Grad student pushes for approval of on-campus climbing wall

I think it is dumb. But I might think that because I don’t climb. Well, if MSU gives you the money, get the wall.

It’s kinda odd that the lack of a climbing is a “major disatvantage” to the university… I would imagine that other things like, the lack of a good IM facility, descent pools, or technology that is past its prime would be bigger disatvantages…

I agree with Nick K. That money could be spent on something else at the IM buildings. There is natural climbing in Grand Ledge just a few minutes away from campus. I doubt the other universities in Michigan have natural formations that close. Someone could go to Dick’s in the Meridian Mall if they want to climb inside.

Some of the best climbing facilities in michigan are located extremely close to michigan campuses. For example, ‘Planet Rock’, arguably the best facility in michigan, is located IN Ann Arbor. The University of Michigan still found value in having their own campus facility. ‘Higher Ground’ and ‘Inside Moves’ are in Grand Rapids, though Grand Valley University still decided that a campus wall was important. There are other examples such as in kalamazoo with ‘Climb Kalamazoo’ and Western Michigan University. Having to drive 30 minutes to Grand Ledge, where experience is needed and safety is an issue, is limiting the number of spartans getting into the sport. It is also very inconvenient. Also, Dick’s doesn’t cut it. 3 dollars per climb at a measly shopping mall wall is not reasonable. Climbing is one of the most rewarding sports out there, it’s great exercise, mentally and physically challenging, and a great stress reliever after a hard day of classes. I see no reason why one of the largest universities in michigan should not have an on campus climbing facility. Relatively speaking, the price is rather cheap. With the tuition of nearly 4 students we can pay for the whole facility. I’m sure the university throws money around in other ways that many would find much more wasteful. This is something that will provide enjoyment, excitement, promote health, and it’s just plain fun. I don’t understand why anyone would be against this. Show support and Climb ON!

We spent how many millions of dollars on that donors pavilion outside of Old Horticulture? The needless construction that goes on all of the time? A climbing wall would directly benefit students here for generations to come. The cost of a wall is tiny. Frankly, it’s humiliating that U of M in Dearborn and Calvin College have climbing walls, and the largest university in the state has nothing.

And Grand Ledge, while great, cannot support hundreds of climbers for years to come. Erosion is a serious problem and this wall will help reduce that strain on the Ledges.

Grand Ledge isn’t accessible in the winter, whereas a climbing wall is. I did my first degree up at Michigan Tech, and we had some of the best natural climbing in the state (both rock AND ice climbing) within a half hours drive, but still loved to go up to the wall to hone our skills. Pulling on plastic and climbing outdoors is like night and day. Inside plastic can be a great social activity, and was a huge reason why I almost didn’t come to MSU in the first place. It’s abhorible that MSU took this long to get a wall built.

I doubt the other universities in Michigan have natural formations that close.

You have to be kidding me! Did you fail geography? The UP, particularly the western half, is littered with natural climbing formations. Both Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan are both within short driving distance of some of the best climbing you’re going to find in Michigan.

Everyone who is commenting on how “close” other climbing gyms and natural rock formations are seem to have lost all sense of scale. The UP is a several-hour drive from campus and requires having your own car and your own equipment for climbing. It is not feasible unless you are making a weekend trip out of it; hardly a good plan unless you are already experienced at climbing or happen to know experienced friends. Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo do all have climbing gyms, but they are all at least an hour’s drive from campus and cost more for a day pass and equipment rental than any university-subsidized wall would. Moreover, if you are inexperienced, you have to pay additional costs for classes before you can climb at a gym. As a result, you probably won’t be putting in the gas money and the commute time unless you’re already an experienced climber. Even for an experienced climber, it’s just not possible to make too many of these trips, particularly when you are taking classes, working, researching, etc. A climbing wall at MSU would make it easier for beginners to get into the sport, and it would also be frequented by experienced climbers. As such, there would be little problem in recouping the costs of building said climbing wall.

I would like to respond to the first three posts: student, Nick K., and scott because they bring up some valid points.

student: You are right… not everyone at this university climbs or is interested and I respect that. This is not intended to be a perfect proposal to meet the demands of all students. Then again, not everyone works out, but the university still justifies renevating workout facilities; not everyone listens to hip-hop/pop music but asmsu still justifies “free” concerts; not everyone reads the State News, but MSU justifies charging every student an State News tax. Rock climbing is a unique sport/activity that millions of people enjoy, but is not made available for MSU students to enjoy or even try. Perhaps if a wall was on campus, you would climb.

Nick K.: I think that a lot of people, myself included, would agree with you that good IM facilities, decent pools, and/or outdated technology are important issues. This is why we have two newly renevated IM facilities (IM East and IM West workout gym), 3 swimming pools (2 indoor and 1 outdoor), and accessible technology to all students. A rock wall offers something completely new to the university. Also, building a climbing wall is a great way to improve on the student activities offered by the IM Department. I recommend you give climbing a shot… I promise you won’t feel cheated out of a workout!

Scott: We are very lucky to have natural rock to climb on 30 minutes from campus and it can be a lot of fun. However, it is only fun between May and September, which is coincidentally the time when the majority of students leave MSU for the summer. Also, if you want to climb on a great Michigan summer day and you have your own car on campus you still have to have your own anchors, harnesses, belay device, rope, caribiners, shoes, webbing, and of course a belay partner. Okay, so with all your extra money lying around you go on a $500 shopping spree to Moosejaw or REI or wherever. Even with all of this you still need the knowledge of how to set anchors, tie the proper knots, how to belay, where to set the climbs, and the standard safey protocols for climbing. The point is, that with an on-campus facility you just need the will to try something new, the desire to have fun, and a couple hours of spare time… no matter the weather or season.

p.s. I do not intend for this to seem/sound rude because I think they are legitimate questions.

“The UP is a several-hour drive from campus and requires having your own car and your own equipment for climbing.”

The UP is several hours away? Well no shit Einstein. If you actually read what Eric and I posted I think you would have realized that we were responding to an earlier post proclaiming that the poster thought MSU is closer to natural climbing than any university in the state. That’s the only reason it was brought up. It was not my intent nor Eric’s, judging from his post, to put down the idea of a climbing wall. Personally I think its a wonderful idea and would be an excellent way to introduce people to the sport.

In my earlier post I was trying to demonstrate that even though “other” universities are close to natural or man-made climbing facilities, they still found value in having their own. This was to show that even though grand ledge is close to us, there still are many reasons to have a wall on the MSU campus, which the other posts here have demonstrated well. I feel like Emi didn’t understand what I was trying to say, but Emi did bring up some very important points.