The University of Nebraska is thinking about returning to its past practice of providing a house for NU's president to use.

The Board of Regents will discuss allowing the NU Foundation to buy a house for the president's use at its meeting Friday.

According to the agenda for the Board of Regents, the house would be paid for by non-state funds.

The university already provides an annual housing allowance of $24,000 to J.B. Milliken. The chancellors at each campus receive similar amounts.

But the university used to provide a house to its president. That home burned down in 1996.

According to the agenda, after consideration of current and future university needs as well as review of the practices of comparable universities, the executive committee of the Board recommends the university to return to the practice of providing an Official Residence for the president.

According to the agenda, Michigan, Ohio State, Pennsylvania, Michigan State, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin all provide houses for University Chancellors.

Indiana provides $48,000 and then the housing allowance ends after University provides a suitable residence or remodels Bryan House.

Illinois did not provide information and Northwestern did not have a contract available.

Presidents for University of Illinois, Texas, Missouri , Oregon and Wisconsin are all provided houses.