STUDENT AFFAIRS ANNUAL REPORT (2025-2026) 19 Quick Takes: GOODBYE ROOMPACT, HELLO STARREZ Summer 2026 - Students returning to the residence halls this fall will be greeted by a new, modern, high-touch housing platform designed to enhance every aspect of the residential experience, from room assignments to maintenance requests. Thanks to the leadership of Marty Sabolo and Laine Converse, Key Result 13 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2025-30) will be achieved in July 2026 as Residence Life retires the Roompact system and launches StarRez. Widely recognized as the leading housing and residence life management platform in higher education, StarRez will provide students with a more seamless, flexible, and userfriendly experience. The new system will streamline occupancy management, automate everyday business processes, improve communication with residents, and support more efficient operations across the department. Through a collaborative partnership with South Dakota State University, Northern was able to implement StarRez at a significant cost savings by sharing a software platform while maintaining a distinctly Northern-branded look and feel. Students will benefit from a modern platform tailored to their needs without ever noticing the behind-the-scenes arrangement. Northern's residence halls are already among the highest-rated in South Dakota. With the transition to StarRez, students will now enjoy a housing technology platform that matches the quality of their residential experience, further supporting student success and satisfaction. JUST BAKED SMART BISTRO ARRIVES IN GREAT PLAINS EAST February 2026 - Northern is serving up something new—and hot! Students, staff, and faculty can now enjoy fresh, ready‑to‑eat meals any time of day with the arrival of the Just Baked Smart Bistro kiosk, located in the lobby of Great Plains East Residence Hall. This innovative food kiosk uses robotics and AI technology to prepare hot items within minutes, offering a convenient dining option for busy Wolves on the go. Whether you're heading to class, finishing a late-night study session, or simply craving something warm and satisfying, Just Baked has you covered. What’s on the menu? A variety of freshly baked, grab‑and‑go favorites like sausage breakfast burritos, chicken fajita burritos, cheddar cheese filled pretzels, Hours: Residents: 24/7 access using their Pack Pass Mobile ID. Non-residents: Open to all students, staff, and faculty Monday–Friday: 7:00 AM–10:00 PM and Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
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