Faculty Commons opens in library

A new Faculty Commons area now is available for use at the Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library.

The recently completed renovation in Wittson Hall presented the opportunity to create a centralized service area for faculty members. UNMC faculty can exchange ideas, ask questions, share resources, become inspired and seek guidance, all in a safe, welcoming environment located on the sixth floor of the building.

See images of the new Faculty Commons

“Six years ago, library staff and faculty started discussing the types of spaces we wanted in a renovated library,” said Emily McElroy, dean of the McGoogan Library. “A faculty commons area was at the top of my list. A survey of faculty proved that faculty wanted a space offering centralized faculty services. The suite of services for faculty offers many opportunities for networking, consulting and finding a quiet space to work after coming from clinical service at another location.”

The Faculty Commons is a dedicated space serving all UNMC faculty, including clinical physicians at Nebraska Medicine, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, emeritus faculty and visiting faculty from other institutions who have joint appointments at UNMC.

The space also is the new home for areas within Faculty Affairs, including the Office of Faculty Development and the Interprofessional Academy of Educators, and IT Academic Technologies.

“The Faculty Commons will provide easy access to faculty resources that previously were scattered across the UNMC campus. All faculty will benefit from the services there,” said Gary C. Yee, PharmD, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and the head of faculty affairs.

Features of the new area include:

• Consultation services: Representatives from Faculty Affairs and IT Academic Technologies provide guidance on teaching skills and strategies, educational research and scholarship, technology resources and more.
• Practice classroom: A classroom on the same floor allows faculty to work with consultants on testing or practicing new classroom technology and techniques.
• “Living room” area: A rotating teaching library, kitchenette space and faculty lounge promote networking opportunities, small group discussions, safe conversations and overall well-being. It also services as a place for focused scholarship work.
• Conference room: An adjacent conference room can be utilized for discussions, strategizing and collaborations.
• Dedicated mini offices: Faculty can reserve hoteling suites through the campus online reservation system.

Faculty will be able to access the Faculty Commons area using their ID badge. In order to promote a safe environment, the area will follow campus COVID-19 safety guidelines. The practice classroom, living room, conference room and mini offices are open 24/7. Currently, consultations are available by appointment only.

Email for more information on the area and how faculty can take advantage of the new resources.