2005.04.04

The annual Airline Quality Ratings are now available.

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THE 15^th ANNUAL AIRLINE QUALITY RATINGS, PRODUCED BY RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA AND WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAVE BEEN FINALIZED.  THE RESULT?  JET BLUE, A LOW-COST CARRIER, HAS ONCE AGAIN EARNED THE TOP SPOT.  DR. BRENT BOWEN, DIRECTOR OF THE UNO AVIATION INSTITUTE, COMMENTS.

BOWEN: "The number one airline again this year is Jet Blue.  Jet Blue is continuing to maintain that number one position by providing consistent quality service throughout the entire time period."

THE REASON FOR JET BLUE'S SUCCESS?

BOWEN: "Maintaining last year's score, or very close to it, shows that they probably have the right mix of services and management to maintain and secure this top level position.  I would consider it a surprise had they not maintained the number one position this year."

FIVE OF THE TOP SIX AIRLINES IN THE RANKINGS, LIKE JET BLUE ARE LOW-COST CARIERS.  AMERICA WEST AT NUMBER SIX, ALASKA AIRLINES AT FIVE, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES AT THREE, AIR TRAN AT TWO.

BOWEN: "The 2005 Airline Quality Rating will show the consumers, without any doubt, that they're more likely to have a positive experience flying on a low-cost carrier.  They're more likely to be there on-time, to be there without problem, to be there with their bags."

A SURPISE AMONG THE TOP AIRLINES WAS UNITED AIRLINES IN FOURTH PLACE.  BOWEN SAID THE PROBLEMS UNITED HAS FACED DURING THE LAST YEAR MAY HAVE SERVED AS A MOTIVATION.

BOWEN: "These results and--especially United's result--can provide an example to all the legacy carriers, and to all the airlines that, yes, you can turn things around.  You can perform better in areas that are important to consumers if you try.  If you have buy in from your people, you can make a change."

EVEN WITH ALL OF THE POSITIVES COMING OUT OF THE RATINGS, BOWEN DOES SEE PROBLEMS LOOMING FOR THE FLYING PUBLIC AND THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.  THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FLYING HAS REACHED OR NEARLY REACHED A PRE-SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 LEVEL.   PROBLEMS WERE VERY APPARENT DURING THE PAST HOLIDAY SEASON WITH STRANDED PASSENGERS AND LOST LUGGAGE.

BOWEN:  "We may see systemic failure occurring regularly because we have not yet made any effort to improve our air space system capacity since September 11.  We did not use the time effectively to solve the problem."

MORE INFORMATION ON THIS YEAR'S RATINGS IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.AQR.AERO.

2005.11.10
Making time for wellness and fitness can be difficult, especially for women who are balancing both family and work. UNO Assistant Professor Jennifer White studies fitness and wellness issues and has some practical advice.
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2005.10.20
The library at a university serves more than students and faculty members. And collections today include everything from online journals to DVDs in addition to books. Steve Shorb, the dean of UNO's University Library, explains.
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2005.10.05
Starting the higher education selection process early is the message from David Cicotello, the director of New Student Enrollment Services at UNO. High school students and their parents have a wealth of information available to them.
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2005.10.05
In part II of this special Radio News Line, David Cicotello explains why campus visits can make all the difference in the college decision-making process for high school students and their parents.
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2005.09.14
Alice Schumaker, an associate professor in UNO's College of Public Affairs and Community Service, and a colleague from a Norwegian university have a unique educational exchange going on this semester. Students in their classes are meeting and discussing class work over the Internet.
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2005.07.27
Nebraska will be the center of the Information Systems world for four days in August. A world-class conference on cutting edge technology issues is expected to attract more than 850 people from across the planet to Omaha's Qwest Center. Two UNO professors have spearheaded organizing the event.
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2005.07.11
A unique collaboration between the Gallup Organization and the University of Nebraska at Omaha continues to grow and expand. Dr. Jerry Wagner, a distinguished research fellow at UNO, explains how a new laboratory at Gallup will create high tech internship slots available for students.
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2005.06.13
The Latina Summer Academy is in session this week at UNO. Sixteen young Latina women will get a taste of college and see what taking courses in math, science and technology could mean for them in the future. Curt Bayer, the director of executive education programs in the UNO College of Business Administration, discusses this unique program.
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2005.06.02
The University of Nebraska at Omaha recently has expanded its classes on entrepreneurship. Being your own boss can be a rewarding option for many according to Anne York, the director of the UNO Maverick Entrepreneurship Institute in the College of Business Administration.
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2005.04.14
The University of Nebraska at Omaha Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS) will host the Second Cumbre of the Great Plains starting April 22. Cumbre means summit. A wide variety of important immigration issues will be discussed, according to Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, a UNO political science professor and the OLLAS assistant director.
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2005.04.04
The annual Airline Quality Ratings are now available.
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2005.03.24
The UNO College of Information Science and Technology has a graduate fair and open house set for March 31. It's a unique opportunity to meet faculty, alums and local business people involved in cutting edge work in our region. Dr. Peter Wolcott explains why an advanced degree can be beneficial.
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2005.03.11
More than 200 University of Nebraska at Omaha students will be spending spring break swinging a hammer or using a paint brush. Instead of going on vacation, the students will be volunteering for Seven Days of Service, a program that renovates homes for people who need low income housing.
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2005.03.07
Learning does not just happen on university campuses. A group of UNO professors has made a connection in an area of Omaha with a growing immigrant community, and the result of that outreach will be new courses for students in the fall.
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2005.01.31
Technology has people of all ages simply swimming in information. How can you keep on top of e-mail, text messaging and cell phone calls? Dr. Ilze Zigurs, a professor in UNO's College of Information Science and Technology, has some advice.
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2005.01.24
The UNO Athletic Department has a special night of fun and information scheduled for women on Feb. 10. Hockey 101 will give participants a chance to learn about the sport, meet the Maverick Hockey team, and take a turn on the ice.
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