The highlight of MIT facilities is the gorgeous athletic facility, the Zesiger Center. Opened in 2002, the Z-Center features two pools, six squash courts, an indoor track, and multi-activity courts for basketball, volleyball, and other IMs. Access to this state-of-the-art facility is included in tuition. Moreover, students also have access to personal trainers and certain other services at a premium. The other main student facility is the Stratton Student Center. The first floor was refurnished with comfortable couches, tables, and additional seating. The various shops and restaurants inside are constantly changing. The student center includes a large reading room, a small market, a post office, a barbershop, a dry cleaner’s, an arcade, and a copy shop. The highlight of the Student Center, however, are the many available lounges and meeting areas for students. Since the dorms and living groups are so spread out, students often choose to meet in the Student Center to eat, work, and socialize.
As far as other facilities on campus are concerned, MIT is constantly trying to improve. Several of the buildings were constructed in the 1910s, so there are deferred maintenance issues. The main complaint students have is about the often eccentric architecture of the buildings, but at a unique place like MIT, the distinctive buildings do fit in nicely. Overall, most facilities on campus offer students their own preferred places to hang out, study, and make themselves comfortable.