MSU Breaks Ground on Student Activities Center

Michigan State University in Lansing, Mich., recently broke ground on a new student activities center. The 10,000-square-foot facility comes with an estimated cost of $4 million and will serve as a space for registered student organizations within the university’s College of Engineering, according to a news release.

Once complete, the new William A. Demmer Engineering Center will contain amenities like an open shop area with minimal walls and barriers to allow for flexibility; a conference space for collaboration among students, faculty and visiting professionals; and a design center with computers, plotters and 3-D printers.

Other features include a testing area for conducting and testing performance analysis, tolerances and vehicle aerodynamics; a machine shop and a fabrication area; a finishing room for painting and other finishing processes; and a manager’s office.

The one-story building is being built adjacent to the MSU Scene Shop teaching lab on the south side of campus. A news release reports that the facility will not be easily accessible to students without cars but will be a stop on the local bus line.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Fayetteville State University Opens New College of Education Building

    Fayetteville State University (FSU) in Fayetteville, N.C., recently celebrated the opening of a new $69.3-million College of Education building, according to a university news release.

  • Building Beyond Simulation: Creating Immersive Ecosystems for Healthcare Education

    Health sciences education is one of the fastest-growing facility types in colleges and universities. The demand for medical, nursing, and allied health professionals is driving the creation and renovation of medical simulation training facilities that provide students with real-world experience through advanced simulation-based learning.

  • Longwood University Hits Construction Milestone on New Music Education Facility

    Longwood University in Farmville, Va., recently celebrated the topping out of its new music education and performance facility, according to a news release. The university partnered with development and construction firm Skanska on the 63,800-square-foot facility, which began construction in August 2025 and has an estimated completion date of fall 2028.