As an alumnus of Oklahoma State University, I've always cherished the history and tradition embedded within our campus. Kerr and Drummond Halls, iconic structures at OSU, stand not only as a testament to the university’s rich history but as a reminder of the hard work it took to build them. Sadly, these historical dorms are closed now, leading to a pressing issue for the current student body: a severe shortage of residential accommodations.

With thousands of students enrolling at OSU, the demand for campus living options has never been higher. The closure of Kerr and Drummond Halls has significantly limited these options, leaving students scrambling for available housing and negatively impacting their college experience. While there are proposals to transform this site into a parking garage, such a prospect would demand substantial funds—money that could be better utilized by revitalizing student living options.

Reopening Kerr and Drummond Halls is not just about preserving history; it's about providing students with the space they desperately need. Dorm life is an integral part of the college experience, fostering community, collaboration, and academic success. By renovating these buildings, OSU can offer diverse residential options, alleviate overcrowding, and enhance student life on campus.

Moreover, preservationists remind us of the environmental and cultural benefits of conserving iconic structures rather than replacing them. Renovation could be cost-effective over time, utilizing sustainable building techniques to reduce further expenses and environmental impact.

Even if it's too expensive to maintain, we still need housing options for students, even if the other dorms are available. We should include them in the maintenance because all the other dorms get maintained. Even though Wentz was built in the '60s, it is still maintained today. Even though these were built during the same time period, it would be helpful to renovate, as well as make it safe for people to live in. These dorms shouldn't be torn down because they are a part of OSU's history. With lots of enrollment, there is limited space, which means overcrowding in dorms. If we open these dorms back up and make them safe, then students will have a place to live, especially with incoming freshman coming each year. 

If we renovate them, then we can make them fireproof and remove anything harmful such as asbestos. 

There should be a way to clean the dorms outside too since lots of dirt and grime has built up over the years, making them loose their shine. If we tear them down, everyone will be stuck without a living space, and they will have the same places to choose from. So by renovating and reopening, we can help stop overcrowding, making a space for people to live, and make sure the buildings are clean inside and out!
Let’s ensure our future Cowboys and Cowgirls have a home on the campus we love without compromising its history. Also, please support this to give everyone a home for the upcoming school year and years to come without tearing it down. Please don't tear it down because nobody will have a place to live and it is to expensive to tear down something that people took a lot of work, effort, days, weeks, months, and years to build. Please sign this petition urging Oklahoma State University to renovate and reopen Kerr and Drummond Halls for the betterment of the OSU community.