http://statenews.com If “excavations are precautionary measures to ensure historical remnants on campus are not destroyed,” according to the article Remnants of MSU’s 1st building found (SN 9/24), I sure hope the archeology department is on the job the day Morrill Hall gets demolished. en-us Gryphon 2.2.3b-tsn (woodward)/Foundry5 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:26:30 -0400 webmaster@statenews.com http://statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/45024 Actually Mr. Johns, I have to say that the students are the ones out of touch with the history of MSU. As a student that is very proud of MSU and is more-than-the-normal student knowledgeable about the history of MSU, I can say that when talking to other fellow students its remarkable the lack of knowledge they have about their institution. That’s why I don’t blame MSU from treating the excavation of College Hall as a surprise, maybe in an intent to actually grab the attention of the students. In comparing with other students at other institutions, I would say that its normal for students to not know much of the history of their alma mater, doesn’t matter how prestigious it is. I guess there is a percentage of students that take time to be informed about historical and current University actions but its not the majority. Now, to attend your point of Morrill Hall. I have to say that the administration is making the right choice. The University is in very difficult moments where they are cutting budgets everywhere. Fixing Morrill would mean cutting academic budgets to fix a structure. It wouldn’t be worth the sacrifice of cutting all money elsewhere to spend it in Morrill Hall. Also, I have to say that there are things the University simply can’t do, not even in the best of economic times. You wouldn’t imagine how many MSU activities are possible due to donations and external funding. So, I would say that, as with the music program that was cut last year, the only salvation for Morill Hall is someone that wants to donate the cash to save the building. Its not that the U administration is not knowledgeable of the history of MSU, after all, many in our administration have been here for many, many, years and some are alumni (as our Pres and Provost). In fact, I would say that Pres. Simon is one of the MSU Presidents in the history of MSU that more knowledge has about the history, tradition and values of the University. Finally, as beautiful as it is (even when it is very old and kind of dirty), it simply can’t be done unless someone out there is willing to save it by giving the cash. The University is moving forward, the budget is very tight and funding has to be invested in the future. Maybe in better times it could have been done. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:24:57 -0400 http://statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/45024 http://statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/45052 Morrill Hall was home to the ‘Women’s Course’, but not the first women – there were female students at MSU within the first decade of its existence. When I walk into it, I don’t see the history of the dorm rooms and women who went to school there, I just see offices. While I certainly wouldn’t mind a renovation, I don’t think it’s essential to the history of the university. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:26:30 -0400 http://statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/45052