Its ivy-covered history and proximity to Grand River Avenue are reasons why Nick Duca said he likes living in West Circle Complex - but he hasn’t forgotten his Landon Hall residence is about 70 years old.

The future of the West Circle dorms was discussed by the MSU Board of Trustees on Friday as members mapped out how campus may look in 20 years.

“I like the history and it feels more homely with the smaller rooms and cafeteria,” said Duca, a hospitality business sophomore. “(But) the heat is bad, it either pumps out a lot of heat or there is nothing at all.”

Duca said he and other Landon residents also face cold showers, drafty windows and rusty pipes in the aging buildings.

To deal with mounting maintenance problems, demolition and reconstruction or extensive renovations of West Circle residence halls and similar buildings were two proposals presented by Chuck Gagliano, assistant vice president of Housing and Food Services.

Gagliano said maintenance and other expenditures cost MSU about $600 more per student to live in West Circle than in other complexes on campus. He said that cost could increase to $2,000 in the next 10 years.

“We had to bring up West Circle separately because it has high visibility and tradition to the university and potentially has a high maintenance cost,” he said.

Gagliano said the discussion was helpful in determining what direction the board would like to pursue with campus housing.

While Gagliano emphasized no plan has been put into place yet, demolition of the West Circle buildings was met with resistance and concern by board members.

“To change any of those buildings would be gut-wrenching to me,” said Trustee Dee Cook.

Cook said she felt a renovation process, similar to one completed at Mason and Abbot halls, would be preferred.

“Anything that makes our residence halls more user-friendly should be considered - except tearing them down,” she said.

Board members indicated they would like to tour the West Circle residence halls before making any recommendations.

Yakeley Hall resident Elena Acosta said a more personal and cozy community should be preserved in West Circle.

“I think these are the prettiest buildings on campus,” the psychology freshman said. “If you take that down, you are taking down the foundation of the college and the residence halls.”

The board also reviewed possibilities for creating more space for student activities in the central area of campus near the International Center as part of the 2020 Vision master plan. The board is expected to vote on whether to approve the plan at its meeting next month.

Suggested possibilities for an activities center included a free-standing building or an addition to the International Center.

“There is a geographic shift on campus in terms of students activities,” said Bill Latta, director for Facilities, Planning and Space Management. “It would make sense to put Student Services more close to the center of campus, things like a financial