Southeast Community College (SCC) marked a major step toward a more traditional college experience for its Lincoln students on Tuesday, breaking ground on Arbor Hall, the campus’s second residence hall.
Project details and timeline
Arbor Hall will sit on the north side of the Lincoln campus, directly across from the Welding Technology Center. The new building spans roughly 175,000 square feet and will provide 230 beds, ranging from double rooms to quad suites. Each floor will feature shared kitchens, free laundry facilities, and a grab‑and‑go store. A multipurpose room and a dining hall with seating for 300 people will also be included, offering rotating cuisine stations for students.
The college expects construction to be finished by fall 2028, at which point the residence hall will be ready for students seeking on‑campus living.
Why SCC is expanding housing
Scott Maas, SCC’s associate vice president of campus operations, explained that the expansion is about more than just a roof over students’ heads. “By having this residential experience, we’re able to infuse places for them to build communities. Through study spaces, through common areas, through the dining hall, it’s going to build more opportunities for them to build that sense of belonging to SCC,” Maas said.
He added that the college is deliberately moving away from the traditional commuter‑college model. “It’s exciting to be on this kind of cutting edge as we continue to expand the Lincoln campus to be more of a destination campus, not just a commuter campus, but it’s someplace for you to go when we’re building this residential campus,” Maas noted.
Benefits for students and the community
College officials say that on‑campus living can help students become more involved in campus activities, stay connected to academic resources, and develop a stronger sense of community. The new hall is expected to attract students from a broader geographic area, potentially boosting local businesses and reinforcing Lincoln’s reputation as an educational hub.
Arbor Hall’s design emphasizes flexibility and community interaction. Group study rooms, common lounges, and a dining hall that can host 300 diners at once are intended to foster both academic collaboration and social engagement. The inclusion of a grab‑and‑go store and rotating food stations aims to meet diverse dietary preferences while keeping meal options convenient for busy students.
Looking ahead
With the groundbreaking ceremony complete, SCC will move forward with the construction phases, coordinating with local contractors and suppliers. The college anticipates that the new residence hall will not only enhance student life but also serve as a catalyst for further development on the Lincoln campus, reinforcing its role as a destination for higher education in the region.
Original reporting: KLKN-TV – News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, Nebraska — read the source article.
