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Prospective UNO Building Partners

Eligibility | Application Process | Review Process | Expectations

The CEC aims to share its spaces with UNO individuals and organizations that align with and support our values and vision. Spaces in the partnership suites are available to eligible UNO-based organizations that submit a successful proposal through an internal application process. 

A space application for UNO organizations will be released early in the spring semester of 2020. Prospective applicants are welcome to schedule meetings with Heike Langdon, CEC Manager of Possibilities, prior to the release to discuss opportunities in the building. You can email her at halangdon@unomaha.edu. Please watch this web page and social media for announcements, or sign up to receive email notifications here.

 

Eligible UNO Applicants

  • UNO faculty and staff
  • UNO colleges, departments, programs, and/or initiatives 

Here some examples of eligible activities:

  • Short-term grant or collaborative project/program 
  • A long-term grant or collaborative project/program
  • Housing a visiting scholar/researcher focused on community engagement
  • Engaged research (e.g., applied research, evaluation study, etc.)
  • Engaged teaching (e.g., a P-16 service learning partnership or multifaceted service learning project)
  • Engaged service (e.g., a department-based outreach program)
  • Space for a visiting faculty or scholar who will be focused on engagement (must have a UNO sponsor)

Please note that applications for space for UNO student-run organizations are not being accepted at this time. UNO students are, however, welcome to request a small meeting or project room for a one-time collaborative class project or study group. View the CEC's Who We Serve page to learn more.

Types of campus organizations that are NOT well-suited for the CEC spaces:

  • Individuals/organizations that intend to provide direct or confidential services to students or clients, e.g., advising, counseling, treatment, one-to-one training, etc. in the CEC (due to the open nature of CEC office space).
  • Individuals/organizations that intend to offer regular and frequent training or classes (including UNO classes) in the CEC as part of the proposed CEC-based project/program.  The CEC does not allow any organization to schedule regular events or multiple spaces on a daily or weekly basis.
  • Individuals/organizations looking at the CEC primarily as a location for office and meeting space, and not as a rich opportunity for expanded community collaboration.
  • Individuals/organizations seeking permanent space in the CEC. The CEC is designed to be flexible and responsive to the evolving and growing engagement needs of the university and general community. Outside of designated UNO anchor engagement organizations already in the CEC, we do not commit any space to the permanent needs of any UNO or community organization.

Before and During the Application Process

  • Before you begin your application, please review the CEC building partner eligibility and expectations sections of this page, as well as the CEC's values.
  • You must meet with Heike Langdon, the CEC's Manager of Possibilities, before submitting your application for space. You can email her at halangdon@unomaha.edu. 
  • Once you have met with Heike, you will receive an individualized link to begin the application online and a preview of the questions. Please note, your link will be specific to your application so it will be important to save this link. We highly recommend saving your answers to each question as you go in the event of any unforeseen issues arising (e.g., wireless internet, computer crash, etc.).
  • The initial maximum occupancy for UNO organizations is 2 years (there will be an opportunity to reapply for space).
  • The online application form for UNO organizations includes a question asking if the immediate chair or director has approved the application. Please attain this approval before submitting the application.

Effective 2020:

  • UNO building partners will be required to sign a rental/space agreement indicating an understanding of an agreement to abide by CEC policies.
  • UNO building partners will be required to go through a reapplication process on a regular (2 year) basis.

 

Application Review Process

Applications submitted will be reviewed by an internal UNO selection committee composed of representatives from Academic Affairs and the Division of Student Success. The selection committee will make recommendations for university building partners to UNO’s Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

 

UNO Building Partner Expectations

UNO building partners located in the CEC are expected to be active participants in the building’s culture and contribute positively to its success. We encourage taking advantage of opportunities to work with our community building partners as well as other community organizations. Here are some examples of how our university building partners support the CEC’s overall purposes and values:

  • Leading capacity-building workshops for building partners
  • Offering expertise to building partners in research or evaluation design
  • Providing insights into best practices
  • Connecting students for internships, capstones, or other community-based learning projects
  • Collaborating with other community/university CEC building partners in mutually beneficial ways
  • Sharing news and lessons learned from the CEC experience through UNO public relations materials, social media, and organizational communications
  • Participating in annual surveys and evaluations

While there is no specific expectation regarding how much time any UNO personnel should be present in their CEC workspace(s), our experience is that the enriching benefits of operating programs in the CEC are greatly enhanced through active collaboration, face-to-face interactions with building partners and staff, and participation in CEC partner events. UNO applicants should factor this benefit into their planning for their proposed projects and programs in the CEC.