Housing and Food Services Strategic Plan and Updates

Michigan State University has one of the largest residence hall systems and one of the largest dining systems in the country. In 2008, Hanbury helped the University create an open and collaborative process, uniting diverse units within the Division in a shared vision for auxiliary enterprises. A goal was to achieve optimal balance between existing and future enrollment with housing and dining system size (space utilization and capacity), while prioritizing improvements to offer options and amenities desired by students. The resulting plan included an evaluation of all MSU’s auxiliaries, current and future market conditions, evaluations of facilities’ conditions and recommendations for a 15- to 20-year capital plan. Like many of its peer institutions, MSU’s legacy of traditional residence halls struggle to compete with newer, more amenities-driven off-campus housing options. Rich in program offerings like living/learning and residential colleges, MSU focuses on delivering an exceptional Spartan Experience. The team led MSU in discovering what programs matter most to support student success and the actions that were needed to improve students recruitment, retention and academic success.

Hanbury updated the original 2007 plan in 2012 to reflect MSU’s accomplishments and fine-tuned the plan to capture new initiatives. MSU also engaged Hanbury to develop their 2015 housing master plan and then in spring 2018, they engaged the firm to do another update to the strategic plan to respond to anticipated changes in enrollment and to identify opportunities to compete with growing off-campus housing competition.