As an alumna of Montana State University, I am disappointed the renovation of Romney Hall was not included in the recent infrastructure bill proposed by House Republicans. As the fastest growing university in Montana (33 percent increase in 10 years), MSU is out of space.
As MSU states, “a renovation of Romney Hall will improve programs that directly serve students by adding classrooms, a new veterans’ center, new disabilities services center, new writing and math centers and new student study rooms.” All factors which help students stay in school and graduate. Presently Romney has four classrooms with 140 seats. The plan is to repurpose the building to 18 classrooms with over 1,000 seats.
If renovated, over 9,000 students a day will utilize this space. With students coming to MSU from all 56 counties in Montana, this is an infrastructure project that has statewide implications.
It is important for our legislators to provide funding to support our present and future students with adequate classroom space.
Carol J. Nelson
Lakeside