The university has benefited greatly from suggestions that ISU students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and friends have submitted to me on a variety of issues, including improving campus security, expanding free speech areas and addressing budget problems. There is another issue that deserves our collective attention, and again, I am seeking your ideas.

The issue is what to do with Morrill Hall, a building that holds special significance to Iowa State and the state of Iowa.

Morrill Hall stands as a symbol of Iowa’s leadership in being the first state to adopt the terms of the Morrill Act, which created the nation’s system of land-grant universities. It and the many other Morrill Halls around the nation also serve as a memorial to Vermont Sen. Justin Morrill, who worked long and hard to get that legislation passed. Although there is no requirement that land-grant institutions must have a building named in honor of Sen. Morrill, we do have such a building, and we are proud of it.

Built in 1890, Morrill Hall is one of the oldest structures on the ISU campus and one that has had many uses over the years. Because it sits at a prominent location on Central Campus, with its stately turret overlooking the broad green expanse, many who attended class or worked here think of Morrill Hall as one of the strongest visual images of Iowa State.

Unfortunately, Morrill Hall has never in its 112-year history had any major remodeling, upgrading or improvement. It was built with cast-iron steel structural frame elements, which have poor horizontal stability, and it is likely that many of these elements would have to be replaced or significantly reinforced. In addition, about 35 years ago the exterior was sandblasted as a recommended way to recondition and seal the deteriorating bricks. It did not work and the bricks have continued to deteriorate, permitting significant moisture penetration. A significant fraction of the exterior would now have to be removed and replaced, along with the windows and roof.

As a result, it is no longer fit for occupancy, and the last offices were moved out in 1998.

I recently asked for an assessment of the condition of Morrill Hall by external consultants experienced in historical renovation. The consultants’ work was done in January. Their report is available for inspection in the office of the Vice President for Business and Finance, 1350 Beardshear Hall.

The consultants identified a number of serious problems, but concluded that the building was structurally sound and salvageable. However, any serious restoration project would require the interior of the building to be rebuilt with a completely new utility infrastructure and brought up to current code and accessibility requirements.

So, if the interior is gutted, a substantial amount of brick and masonry removed and the frame replaced, it may be better to describe what needs to be done as “reconstruction,” rather than “restoration.”

Finally, cost estimates for such a reconstruction are in the $8-$9 million range, or about $345 per square foot for this 24,890 gross square foot building. For comparison, a new building of this size with similar functionality could be constructed for about $5 million ($200 per square foot). Restoring Morrill Hall would thus cost about 40 percent more than constructing a new building of similar size.

There is also the question of who will supply the funding for the project. Certainly in these difficult budget times, the university does not have resources to apply to this project. Although Morrill Hall has been on the Board of Regents’ capital improvements list for decades, it is not likely that the project will ever be financed with state funding. Therefore, we would have to turn to private fund raising, and so far that has been a challenge with this building.

Although some alumni may contribute to the project because of their sense of history and their love for Morrill Hall, that appeal alone will not generate the $8 to $9 million needed. Before we can attempt additional fund raising for this building, we must clearly identify a reasonable and workable use for Morrill Hall, one that alumni and others will want to support financially because of their interest in that use. If we fail to identify a use that has compelling fund-raising potential, our only recourse will be to bring Morrill Hall down.

Because parking limitations and accessibility problems at Morrill Hall’s current location rule out a number of potential uses, some people have suggested the building be reconstructed at another campus location. If that were done, it would be necessary to commemorate Morrill Hall’s original location, perhaps with a campus plaza.

So, I am asking you to send me suggestions on potential uses for Morrill Hall that you believe alumni and others will want to support financially and that also meet university needs. I would also value your opinion as to whether we should consider reconstructing Morrill Hall at a different campus location if that were to be necessary to accommodate some particular use that has the needed fund-raising potential. And finally, if it were to prove necessary to either reconstruct Morrill Hall at another campus location or to bring the building down without reconstruction, how should we commemorate the original location?

Please send your comments to [email protected] by March 15. We will post the comments we receive on the Web site for everyone to read. Writers’ names will not be used. I look forward to your ideas and suggestions on this important campus landmark.

Gregory Geoffroy is the president of Iowa State University. He is a guest columnist.