What happened to East Neighborhood? What happened to it being the butt of jokes of the residential buildings on campus? What happened to the notion that East Neighborhood is for the “outcasts” of campus?
While it may take time for these thoughts to completely vanish from the minds of students, I truly believe that East Neighborhood, like Brody Neighborhood, might just have created its own awesome identity.
For starters, the dining scene in East Neighborhood has experienced a huge boost in quality. The new Akers dining hall, which was completed earlier this school year, is absolutely amazing. The dining hall is a tremendous upgrade from the one in Akers last year and has generated interest from students all over campus.
What strikes me most about the dining hall is that the environment has a Brody cafeteria-type feel to it.
The hall has an entirely new look, and that unique look — I believe — will turn out to be an appealing asset to East Neighborhood. Not to mention Holmes Hall, which is technically in River Trail but sits right next to East Neighborhood, is still open for business and remains one of the top dining options on campus.
Another factor that gives East Neighborhood a special feel is the open space sitting across the street.
Right across from East Neighborhood’s backyard is a huge, open field that sits behind the Wharton Center parking structure and IM Sports-East.
While living in East Neighborhood last year as a freshman, some of my best memories of college so far have taken place on that field.
I vividly remember spending hours playing full-length football and ultimate frisbee games, and making good friends while doing it. Not to mention the outdoor basketball courts that sit at the back of the field, which simulate the outdoor courts Brody has in its neighborhood.
Speaking of athletic activities, IM Sports-East is another factor that gives East Neighborhood its unique feel. IM Sports-East may not be as extravagant as IM Sports-West, but it is still busy throughout the day. The basketball courts in the facility are known to always be full, as well as boasting tough competition.
The only disadvantage of IM Sports-East is that its workout room is a complete joke compared to the workout room at IM Sports-West.
IM Sports-West has better equipment, and that is what edges IM Sports-West out over IM Sports-East. If the gym equipment in IM Sports-East were upgraded and the workout room expanded, the facility would undoubtedly create a new benefit for living in East Neighborhood.
I know that East Neighborhood still might not be the most popular place to live on campus, but I truly believe the neighborhood has the potential to become one of the more popular neighborhoods that we have here at MSU.
It may take time, but if in five to 10 years down the road East Neighborhood is the new “spot” on campus, I would not be surprised at all.
