Center for Research on Rural Education Space Transformation: Reid Hall
Description of Request
Submitted By: Jayne Downey
The Center for Research on Rural Education (CRRE) is pursuing a renovation and expansion of its existing space within Reid Hall. The proposed updates aim to transform the current facilities into a welcoming, forward-thinking environment designed to inspire and support students who are considering or pursuing careers in teaching. The center intends to become a vibrant hub for both visiting students and those currently enrolled in education programs, offering a space that fosters collaboration, connection, and innovation.
The faculty and students in MSU’s CRRE are on a mission to respond to the pressing concerns of small, rural, and remote schools and communities across Montana, the nation, and the world through carefully designed service and research. The center is home to the Pathways program, which supports approximately 500 undergraduates in securing field placements in rural schools, further underscoring the importance of a well-resourced, accessible, and inspiring environment for future educators.
The center currently occupies offices in Reid Hall rooms 119, 120, 121, and 122, and utilizes the shared classroom in room 124. They plan to renovate the classroom space to incorporate updated technology that enhances remote learning opportunities, particularly for teachers working in rural areas. While the center would maintain access for broader campus use, the upgrades would support more flexible and technologically advanced teaching and learning formats.
The proposed project includes expansion into Reid Hall rooms 140, and 141. Rooms 140 and 141 will undergo a change in use from faculty and staff offices to student collaboration and study space, supporting group learning and engagement. The current occupants of these rooms will be relocated through an internal office shuffle managed by the college. Room 124, a shared classroom currently utilized by CRRE, will be renovated to include technology upgrades that support flexible, remote-access learning formats, particularly for rural educators. This classroom will continue to be centrally scheduled through the Office of the Registrar. Renovation of the shared conference room in Room 123 is also included in the request. This space will remain a university-wide resource in accordance with MSU’s Space Management Policy, with allowance for priority use that complies with institutional guidelines.Resolution
Date: August 1, 2025
Space Management Committee has approved the the expansion, reallocation, and change in use of Reid Rooms 140 and 141 for the CRRE and the renovations to the shared conference room (Room 123) and shared classroom (Room 124).