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Collections

Curated story series

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  • Faculty voices
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Featured

Editor's picks

  • 9 reasons to love being a Spartan

    Aug. 28, 2026

    9 reasons to love being a Spartan

  • NIH awards multi-university team over $4M to improve women’s health

    Sept. 15, 2026

    NIH awards multi-university team over $4M to improve women’s health

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March 3, 2025

MSU's building stories: Student spaces

By: Kelsie Lane, JaTasia Powers, Maggie Carstensen

From long-standing buildings like the MSU Union to innovative and inclusive new facilities like the Multicultural Center, our campus has a wealth of resources and spaces designed with students in mind. From fitness centers to student resources and everything in between, this edition of MSU’s building stories looks at some of the many student-oriented spaces on campus.

Check out other installments of MSU’s building stories that feature historic buildings, campus stages and spaces that transform higher education.

Information was gathered from University Archives and Historical Collections and campus resources.

Interior shot of the MSU Union.
Exterior shot of 1855 place.
Interior shot of 1855 Place.
Exterior shot of Brody.
Stairs leading to the Brody dining hall.
Exterior image of IM Circle.
Interior shot of IM East.
Winter exterior shot of IM West.
An exterior shot of the International Center on a clear day.
Interior shot of the International Center.
Exterior shot of the MSU Main Library on a winter day.
Interior shot of a person sitting at a desk in the MSU Main Library.
A large building that comes to a point with lots of windows and a blue sky background.
Four green chairs inside a building with a person sitting in one of them.
Exterior shot of the MSU Union.
Interior shot of the MSU Union.
Exterior shot of 1855 place.
The MSU Union offers a plethora of space to use while studying, relaxing or meeting with friends with dining options including Sparty’s Mini-market and Strange Matter Coffee, providing a selection of drinks, snacks and more. Photo by Nick Schrader.
More than just its apartments and townhouses, 1855 Place is a vibrant community and multiuse building with a variety of student resources, shopping and dining. Photo by Nick Schrader.

 

Located across the street from the Breslin Student Events Center, 1855 Place is home to the MSU Athletics Department and departments within the Division of Student Life & Engagement. It’s also the perfect spot to meet up for a coffee at Starbucks, shop for fresh produce at Sparty’s Market, or check out the latest MSU apparel and grab tickets for the next big game. Photo by Nick Schrader.

 

In the middle of MSU’s most recently renovated neighborhood is Brody Hall, a hub of activity featuring a dining hall, classrooms, office and lab space. Brody Hall also hosts a variety of student resources, including a math learning center, a writing center and Neighborhood Student Success Center peer educators. Photo by Nick Schrader.

 

Brody Square is also a very popular dining option among students and visitors, featuring MSU’s largest dining hall. Photo by Nick Schrader.

 

If you’re looking for a dance battle, IM Circle’s dance studios are just the place to set the stage. The facility also features an indoor pool and two different gym areas to work out. Photo by Nick Schrader.

 

Located on the east side of campus, IM East is a popular spot for club sports, group fitness classes and more. With over 60,000 square feet of recreational space — including an indoor track, yoga rooms, indoor racquetball, squash and volleyball courts, as well as numerous outdoor fields — the possibilities are endless. Photo by Nick Schrader.

 

The largest of MSU’s Recreational Sports and Fitness Services facilities, IM West, features basketball, racquetball, volleyball, badminton and squash courts, alongside the Sports Arena, IM West Fitness Center and more. Photo by Nick Schrader.

 

Built in 1963 and expanded in 2002, the International Center houses the Office of International Studies and Programs, the MSU ID Office, MSU Bookstore and more. Photo by Nick Schrader.
A popular spot for dining on campus, the International Center is also home to the Crossroads Food Court, which offers dining options including Subway, Panda Express, Woody’s Oasis, The Roost and Sparty’s. Photo by Nick Schrader.
The center of academic life at MSU, MSU Libraries provides expertise, vast collections including more than 7 million print and electronic titles, and spaces for students to learn, study and create. Photo by Nick Schrader.
Alongside ample study space, the MSU Main Library offers a vast number of resources ranging from tools and technology for makers in the Selma D. and Stanley C. Hollander MakeCentral makerspace to unique media collections in the Gerald M. Kline Digital and Multimedia Center. Photo by Nick Schrader.
After decades of advocacy, MSU’s first freestanding Multicultural Center opened its doors on Feb. 7. Spanning 34,000 square feet, the center is designed to be a hub for connection, celebration and belonging. Photo by Nick Schrader.
Featuring community kitchens, student support spaces, an outdoor amphitheater and more, the Multicultural Center offers a welcoming space for students of all backgrounds to gather, learn and grow together. Photo by Nick Schrader.
Opened on June 12, 1925 (the big 100 is just a few months away!), the MSU Union houses an abundance of student resources including study and flex spaces, shopping, dining and entertainment. Photo by Nick Schrader.
The MSU Union offers a plethora of space to use while studying, relaxing or meeting with friends with dining options including Sparty’s Mini-market and Strange Matter Coffee, providing a selection of drinks, snacks and more. Photo by Nick Schrader.
More than just its apartments and townhouses, 1855 Place is a vibrant community and multiuse building with a variety of student resources, shopping and dining. Photo by Nick Schrader.

 

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