Audio:
Colleen McNamara
Audio:
George Perles
Items approved from the MSU Board of Trustees meeting
- The new baseball stadium will be called McLane Baseball Stadium in honor of MSU alumnus and Houston Astros CEO Drayton McLane, who donated $4 million for the project.
- The new archery park will be called the Becky and Bob Humphries Community Archery Park.
- Lot 89, which is located near Farm Lane and Mount Hope Road, will be expanded.
- The university’s plant sciences programs and facilities will expand to handle the increasing grant money and faculty.
Source: MSU Board of Trustees, University Relations
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Federal grant given to MSU plant ecologist
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E.L. traffic code channels funding to city
2010 census to tally same-sex marriages
Trustees approve demolition of 108-year-old Morrill Hall
With a name and tradition representing the land-grant history of MSU, 108-year-old Morrill Hall may soon be history itself.
The MSU Board of Trustees agreed Friday to begin planning a project to replace the building, citing safety hazards and costly repairs that make the facility unfit to hold faculty and staff. Morrill Hall currently houses the history, English and religious studies departments.
“It’s not a long-term facility,” said Fred Poston, MSU’s vice president for finance and operations. “We cannot continue in the facility we have currently.”
The $36 million plan to replace the hall will result in the destruction of the building, but it hasn’t been decided if another building will take its place. Faculty could be relocated to other buildings on campus or a replacement facility could be built. Four potential sites are being considered for the relocation: the current Morrill Hall location, near Bessey Hall, near Wells Hall and near the Power Plant on Shaw Lane.
Morrill Hall is named after Justin Morrill, a Vermont senator who helped pass the Morrill Act in Congress in 1862. The act appropriated land for agricultural colleges across the country.
While much of the MSU community agrees the building needs to be replaced, there is concern the building’s history will be lost in the transition to a new location.
“I think we’ve got to be very careful — we’ve got a lot of tradition,” MSU Trustee George Perles said of the building. “We’ve got to make sure we replace the new facility with all the sentimental and emotional things that are in it right now.”
Stephen Arch, chairperson of the English department, said while recent problems have made the building’s staff more agreeable to a new facility, everyone agrees the Morrill tradition needs to be maintained.
“Our hope is that there will be a Morrill Hall of some kind, a new one,” he said. “That is one of our concerns, given that we’re a land-grant university.”
Trustee Colleen McNamara said plans to replace Morrill Hall have been discussed for a number of years within the MSU community and that the decision to begin the replacement is bittersweet.
“As much as all of us feel particularly about Circle Drive and the buildings there and how important they are to be maintained, I think it’s really come to the point where we realize Morrill Hall has got to be taken down,” McNamara said.
Published on Sunday, September 14, 2008
Comments
Ari Adler
09/15/08 @ 6:25am
Everyone talks about how important Morrill Hall is to MSU’s history but no one is willing to do what they can to save it? It’s hard to believe that with MSU’s knowledge and resources that the building can’t be restored. I bet if it was a sports facility, folks couldn’t move fast enough to protect it. For those of you who don’t care about Morrill Hall, think about the other cool old buildings you do care about at MSU — because I’m betting their days are numbered now, too.
Peggy Colombo
09/15/08 @ 7:09am
My major was located at Morrill Hall and I had several classes there. One of my favorite pieces of memorabilia from MSU is a photograph of Morrill Hall that hangs in my home. To see this building be taken down is heartrending. I understand the safety concerns, but wonder if there are other steps that could be taken, or if another building, similar in outward appearance and with some of the interior pieces that set it apart could be built. One of the things consistently lost in our desire to upgrade is the beautiful wooden stair rails, paneling, and detail in the older buildings. Please do what you can to preserve the beauty of the building and its history, which are tied together in many of our memories.
Juan
09/15/08 @ 7:20am
Why not put some of the money derived from Football (useless, childish) into preserving and renovating a historic building on a historic campus (useful, mature). Or redirect some of the money spent on recruiting underqualified minorities.
History Grad
09/15/08 @ 7:55am
I loved Morrill hall, but it really did have to go. I hope that they rebuild in the same spot, with the same architectural fell, and name the new structure Morrill hall. But that building really was an accident waiting to happen. I’m sure anybody who has taken the stairs to the third floor will agree with me, I always felt like I was taking my life into my hands walking up those things. Oh and Juan, you know what is really childish? Acting like you are somehow better than disadvantaged minorities who were forced through economic circumstances to attend sub-par high schools. I know I’m lucky to have had great economic circumstance growing up, and was able to attend a good school that prepared me for college. It’s about time you grew up and took a look at how the world really works. “Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” stories are just that, stories.
Ken
09/15/08 @ 7:59am
“…citing safety hazards and costly repairs that make the facility unfit to hold faculty and staff.”
I find it very hard to believe that renovation/repair would cost more than the $36 million dollar replacement cost. That’s funny math. Any dope with a checkbook can build a new building, but a century of history is irreplaceable. Something else is going on here and it’s fishy.
No wonder I stopped donating to MSU, the money gets wasted while tuition goes up and scholarships do down!
MSUAlum2001
09/15/08 @ 8:52am
“I find it very hard to believe that renovation/repair would cost more than the $36 million dollar (sic) replacement cost. That’s funny math.”
Ken it’s basically the same reason people get newer cars, or other things, eventually the cost to keep fixing is high enough to really warrant replacement. If you owned a 25 year old car, are you going to spend $1000 for a new engine or just get a newer car? I agree, they might be able to renovate it cheaper than tearing it down and rebuilding. But from what it sounds like there are some major structural deficiencies (i.e. exterior walls or the floor/ceiling beams, or foundation) which would require major work and time to fix. So yes it’s sad that an old building is getting torn down but in this case it’s the best decision.
BintheD
09/15/08 @ 9:43am
“I find it very hard to believe that renovation/repair would cost more than the $36 million dollar replacement cost. That’s funny math.”
What you fail to understand is the fact that these buildings are more expensive to renovate than to demolish and rebuild because there are laws that force historical buildings, such as Morrill, to be renovated using special techniques and materials in order to preserve the historical nature of the building. It is not like they can go in and use all modern materials and techniques, but there are some real cost considerations here.
JAW
09/15/08 @ 10:04am
Americans travel to Europe to see hundreds of centuries old architectural buildings because they are HISTORICAL. While I am not an MSU Alum, I have always loved MSU’s campus for the beauty of the old buildings and the historical role they played in shaping higher education in Michigan. All over the US, we tear down buildings to build ugly new skyscrapers and never stop to think about preserving the past. There will be no past left if all we do is tear things down. How many times have you seen old photos and thought to yourself “gosh, what were they thinking, that building was gorgeous”. Morrill Hall might not be in the best shape, but I bet it could at least be preserved and used as a museum or some sort of facility that wouldn’t have as much everyday use as an instructional hall. Tearing it down and losing a huge part of MSU’s history would be ludicrous.
Chris
09/15/08 @ 10:21am
“Why not put some of the money derived from Football (useless, childish) into preserving and renovating a historic building on a historic campus (useful, mature). Or redirect some of the money spent on recruiting underqualified minorities.”
Why does everyone think football should support the Entire University? Seems to me that Juan is not qualified to be in any school because he can’t figure the economics out on that idea.
Anyway, it’s sad they are going to tear down Morrill Hall. I wish they’d just renovate it. But then again, The parking ramp next to it puts it in shame because it looks much nicer(good job dpps)….
Lee Neugent
09/15/08 @ 11:29am
Now the powers at MSU have gone too far@
It was not enough to tear down 415 Willow Lane where my wife and I lived during the years that I attended MSC/MSU (I entered in 1954 and left in 1956) but now they are planning to tear down Morrill Hall where I attended my economics classes and enjoyed sharing an office with other graduate assistants
Please leave us something to remember about my years in East Lansing.
Emily
09/15/08 @ 11:47am
This is such sad news. When I visit East Lansing, Morrill Hall is one of my favorite places to go, and I always get a rush of memory and calm upon passing. I love this building. I feel helpless in this situation, as I understand the need to address safety and structural issues … but every professor that every inspired me was from that building, and thus tied directly to my impression of it. I know these same professors don’t die when a building does, but physical history always seems to be the first to go when progress and improvement are called upon. I wish the two could sleep in the same space.
History01
09/15/08 @ 12:23pm
I’ve heard a rumor about this going through campus for a few years now. Seeing that it is more than a rumor is really painful. My favorite professor from my days on campus passed away a couple years ago and now i won’t be able to walk by the building and remember him.
I wish there was a way of preserving this building that has housed students (wasn’t it one of the first women’s dorms on campus) and faculty for more than a century.
Chris
09/15/08 @ 1:41pm
I’m a current MSU student and a lifelong Spartan fan. I’ve studied architecture at other univeristies and have worked in architecture firms (including more than one project on historical preservation). I can say that Morrill Hall could be saved, made habitable, efficent, and brought up to date with the $36 million pricetag that MSU is willing to spend to replace it. It’s sad that so much of America’s history (and MSU’s history) gets torn down just because we don’t want to deal with the fuss of doing a little extra work to preserve it. Kansas State University (the nations 2nd land-grant college) builds all their buildings with a part and tie to the beginning…..it’s sad that MSU doesn’t have the same respect for history, tradition, and roots!
BldgHugger
09/15/08 @ 2:44pm
As the wrecking ball tears down Morrill Hall, the Board of Trustees can pull out their dusty lp’s of the famous Joni Mitchell song “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you got ‘till it’s gone, they pave paradise to put up a parking lot.” After Morrill Hall is demolished, will the footprint simply be an ugly, concrete parking lot? Is a parking lot prettier than a historic building. There doesn’t appear to be a planned future for the site…it’s simply a tear down with no regard for it’s history or the landscape which it complements.
Tearing down Morrill Hall is wasting energy and resources; thus, to build something new with today’s high cost of construction materials (even shoddy at that)and low cost labor. I thought MSU was trying to go “green”? Doesn’t the “Board” know that the greenest building is the one already built?!! Morrill Hall has all of its materials in place, it just needs appropriate experts to renovate/restore the building, so it can effectively and efficiently meet the needs of its faculty, staff, and students. Morrell Hall is a fine example of architecture that was built by skilled craftspersons and artisans—that can’t be matched with today’s new buildings. Not to mention, the story that Morrill Hall tells.
It’s uncanny the historical rivalry between The UofM and MSU. On a side note, it’s no wonder The University of Michigan gets an ungodly amount of support and endowment dollars; they (the university itself and its Board of Trustees) preserve their historical buildings and embrace the history that each building tells and its importance with telling the story of the university.
The terminal future of Morrill Hall to the wrecking ball is a shame. Why won’t the “Board” allow Morrill Hall to keep telling its story? I encourage those of you who are proud of MSU’s history and want to allow the architectural treasures around campus to keep telling their stories to go to the “Board” and urge them to preserve this historic building for our students, faculty, and community members to enjoy for generations to come!!!
student
09/15/08 @ 4:12pm
People!! Morrill Hall has history because, according to this article, it is 108 years old. But, it is not true that it was built because of the Morrill Act. On the other hand, it has the name of the person that pushed for that Act to became reality. Also, another misconception that people has is that MSU is the product of the Morrill Act. Specifically, MSU was created on 1855, 38 years after UofM, to help Michigan farmers an was created with an law passed by the Michigan Constitution. Then, the Morrill Act was passed in Congress to created similar colleges around the country with the structure of Michigan State University. Morrill Act serve as the dorm for women and now is home to a variety of academic departments. Similarly, as many of you, I hate to see Morrill Hall go because of its historical and architectural value, but I have to say that it must go. After all, it is in seriously bad conditions. And, Juan, I have to tell you that you are incorrect because the University does not support the athletic department. The AD is an independent part of this university. Also, many of the revenues generated by the athletic department go to the University not to the department itself. But that is another story.
In my opinion, they should demolish it and build another one with the same looks of west-east circle. Also, they could use it as an opportunity to blend it with the Broad Museum that is coming up. What I would seriously hate is if they build a new building with no architectural value, like Wells Hall. We need to start building attractive and modern building around campus. For example, we should take the opportunity to develop our campus and make a blend of what the future should be, remembering the past but looking toward the future. We are already seeing some developments on this part as the Life Sciences Building in the southern part of campus is getting improved, in the modern-looking Broad Museum, the residence halls in west circle, and in more places around campus.
Finally, I think that this is an opportunity for the city of East Lansing to get on board and start improving the outlook of the city and downtown, specifically. Maybe the East Village development (where Cedar Village stands) and the City Center II are just perfect for the various changes in our campus.
Alum 02
09/15/08 @ 8:42pm
Morrill Hall has memories for all students. However, this building is not the same building that it was when it was constructed. As an interior design major, I spent a few hours in archives studying the building for a historical preservation project.
This building was the first dorm building on campus that was built for the exclusive use for women. It had class rooms, a gym and living quarters. And the original name of this building is the Womens Building. It is technically not built to plan. There is missing a wing on the western side of the building. It was eliminated because of budget constraints. With the construction of Mayo Hall in the late thirties, it fell out of use, was gutted and is the building we know now.
Design majors will tell you that it is completely inaccessible. We love the historical nature of the building, but it is disappointing that departments are housed in a building that cannot be accessed by all students who need to see a professor.
I am not necessarily in favor of destroying this landmark. The departments currently housed in the building do need to be moved somewhere else. But ask yourselves, what is Michigan State to do with an empty building? It could be turned into a museum, I am not so sure it would be a good place for archives, but it is an idea.
I can't come up with a snarky name
09/15/08 @ 10:01pm
I’ll admit…one of the first things that drew me to MSU in high school was the beauty of the campus. And I’m saddened by this decision, but also understand that it is a necessity.
To those of you who want to keep it as a museum: Is that what we’re supposed to do with every building that is no longer academically functional? Eventually, we’ll run out of space for academic facilities. Plus, we already have two museums and another on the way. I’m all for cultural enrichment, but a university is useless if there are no places for students to learn.
To those criticizing the environmental aspect: When Morrill Hall was built, there weren’t modern heaters or insulation. The building is not made to maintain a specific tempurature and therefore is inefficient in the winter months. Yes, there have been improvements, but only so much can be done without halting business completely and disrupting service to students.
True…a complete renovation would be cheaper, but eventually, we will pass that $36 million mark and have to do it anyway. How much is too much? To those of you who think that the renovations are no big deal, maybe offering to pay for them would help.
kage
09/15/08 @ 10:52pm
Didn’t McPherson keep it around because it used to be his mother’s dorm when she went here??
Caitlyn History 2007
09/16/08 @ 8:24am
As a recent History grad, its hard to let go the fond memories I have attached to Morrill and the History Department. Aside from sentimentals, what about the strong attachment to MSU’s Women’s History? Morrill was home to Michigan State’s first women and that alone should be something worth protecting. I’d put my money down for that project way before I donate to the football team.
Kristin
09/16/08 @ 9:38am
Sure, it could be turned into a museum. With the same problems of safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility that it has right now. In order to turn it into something else, you’d have to fix all those problems.
And hey, maybe if you feel so strongly that the building should be saved, you should do something other than complaining here. Write a letter to the board. Start a petition (a real one, not an online one…). Stand outside and picket. If you really believe in your cause, DO something.
jon
09/16/08 @ 11:36am
Le’t be honest, Morrill is a dump and it’s ugly to boot. Its been slowly crumbling for decades> Time to put it out of its misery. If we wait long enough there will inevitably be an accidental fire in the building and it will go up like a matchbook. Don’t be deceived by the brick exterior. It’s all wood construction, a real deathtrap. Yes, it’s old all right but doesn’t equal architectural distinction, of which it has none. Just an old, plain brick box. Tear it down.
Joe
09/16/08 @ 12:57pm
The building is over 100 years old. With all the changes that have occured in the past 100 years, we should be grateful it lasted that long. Hopefully, they can build a beautiful new building that will last 100 years. The memories of my time at the university are not wrapped into one building. The traditions of MSU are not attached to one building. What if they kept the building around and the roof collapsed? Everyone would be commenting “I saw that coming, they should have torn it down years ago.” Keep the memories, preserve tradition, but let the building go.
Darn Kids Thease Days
09/16/08 @ 1:11pm
Have you seen that thing? the whole building looks cruddy, not like some of the cool arcetecture such as snyder phillips hall and stuff like that, i saw tear it down and put a nicer building in its place
also football is not a waste of money or childish, obviously those who say it is havent played. Also it bring in more students and funds then most other things so dont rag on it.
RB
09/16/08 @ 1:43pm
“…there are laws that force historical buildings, such as Morrill, to be renovated using special techniques and materials in order to preserve the historical nature of the building. “
So laws dictate how a building is to be rennovated but it can be demolished with a snap of the finger?
Alex
09/16/08 @ 2:05pm
This is sad.
Brad
09/16/08 @ 10:23pm
I agree it is sad to see a piece of msu’s history go, but it is also true that Morrill is this architectural masterpiece, it is a brick box.
Fixing it would be cheaper then re-building this year. But a new building that needs less repairs will be cheaper in the long run. Same thing in regards to “being green.” a new building would be better for the environment over time.
Also, I hope you do donate to cause like this instead of the football team. Because the football team doesn’t need you. The Football makes money for the school. Why is that so hard to understand. At $30 per ticket and 70,000 people per game, the football team makes over 12 million a year just in tickets sells. Not to mention merchandise. Without the football the university would have less money, nothing childish about that.
Chelsea
09/16/08 @ 10:27pm
I would like to know if there is anything we can do to help Morrill Hall stay here on campus? For the amount of money that students spend on tuition each year, some of that should go into keeping these historic buildings around. I want to “go spartan green” but the university is setting a terrible example.
Sharon Granger
09/17/08 @ 9:25am
My Mom also lived in Morrill Hall when it was a women’s dorm and as a forever Lansing resident and grad of MSU, I’ve walked by the building for years which never fails to bring my Mom to mind. Putting sentiment aside, I hear both sides of the discussion presented in the preceding comments, however I get a twist in my heart when I think of the wrecking ball slamming into Morrill Hall. Equally sad is the seeming notion that this train is on the track with no opportunity for much real consideration of other approaches.
Jay
09/17/08 @ 12:20pm
I love the architecture of MSU as much as the next person, but some things a not made to last. People have to understand that the amount of work needed to save the building would be astronomical. The red sandstone that makes up the foundation and external structure, however beautiful, has reached an age where it is no longer stable. The longer this building is in use, the higher the chance of a collapse resulting in injury. It is in the best interest of the university to charish the memory of the building, but also to advance toward the future. I’m confident that its replacement will have the beauty worthy of MSU’s campus.