Brittany D’Alesandro
Contributor
It is time that the university and its officials started making improvements to the campus. With a library that hasn’t had any renovations since 1986, it is clear to students and visitors we need a revamp.
Students should be able to use the library as place to study independently or in a group and have all the accommodations to do so at their fingertips. After all, we pay for it with our student fees.
The library needs a new look and serious improvement in technology. Students should have access to wireless Internet while they study and shouldn’t have to worry about finding a place to plug in.
Other campuses, such as the University of North Texas, have up-to-date libraries where students enjoy their time studying.
UNT’s Willis Library has a coffee shop which keeps students from having to leave to grab a bite or re-energize.
In addition, UNT offers a student study experience that appeals to those who don’t own laptops, with a 24-hour computer lab fully furnished with new Macs and easy-print capability.
Previously, President Jesse Rogers told The Wichitan a remodel would cost $30 million and would have to be done with financial help from the state.
If MSU wants to stay competitive with other universities, it needs the remodel – now.
Prospective students want to know they will have the best college-learning experience while they earn a degree, and Moffett doesn’t appeal to that.
Students need a place where they can meet with other students, have adequate resources, such as powerful, wireless internet and the ability to grab a coffee during a late-night cram session.
Instead, we have access to barely-there Internet, outdated furnishings that don’t offer room for a group and a lack of comfort.
At least we know that President Rogers is in agreement.
He told The Wichitan that our library needed to be redesigned for our new world of communication and information storage and exchange.
Moffett also needs to be renovated so it may comply with standards set forth by the American with Disabilities Act code.
The library needs access ramps, braille signage and more parking for handicapped students.
But that’s just a few of the items on Rogers list for a renovated library if the state approves his request for funding.
Additional funds will be needed from donors, and then a renovation can begin.
Let’s just hope it is sooner rather than later – we need to do everything we can to keep our enrollment rates from plummeting even farther.
If campus was up-to-date, fresh and competitive with other universities, we might be able to interest students in enrolling at a place we have learned to love, despite its resistance to change.