New Semester Guide

Mavericks,

With the start of the 2021-2022 academic year and Fall 2021 Semester upon us, it is important to make sure you have all the information and resources you need to be successful.

Whether it's supporting each other as a Maverick family; being an advocate for UNO's mission and values; or just showcasing your Maverick Spirit as we return to more on-campus operations and activities we want to make sure you have the resources, information, and tools you need to start the new semester.

For those who are new to UNO, welcome!

For those who are not new to UNO, but new to campus, welcome!

For those who are returning to campus for the first time since last year, welcome back!

Please know that we see you, you are welcome here, and we are in this together.

Navigating the New Semester Guide

Each of you has a unique and important reason for being a member of our Maverick family. To help you in achieve those goals, the UNO New Semester Guide provides a quick refresher to help you get around campus and the city; connect with other Mavericks; take care of yourself; and get help you may need along the way.

If you have questions about anything you read, please call the UNO MavIGATION Station at 402.554.2800 to get connected with someone who can help. And be sure to follow UNO's social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Jump to section:

• What is a Maverick?
• Getting to Know Chancellor Li
• COVID-19 Guidance
• Discover and Explore Campus
• Connecting on Campus
• Taking Care of Your Self
• Getting Help

What is a Maverick?

As a part of the Maverick family you are joining a campus community of independent thinkers willing to work a littler harder, a little longer, challenge assumptions, and look at new ways of doing things. We support excellence, engagement, inclusion, discovery, integrity and - above all - Maverick Spirit.

• Mavericks are innovators; 41% of our students are first generation.
  
  
• Mavericks are trailblazers; 25% of our students come from underrepresented communities.
  
  
• Mavericks are local; 80 of Nebraska's 93 counties are represented in our student body
  
  
• Mavericks give back; more than 343,000 hours of Maverick support supported the community last year
  
  
• Mavericks are everywhere; there are more than 114,000 living UNO graduates across the world.
  
  
• Mavericks are champions; in 2021, UNO's 256 student-athletes achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.56

Getting to Know Chancellor Li

Chancellor Joanne Li became the 16th Chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha on July 1 of this year.

Coming from Florida International University, Chancellor Li is a strong advocate for student success with a track record of engagement, enrollment growth, retention, and post-graduate success.

She is the first woman of color to serve as UNO chancellor and the first Asian-American in the history of the University of Nebraska system to hold an executive leadership role.

• Read Chancellor Li's Message to the UNO Community
• A Spotlight on Chancellor Li's Accomplishments
• Getting to Know Chancellor Li
• Follow Chancellor Li on Twitter
• Join Chancellor Li for "A Cup With Jo"

COVID-19 Guidance

One of the most important things we can do as a Maverick community is to take steps to keep ourselves and each other safe.

Please bookmark the Maverick COVID Response website for the latest information and make sure to review these recently announced recommendations and related FAQs.

Also, be sure that you are using the 1-Check UNO app to monitor any COVID symptoms you may have.

Above all else, please be sure to be kind, respectful, understanding, and flexible this semester as the information around COVID-19 is fluid. Our enemy is COVID, not each other.

As the semester gets underway, be sure to familiarize yourself with these important elements of current UNO COVID guidance:

• Masking Policy
• Vaccine Information
• Event Requirements
• Travel Recommendations

Discover and Explore Our Campus, Otherwise Known as Omaha

As a premier metropolitan university, UNO is an integral part of the Omaha community. Whether your are a lifelong Omahan or you are new to the city, take the opportunity to learn more about why UNO is Omaha's university.

• Many Ways to Get to (and from) Campus - Through partnerships and a focus on sustainability, there are a wide variety of ways to help you travel - from taking the bus to riding a scooter. Be sure to plan ahead and give yourself enough time to make your way to and from campus in the first week.

• Information on Campus Buildings and Maps - New to campus? Check out our Buildings and Maps page to learn where things are on campus, what they offer, a how long they've been a part of our campus!
  
  
• Parking Permit Information - Need to get to campus in your own vehicle? Make sure you have a parking permit! There are many options to fit your need and schedule.

• Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center - A one-of-a-kind facility on the UNO campus dedicated to community outreach, collaboration and access.

• Service Learning Academy - Support for UNO faculty members and students who want to their coursework beyond the classroom and apply their knowledge in service to the community.

• Aksarben Village - A historic neighborhood with dozens of food and entertainment options, including Baxter Arena, home to UNO hockey, basketball and volleyball.

• Elmwood Park - Stretching from UNO's Dodge Campus to Scott Campus, Elmwood Park is a great place to job, study, or just spend time outdoors.

• Dundee - Located to the north of UNO's Dodge Campus, the Dundee neighborhood is home to historic homes, great food and the Dundee Theatre, featuring free access for students the first Monday of each month.

• Memorial Park - Home to luscious green space and monuments honoring fallen service members from World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

• Blackstone District - Home to a variety of local businesses, the Blackstone District is located next to the University of Nebraska Medical Center between 41st and 37th Streets.

• Midtown Crossing - An Omaha destination for food, shopping, entertainment and more. Located just up the street at 33rd and Dodge Streets.

• Old Market - A popular tourist destination and shopping district with endless opportunities for entertainment.

• Benson - The Old Market's quirky cousin with plenty of nightlife options for music, food and locally-owned shops.

Connecting on Campus

The first week of classes can be an exciting opportunity to meet new people, explore new opportunities, and get engaged with your community. Here are some important resources to help get you started as you navigate the new semester.

• UNOmaha App - A one-stop mobile resource for news, campus events, and more. Download for free on the Apple App or Google Play stores.

• WiFi Options on Campus - Be sure to familiarize yourself with the UNO Campus' variety of WiFi options and how to access them.
  
  
• The Maverick Daily - A daily news digest for UNO faculty and staff.
  
  
• The Bullseye - A weekly summary of news, events, and opportunities for UNO students.

• Durango Days - UNO's official welcome celebration, Aug. 22 - Sept. 4.

• UNO Bookstore - Need books, supplies, or some awesome Maverick apparel? Visit the UNO Bookstore in person in the Milo Bail Student Center or online at www.unobookstore.com.

• Omaha Athletics - A fully Division I athletic program with 15 different teams. #EveryoneForOmaha

• Presence - Presence is a campus engagement platform for UNO students - providing information and access to clubs, organization, and events and other ways to be involved, as well as track involvement activities over a student's time as a Maverick.

• Student Government - Supporting student priorities at a campus level, Student Government represents the student body from each college.

• Staff Advisory Council - Representing the goals and needs of UNO's staff and providing opportunities for professional development opportunities.

• Faculty Senate - An elected body supporting the needs of UNO's faculty.

• UNO Gateway - Read the student-led campus newspaper. News for students by students.

Taking Care of Yourself

Make use of these campus resources to ensure that you are saying well mentally, physically, academically, and professionally.

• Nebraska Medicine UNO Health Center - A UNO-based clinic with a range of services offered and access to students, faculty, and staff.

• Counseling and Psychological Services - Professional and confidential counseling services offered on campus.

• Faculty-Staff Employee Assistance Program - The FSEAP provides complementary counseling services for employees to discuss struggles with stress, finances, work-life balance, and more.
  
  
• Ombuds Services - The Ombuds staff assists students, faculty, and staff members with informal conflict resolution and problem-solving, navigating difficult situations, and advocacy for fair processes and fair treatment.
  
  
• Public Safety - Offering a range of services to keep everyone at UNO safe. Call 402.554.2911 for an emergency.

• Title IX - Providing a private and confidential space to report any issues of sex-based discrimination or assault. Be sure to complete your required Title IX training as well!

• The Wellness Center and Campus Recreation - State of the art facilities and programming open to campus and the community.

• Maverick Food Pantry - A resource for Mavericks dealing with food insecurity. Located in the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center.

Getting Help

Everyone needs a helping hand once in a while and there are a variety of resources available for our students, faculty, and staff, to be successful in the new year.

Student Support Services

• Academic and Career Development Center - Supporting students' professional and academic development.

• Accessibility Services Center - Ensuring reasonable and appropriate access and accommodations for all students.

• Military and Veteran Services - Support for all military affiliated students and their dependents.

• Gender and Sexuality Resource Center - Fostering and promoting equity, access and inclusion for all genders and sexualities.

• Multicultural Affairs - Programming and services to ensure the success of all underrepresented students at UNO.

• Math-Science Learning Center - Faculty and peer-led support for academic challenges in the areas of math and science.

• Speech Center - Customized, personalized support to enhance presentation and public speaking skills.

• Writing Center - A place to ask questions and get feedback through any stage of your writing process.

• Canvas - UNO's Learning Management System and a great tool to connect with your instructors.

• Class Search - Be sure to find when and where your class meets, or sign up for a new class if needed.

• Academic Advisors - Work with your academic advisor to develop your personal academic plan.

• Handshake - UNO's one-stop shop for local and national job and internship opportunities.

• Academic Calendar - A list of important dates, including deadlines to register for classes, University holidays, and when to apply for graduation.

• Financial Support and Scholarships - Making higher education accessible by minimizing financial barriers.

• UNO Libraries - UNO is home to world-class library services, including a Creative Production Lab, cafe and reservable study spaces.

Employee Support Services

• Center for Faculty Excellence - The CFE provides important professional development resources, events, and funding for both faculty and staff.

• Employee Benefits FAQ - A collection of information and answers to important questions about insurance, retirement plans, and the Employee & Dependent Scholarship Program.
  
  
• Firefly - The employee interface tool to access paycheck information, request time off, and annual benefits enrollment information.
  
  
• People Are Everything - A platform to allow employees to celebrate each other through a variety of e-cards, points that can be redeemed for gifts, and enjoy a streamlined nomination process for Employee of the Month and KUDOS applications.
  
  
• Re-Imagining U - UNO employees can now register for courses through Re-Imagining U, a collaborative employee training and development program between UNO and UNMC.