"The real issue is what made perfect sense in 1896…doesn't make sense now," Youatt said.

By rearranging the programs, Youatt said the colleges can offer more opportunities by integrating similar topics and structures.

"When you look around in five years, I think these programs are going to be very healthy and very vibrant," Youatt said.

She said the change has not been hard on students in the college, as the location of their programs and professors generally remains the same. The faculty has had some obstacles to overcome, however, working with new colleagues within different colleges. Youatt said faculty members' anxiety and regret has been mixed with a sense of hope for what lies ahead.

"All things considered, people understand this is part of the evolution of their fields," Youatt said. "The College of Human Ecology served this institution very well."

In other business, trustees approved the planned construction to West Circle Drive, which was discussed at last month's meeting. The construction will include redeveloping the Abbot Entrance in north campus by removing some parking, improving the crosswalks and changing the section of West Circle Drive from the entrance to Beal Street into a one-lane road with a new bike lane. The process will eliminate 24 parking spaces from the western arm of the drive as well.

The board also approved the planning of several construction projects around campus this summer. These include:

· The conversion of the former Spartan Village Elementary School building into office space for University Housing. The building, originally constructed by the city of East Lansing in 1962, was closed to classes in 2003. The plan would allow University Housing officials to consolidate offices that are currently spread across campus into one location.
The cost is estimated at $3.5 million, and would be paid from the Housing and Food Services budget.

· Road construction and steam tunnel upgrades that will affect a large portion of north campus including East and West Circle drives, parts of Farm Lane and Auditorium Road. The construction will be to upgrade existing steam tunnel distribution lines as well as improve traffic and pedestrian safety in the area.
There will be two public forums to discuss the proposed changes, which will be announced later this year. The project is expected to cost about $10.5 million, which would be paid from just-in-time utilities expenses.

· The reconstruction of the Beal Entrance to campus from Michigan Avenue into a T-shaped intersection. The project also will include changes to Beal Street and the intersection of Kalamazoo Street and West Circle Drive to increase vehicle and pedestrian safety.
The project is excepted to cost about $2.8 million, and would be financed from just-in-time deferred maintenance budget of the General Fund.

· Renovation of labs within the Chemistry Building, and construction of a new Concrete Laboratory Addition, to study the structural limits of concrete, which would be attached to the Engineering Research buildings south of Jolly Road.
Together the projects are expected to cost more than $3 million.

· The replacement of the elevators in the Communications Arts and Sciences building, which would cost about $1 million and would be completed during this summer.