The Board of Trustees recently approved the multimillion dollar measure to expand the Plant and Soil Sciences Building. Construction on the facility is scheduled to begin in mid-May and wrap up by March 2012. The plans will include the demolition of the current auditorium and the construction of a four-floor complex complete with a multipurpose room, new auditorium and two floors of lab space in its place.

This decision follows the $9 million cut in other academic programs at a time when the economy shows few signs of a quick recovery. Although some may argue that plant biology and other more science-based programs are important to MSU — a university founded as Michigan Agricultural College — one must remember that the past is not the present. Today, MSU is as its name states — a university. Incoming students should expect strong programs in all academic areas — not just those limited to the agricultural premise upon which the university was founded.

Those in support of the project argue that the construction of the new facility may bring in new and renowned faculty members and greater opportunities for grant money, but many of these statements seemed based on prospects for the future that may or may not pan out as planned.

Although university officials are confident, it’s far from a safe bet that this project will indeed pay for itself, and many details seem to have been unconsidered. The proposed budget does not provide any kind of funding to equip the fourth floor of the building, which will be left completely empty. It’s the equivalent of building a million dollar home without furnishings.

Unfortunately for the programs that have been cut in the past year, these decisions are heavily influenced by the potential amount of money the university could gain. Programs that bring larger amounts of capital, attention and prestige to the university will continue to see investments in their area by the university and smaller programs will have to work double-overtime to earn their keep.

David DeWitt, associate dean of budget, planning and research for the College of Natural Science, said MSU is “not just cutting back things, (but rather) trying to reorganize the university and invest in things we’re strong in.” While he probably didn’t mean it in that way, some could interpret that quote as saying that MSU is not strong in, say, deaf education or American studies.

That makes this expansion much more than just an insult to students who have lost their program — it’s a slap in the face.