MSU has taken the first step into expanding on-campus housing. The university is possibly adding a seventh residence hall to the Brody Complex within three to five years. This would be the first new dorm in over 30 years.

The new dorm would only increase housing capacity by 300 students, even though MSU's enrollment increases slightly each year. The dorm might be used as an overflow residence hall when other halls are under renovation.

MSU, being a land-grant university, needs to expand so all students qualified to be here have a place to stay.

But with expansion beginning, it is not the most economical way to start.

The university should look to accommodate more than 300 students. A larger dorm would be more beneficial to the school in the long run.

The current proposed site for the new residence hall, between Emmons and Butterfield halls, would be crammed and built in an awkward location. The dorm would also hide the courtyard in the center of the complex and trample on green space.

While the Brody cafeteria is the largest on campus, space issues would arise with another 300 students in the complex. The question of more parking space would also propose environmental issues and replace the scenery with asphalt.

While MSU needs to renovate its residence halls, Brody might not be the best location.

The most suitable solution would be to build another dorm with a cafeteria that would house more than 300 students.

MSU should think more long term with increasing enrollment.

The question is where should MSU build this dorm.

The university needs to plan ahead and dedicate a space to a larger dorm that would accommodate more students and preserve the open atmosphere of the Brody Complex.