After personally viewing more than 600 e-mailed recommendations on the future of Morrill Hall, President Gregory Geoffroy has released his findings.

In his statement, Geoffroy said 85 percent of respondents suggested either restoring Morrill Hall or reconstructing a similar building on the same site. Geoffroy expressed gratitude at the number of e-mails, but was cautious in his response, saying the $9 million necessary for restoring Morrill Hall must be raised privately, with a $3 million leadership gift.

Geoffroy said in his statement that the ISU Foundation will commission a feasibility study of suggestions raised for the building. Among the ideas for the building are a campus museum, alumni center, faculty or student commons, multicultural center and an academic success center.

“What we decide for the building depends on which choices we will have the greatest fund-raising for,” Geoffroy said.

He said he believes a museum might provide a greater fund-raising opportunity, but there are restrictions to what the building can be used for, he said.

“There is a strong sentiment about Morrill Hall, and people are indicating a number of uses,” said Warren Madden, vice president for Business and Finance. “But there are challenges with some due to the actual site of Morrill Hall. It’s in a restricted area of campus, with very little parking access.”

Madden also echoed the difficulties finding funding.

“Morrill Hall is connected with ISU as a historic building,” Madden said. “It’s not the home of a college or department, which is challenging when it comes to identifying donors.”

Barbara Boose, communications director of the ISU Foundation, said the study should gauge interest in the projects and possible donors before a full-fledged fund-raising campaign can be launched.

“We want to make sure if we get donors interested we can fulfill the entire project,” Boose said.

Tom Mitchell, president of the ISU Foundation, said he will have a draft plan of the study by the second or third week of April, which the Foundation will share with the ISU community.

“It would take 60-90 days to do the feasibility study,” Mitchell said. “We might consider having something ready by the end of July.”

Once the feasibility study has been completed, Mitchell said, the university must determine the priority level of the Morrill Hall project.

The architectural consulting firm of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., performed an investigation of Morrill Hall in January. According to its report, Morrill Hall is structurally sound, and with a comprehensive restoration the building can last for “many years.”

The firm recommends performing repairs within the next two years.

But temporary bracing should be erected immediately for loose and displaced stone and brick masonry to prevent parts from falling loose.

Madden said he believes that due to the large number of responses concerning the fate of Morrill Hall there are good chances of being able to preserve the building.

“The question is whether or not those people are willing to take out their checkbooks to support the renovation,” Madden said.

“In a few months we may have to make difficult decisions,” Geoffroy said. “The renovation must be done with private funds, but I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to do this.”