The Michigan State University Board of Trustees in East Lansing met Fri., April 22, and took several actions, including planning improvements to university infrastructure, approving three new leaders, and setting fall housing rates.
Trustees authorized the university to plan for improvements to the Farm Lane Bridge and proceed with improvements to Spartan Stadium, noting the importance of continuing to invest in the university’s infrastructure. The Farm Lane Bridge was constructed in 1914 and needs improvements to provide continued connection for Spartans and several utilities across campus.
Spartan Stadium, built in 1923, also will undergo improvements this summer to apply new waterproofing sealant and expansion joints to the concrete bowl, repair and replace handrails as needed, and replace floor drains. Further, the audio system is slated to be updated and the controls from the scoreboard tower will be moved to a more accessible stadium location.
The board also approved proceeding with an expansion of the Football Complex to include a student-athlete wellness space; a new south entry lobby, locker room, and equipment room expansions; improvements to the strength and conditioning space and team meeting rooms; and site improvements to the plaza, parking lot, and loading dock. The entire expansion project is being funded by donor gifts.
University leaders and trustees also celebrated 179 graduates for achieving a 4.0 GPA and awarded each with the coveted Board of Trustees Award. This is the largest-ever number of graduates in recent history to achieve the highest scholastic average one can receive.
“The energy surrounding graduation is incredible,” says Dr. Samuel L. Stanley, president of MSU. “As we prepare our next class of Spartan graduates for the challenges of tomorrow, this group of students is a shining example of the excellence that flows through Michigan State University.”
The board also took the following actions during its meeting:
- Approval of Christina Brogdonas vice president of human resources and chief human resources officer; Pero G. Dagbovie as dean of the Graduate School; Aron Sousa as dean of the College of Human Medicine; and Kim Tobin as vice president of University Advancement.
- Approval of amendments to the Academic Governance bylaws recommended by University Council.
Before concluding the meeting, trustees set the housing rates for the next academic year. The increase of 2.94 percent, or $130 per year for housing and an additional $184 for the silver unlimited dining plan, will help address exponentially rising food costs as well as housing repair and replacement costs.
The new rate will take effect for the fall 2022 semester for first-year students and third- and fourth-year students. Housing rates for second-year students will remain unchanged for the next academic year, consistent with MSU’s two-year on-campus living requirement.
The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is June 24.
