Community

Constant improvements were being made to the campus’s physical aspects in the 60s. New dormitories were built to improve the housing situation. Additionally, a Lincoln gem was opened in 1963—the Sheldon Art Gallery. Built in memory of Mary Frances Sheldon, the museum continues to exist as the art center of campus and draws much of our community of today down to the University. 
Unfortunately, as the University continued to expand, taxes continued to rise for citizens. Apparently, “some failed to understand the role that the University could play in raising the quality of life within the state.” (Sawyer 216). To make matters with the citizens’ support worse, taxes further increased after the 1968 merger with the University in Omaha. “(...) It seems doubtful that many Nebraskans fully realized either the financial consequences or educational promise inherent in the merger” (Sawyer 230). Despite citizens being angered at the financial repercussions of having a University, “the increased interest of the public in higher education and the expanded role of the federal government in providing financial assistance for campus construction and research made [the most dynamic decade in history of the University] possible” (Saywer 230).