MSU President Jesse Rogers speaks to Senate Finance Committee for funding

Presidents of universities having major projects still alive in the budgetary process were called to Austin on April 11 to testify before the Senate Finance Committee.

University President Jesse Rogers pleaded his case to the committee in hopes of funding a $30 million remodel project for Moffett Library.

“I was encouraged by the questions the senators asked me and by their responses to my statement,” Rogers said.

Rogers admitted to the Senate that the university could be expected to contribute only 10 percent of the money needed for the library.

“I believe that there will be interest in supporting the project and I look forward to working with donors,” Rogers said.

Last August, Midwestern included the renovation of Moffett Library in its Legislative Appropriation Request for fiscal years 2014 and 2015. All state universities submit a yearly major projects list that they hope the Legislature will fund sometime in the future.

“For a number of years, renovation of library has been at the top of the list of major projects Midwestern has submitted annually to the state,” Rogers said.

Projects at the dollar value of the library remodel require approval and funding by the Texas Legislature.

“MSU’s proposal has survived a number of steps in the budgetary process,” Rogers said. “I take that to mean that the Senate believes that the request has merit.”

University Librarian Clara Latham said the current library has been outdated since the 80s.

“The main part of the building that faces Taft Boulevard was built in 1964,” Latham  said. “It had a lot of windows, which we really prefer. The new addition that was added in 1986 has no windows at all. A lot of people complain about that because they want natural light.”

There was also not a lot of demand for electricity when the library was originally built so the issues with wiring as been a huge problem for Moffett, Latham  said.

“People didn’t have electrically-driven devices,” she said. “They came here to use paper based books so we need more capability for electricity. More outlets and places for people to plug in devices and use what they are more used to using.”

Even though the library has had building-wide wireless for two years, Latham  said students still need more access to power.

“I do throw power strips around when I can so people can double up and use some of the outlets that are available, but they are pretty far and between in that older part of the building,” Latham said.

Latham  said the remodel would also help her library staff when it comes to fielding complaints from students and making the overall workday more enjoyable.

“It would make the staff probably more positive coming to work with an update, more modern and appealing place for them to work as well,” she said. “Several of my staff really lament the fact that they have no windows in their own office.”

The library also doesn’t meet the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 guidelines, which Latham said is the big issue with how the current library is designed. If the library is remodeled, Latham said then all of the ADA rules would kick in, and the remodel would have to include improvements to accommodate those with disabilities.

“The hallways to the bathrooms aren’t wide enough so the whole bathroom structures on both ends of the building would have to be rebuilt,” Latham said. “Also, our book stacks are too close together so every book stack would have to be moved.”

To make the library more student-friendly, Latham said the main thing they want to do with the remodel is to add more study spaces and group-work spaces.

Latham said adding a coffee bar is also a possibility for the new library.

“We want to make it more accommodating and comfortable for people who come in the study,” she said.

An information commons in the reference area, where there is moveable furniture for students, can personalize the space to fit the kind of group work they are doing is also a major plan, Latham said.

“The addition of smart boards will hook to computers so students can all link in their computers and work on one common work space,” she said.

With only one classroom on the second floor of Moffett, Latham said increasing the number of space that could be used for presentations is another priority.

“We’d like to have an area where we can plan public events like book signings, book readings and lectures,” she said.

Ana Lopez, freshman in nursing, said the library is not the only building on campus that deserves a remodeling.

“I believe Clark Student Center can be remodeled to make new fun stuff for students,” Lopez said. “But there are some places in the library that can be changed such as the restrooms, new tables and the main entrance.”

Even though Tiffany Segler, freshman in dental hygiene, said she believes the library could use an upgrade on books, but she finds the current library useful and effective the way it is.

“Thirty million dollars is a lot of money that could be used other places such as scholarships, baseball field and campus dorms,” Segler said. “I don’t think the whole $30 million needs to go toward a perfectly arranged and useful library.”

Students who use the library’s resources on a daily basis, like Dadiq Bage, junior in international studies, said the library’s lack of current technology is a constant struggle.

“A great update in technology should be involved [in the remodel],” Bage said. “The present library lacks modern infrastructure. An upgrade will be a very much welcomed idea.”

Elizabeth Burke, junior in social work, said she uses the library very often and likes the different levels, where certain floors are quiet zones, and the option for a private room. Burke said the remodel should include more private rooms for studying.

“Instead of remodeling the library, MSU should be investing in staff to actually keep the library open 24/7 like other major universities,” Burke said. “However, I think the money would be better spent on a parking garage.”

According to sophomore Kenzie Evans, radiology major, more outlets and tables would be a successful addition to the new library.

“I visit the library every week,” Evans said. “It is student-friendly because it provides for all our needs. But I do not believe this is where Midwestern should be investing its money. The library is old, however, there is nothing wrong with it.”

Although it is easier for sophomore Savannah Campbell, radiology major, to study at home, she said if administrators receive funding for a new library it should just be an update of the scenery to make it not look so outdated.

“If we have $30 million, then use it in a smarter way,” Campbell said.

Senior mass communication major Madison Zenk agrees with Campbell, saying that studying at home is the best way for her to study instead of the library.

“They could get more printers, more plugs for those that use laptops,” Zenk said. “Also, they could redo the seating. The chairs and tables are uncomfortable. The library in general is way outdated. Yet $30 million is a lot of money. I think could be spent elsewhere.”

Zenk said a better option would be providing money to each college.

“Providing money to each college and major department should get more money over a library remodel. The only thing the library could improve could be technology.”

Junior mass communication major Marisa Chandler said if the university is going to invest $30 million toward Moffett Library, it better be worth it.

“There are a number of different things that MSU could invest its money into aside of a remodeled library,” Chandler said. “The library is fine. Don’t fix something that’s not broken, especially when it’s a $30 million fix.”