Fortunately for Teahan, that wish is closer to becoming the university’s command. A planning committee has decided to demolish Morrill Hall, which houses the history, English and religious studies departments. An addition will be made to Wells Hall to accommodate them when Morrill Hall is gone.

The decision comes about seven months after a $36 million replacement plan for the hall was approved by the MSU Board of Trustees. And although the planning committee — comprised of academic program representatives, university engineers and administrators — was charged with coming up with an alternative to Morrill Hall, the board must give its final approval.

The group examined four potential sites and chose making an addition to Wells Hall as the best option.

“Our next step will be to complete program planning, and I’m thinking it’s going to be a couple more months in the process,” said Barbara Kranz, assistant director of MSU Facilities Planning and Space Management, at a meeting held Friday to discuss the progress of campus construction projects. “The consultants and the group will begin to look at some concepts of how the building may be constructed, what it might look like (and) how big it’ll be. As a part of that, it’s a key component to look at the costs associated.”

Those costs, she said, include potentially relocating the departments in Morrill Hall into rented space, which might be a disruption factor.

The group worked with a consulting firm to examine potential sites, create a master plan and help make the best possible decisions in terms of cost, land efficiency and pedestrian and vehicle traffic, among other things.

“In terms of things we considered that we felt were high priority, we evaluated the sites, and what we did was come up with a set of criteria, also looking at our master plans, and then ranked those criteria,” Kranz said.
Plans to demolish the historic building have raised the ire of some who wish to preserve it. Teahan, on the other hand, said she is in favor of the demolition.

“I applaud the administration’s decision to demolish Morrill Hall,” she said. “It’s a charming building, but it’s clear the building can’t be salvaged.”

MSU Trustee Dianne Byrum said the building’s demolition is a starting point for interdepartmental reconfiguration.

“The building is in such disrepair that it’s not feasible that it be fixed and saved,” she said. “In terms of strengthening the programs which are housed there, it is in the best interest that it be taken down and relocated.”

Byrum, who was not a trustee during the initial planning process but has been kept abreast of developments during briefings at board meetings this year, said the demolition is crucial for the preservation of MSU’s educational offerings.

“It is important that our students get a quality and valuable education during their time here,” she said.

“The building being demolished and relocated will help achieve those goals.”