Etiquette Seminar. In addition to career fairs and the on-campus interview program, Career Services Solutions gives students the opportunity to meet with potential employers. Career Services Solutions is a web-based internet registration that includes: On-Line Job List; Uploaded Word Resume; and On-Line Career Magazine and Tools. Students may utilize job search materials, company profiles, vacancy library, professional and graduate school directories, practice interview sessions, resume critique service, and education credential service.
• Cooperative Campus Ministries: Campus Crusade for Christ, Lutheran, Assembly of God, Roman Catholic, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches offer full time campus ministries to meet the spiritual needs of students. All of the campus ministries are available to all students for counseling, Bible study, Christian information classes, and worship.
• Financial Aid: The Office of Financial Aid assists students in financing their college education. Federal, state and institutional financial aid programs are administered through this office. This includes merit-based scholarships, grants, student and parent loans and Federal Work Study.
• Health Services: The Student Health clinic staff, which consists of licensed and qualified and experienced medical personnel, provides on-campus health and wellness care through services for minor procedures, testing, treatment, and health education information to students. Student Health strives to educate that pursuit of good health is a lifelong goal.
• Interfraternity and Panhellenic Council: The Interfraternity (IFC) and Panhellenic Councils (PHC) are guiding and governing bodies for the four sororities and seven fraternities at UNK. Both IFC and PHC develop policy, promote educational programming, coordinate Greek community efforts, foster inter-Greek relations, and further intellectual accomplishment and scholarships.
• Multicultural Affairs: The primary mission of the Office of Multicultural Affairs is to provide academic, cultural, social programs that foster the recruitment and retention of the multicultural student population. Multicultural students are defined as African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American students who are citizens of the United States. In keeping with the mission of the University, the Office of Multicultural Affairs promotes the awareness of all cultures and fosters the development and educational opportunities of all people, regardless of national origin or ethnic heritage. The office also assists all currently enrolled and prospective students to define and fulfill personal and educational goals.
• Nebraskan Student Union: The newly renovated Nebraskan Student Union strives to help students create meaningful experiences that support their academic endeavors and that enrich the quality of campus life. It contributes to learning experiences and leadership development outside the classroom through volunteer and employment opportunities, as well as through activities and special events. The Nebraskan provides space for two major campus auxiliary services: the University Dining Service and the Antelope Bookstore. It also houses a Computer Lab, Food Court, Taco Bell Express, Convenience Store Coffee Shop, Sweet Shoppe, Sandhills Dining Room, Conference Facilities, I.D. Card Office, Student Organization Offices, Shear Madness Hair Salon, and Posters and More.
• Ombudsperson: The Office of the Ombudsperson may assist any member of the University of Nebraska at Kearney community in the resolution of academic, administrative, or personal problems that cannot otherwise be resolved equitably within existing mechanisms. The Ombudsperson may listen to, investigate, and seek to mediate and resolve complaints concerning academic or administrative policies, procedures, practices or decisions.
• Residential and Greek Life: Approximately 2,000 students live on-campus at UNK, in eight traditional residence halls, two Greek complexes, and one apartment-style complex. The Office of Residential and Greek Life coordinates all campus housing, and is dedicated to maintaining an environment conducive to educational and personal development. A variety of specific living environment options are available to students, including honors/academic floors, independent living floors, Education and Business Learning Communities, Service Learning and Health Lifestyle Communities, double or single rooms, upperclass floors, Greek fraternity and sorority houses. All UNK residence halls have student computer labs with Internet access.
• Student Activities Council: Student Activities Council is an active organization that strives to make free time activity a complementary part of study and education. SAC provides educational, cultural, and social programming for all students of UNK.
• Student Employment Service: The Student Employment Service works closely with Kearney area businesses to assist UNK students in finding off-campus employment. Off-campus community service work opportunities and the America Reads Program are also coordinated through this office.
• Student Senate: The student government provides students with the means to participate in student-sponsored activities, to legislate in areas of student concern, and to represent student opinion. Student government is composed of three branches: Executive, Student Senate, and Student Judiciary.

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