Bigger, Brighter Spaces for MSU Health

A January Board of Regents meeting gave new hope to the empty spaces that were once gyms in the Marga Hosaeus Fitness Center. The board unanimously approved the university’s proposal to design a new Student Wellness Center, replace the collapsed gyms and create new fitness laboratory space for the College of Education, Health and Human Development. The proposal allows for a much-needed improvement for MSU medical care.

Currently, students have to trek into the dark and narrow hallways of the Swingle Health Center to receive preventative care or treatment. This space has not been renovated since the 1970s, when enrollment at MSU was only 8,500. Other students must go further across campus to Culbertson Hall for mental health counseling. Should a new wellness center be built, students would have the convenience of going to the gym complex for both physical and mental health needs in a larger, more modern facility. The new facility would allow for more private care rooms, shorter wait times, improved cleanliness, and a larger counseling staff.

However, the $3.5 million budget for designing and planning may burden some students. While the $29 to $43 million cost of building the facility can likely be covered by donors like Norm Asbjornson Hall or state funding like the Romney Hall remodel, students will be forced to pay for the building plans that have just been approved. MSU vice president of finance and administration, Terry Leist, says the hefty $3.5 million is typical, as design and programming typically cost 8-12% of actual building expenditures. As students, we may see tuition hikes and extra fees to cover the cost. If all 16,766 enrolled students had to cover the $3.5 million, that would equate to an additional fee of $209 per student. Students may be able to vote on these increases in the future.

In 2017, students warned that “a lot of people drop out of school because of the ticket price,” which points to what may happen if we see a rise in costs as a result of the new proposal. While many students come to MSU for the affordable, high-quality education, a price increase may deter low-income students from attending MSU. However, we will see our reward in the form of improved medical facilities that benefit the whole student body.

Aware of the steep costs associated with the proposal, President Cruzado noted that MSU hopes to find a way to create “a facility we need at the most affordable price for students.” Students in the past have approved similar fee raises for campus recreation improvements and counseling. In May of 2017, students cautioned against raising tuition, but 62.3% supported raising fees to improve the climbing wall, create a new turf field, support student clubs and expand mental health services.

Based on this history, students should accept the increased costs to reap the benefits of better health services on campus. Cleaner and larger health services facilities are warmly welcomed on our ever-expanding campus, and the Board of Regents seems to agree. While you should prepare your wallet for rising tuition fees in the coming years, also be on the lookout for new, cutting-edge medical facilities next to the Fitness Center. There, you will be able to feel comfortable while seeking medical and mental health care all in the same building.