Lance Sharp, associate director of the Office of Spartan Experiences, mentioned that the STEM Building is the largest space available and does not have high restriction levels. However, Sharp explained that because student group activity has grown in recent years and the event has been more widely promoted, registration has become increasingly competitive.

The most pressing issue with STEM Building capacity is ensuring that there is enough space for people to move around comfortably, even with chairs and tables set up for each respective group. 

“We've really tried to figure out how we could make the flow better, while also trying to increase the number of students we have there, but at the end of the day we can't go outside because if you look outside, there's so much snow,” Sharpe said.   

There has been some discussion of relocating the event, but other buildings do not fulfill the requirements of having multiple spaces for groups to congregate as well as having two doors for smooth entry and exit. 

“I think the biggest thing is just like it's a popular event and we bring in several thousand students into the STEM building. We're constantly trying to see how we can do more but make it still be something our students want to go to.” Sharpe said. 

During Springticipation, some groups spoke with each other about the heat in the building and the overstimulation some students were experiencing, while other groups were happy with the turnout. 

“It seems a little crowded, but I think it's pretty fine, it's just that there's a lot of people around,” Julia Fairborn, Vice President of the Microbiology Immunology Genetics Club said. “There's really good turnout. We've had quite a few people come up and talk. I feel like it's better to have more people than less people.”

Members of the Chem Club expressed similar opinions on the turnout. ACS Liaison Aaron Bealor said the Springticipation turnout every year is “awesome.” 

“One thing that we always got to remember is that there are 50,000 of us on this campus, and so whenever we host any event, the capacity of space is always going to be an issue,” Tammye Coles, director of the Office of Spartan Experiences, explained. 

Of the buildings that have hosted Springticipation in the past, Coles described the STEM Building as one of the more “unique” places on campus. Despite ongoing concerns about overcrowding, she noted that her colleagues strive to maximize available campus spaces for student events. Additionally, venues in East Lansing, including local churches, have provided space for student gatherings to help address capacity challenges at MSU.

“But that's a good thing because when we have events and the capacity is high, that just means that everybody is engaging and enjoying the event and they're getting something fruitful out of the event,” Coles said.