I read with embarrassment the MSU Board of Trustees’ attempts to reason a two-day business retreat to Mackinac Island’s prestigious Grand Hotel in Trustees go to Mackinac to discuss future of university (SN 7/30). Recharging in five-star luxurious comfort at taxpayer expense — especially in a time of economic recession — doesn’t demonstrate any urgency in tackling the problems they themselves outlined. It also isn’t in keeping with the apparent mission of the trip to “find a way to keep tuition down, so these kids can go to school” during a budget crisis.

Had the MSU Board of Trustees needed a work “retreat” to discuss changes to the university’s crumbling and outdated residence halls, maybe a better alternative to staying at the Grand Hotel this week would have been to “retreat” into one of the dorms themselves. Or even better, how about a free weekend in Spartan Village? It’s hard to imagine the trustees dwelling on the insulting conditions of MSU’s slum-like housing options while they rush to make their tee time after brunch on the veranda.