MSU’s Neighborhoods initiative opened up new offices in two different campus locations this year, a move officials said is designed to bring more basic services closer to students.
After a successful pilot run last year in Hubbard Hall, MSU officials expanded the student services program to Brody Complex Neighborhood and Holden Hall, said Vennie Gore, MSU’s assistant vice president for Residential and Hospitality Services.
“We learned a lot from the Hubbard (Hall) pilot,” Gore said.
The initiative combines a mix of student services — including math and writing tutoring centers — with a health clinic and other academic and cultural services.
The moves already have drawn favorable reviews, said Kelley Bishop, MSU’s assistant vice president for Strategic Initiatives.
“I can tell you, during move-in day, parents were thrilled to find out stuff that was already going to be there in the residence halls,” he said.
Student interest in the program’s math and writing tutoring programs was high last year, and Gore said more than 500 students visited the health clinic in Hubbard Hall during the 2010-11 academic year.
English and Spanish sophomore Andrea Mani said placing programs directly in residence halls would help students.
“I think it will be more accessible to the students — that’s always a plus,” she said.
Mani acknowledged going to a health clinic in a residence hall might be more difficult because it’s less private than visiting one at another location on campus, however.
“I feel like even at Olin (Health Center), I guess you’re kind of intimidated,” she said.
Officials plan to expand the program to as many as six campus neighborhoods, Bishop said.
The next step involves expansion into West Circle Neighborhood in 2013, Gore said.
Bishop said informing students about programs and services in specific buildings continues to build. In the future, resident mentors might act as liaisons between students and the health clinics or other programs, he said.
“That will help us perfect the expansion,” he said. “It’s an interesting challenge, because what you’re really trying to do is wire the campus together.”
Those moves could require infrastructure changes in some buildings. Gore said new electrical, plumbing, mechanical and life safety systems were implemented as part of renovating Brody Complex Neighborhood to bring services closer to students.
It is unclear what changes might be made to accommodate new offices in West Circle or other residence halls, he said.
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