CSUSM's new University Student Union (USU) opened its doors at the start of the spring semester after just 23 months of construction. Instantly, the impact of the four-story, nearly 90,000-square-foot building was felt across campus, as students and the greater university community affectionately began calling the USU the new heartbeat of CSUSM and hub of student life.
Located near the center of campus between Kellogg Library and Chavez Plaza, the USU features new dining options, an open-air amphitheater, a student activity center with a game lounge, a rooftop garden and patio and an expansive ballroom.
"The USU was designed with the input of students and is all about serving students," said senior Dominica Ranieri, chairwoman of the student-led USU Advisory Board. "The new space brings a new vibe to our campus, and helps create a stronger sense of community and collaborative spirit."
A HUB FOR STUDENTS
"The University Student Union has undoubtedly become the new focal point of campus," commented Lorena Meza, vice president for student affairs. "The transition of student-focused services to the USU provides for a new level of collaboration with, and on behalf of, students."
The concept and ideas behind the USU began nearly seven years ago, as students met with administrators to design a collaborative space that would bring student life together. The $43.9 million project, which broke ground in February 2012, was funded through student fees.
"The USU truly represents the spirit and tenacity of our campus and our ability to get things done for the benefit of our students," said President Haynes. "We really do march to our own beat at CSUSM."
Eat, Relax and Play
Home to four full-service eateries, a new coffee house and a convenience store featuring a Jamba Juice smoothie bar, the USU greatly expanded the dining and menu options on campus.
Student lounges both indoor and outdoor give ample space for students to relax, while student meeting rooms offer more formal spaces for students to engage in meaningful dialogue and host small gatherings.
Among the many popular destinations in the USU is the new activity center with pay-to-play console gaming and table games, including billiards, foosball and air hockey. A commuter lounge on the first floor features couches, microwaves, day-use lockers and a shower facility for students commuting to campus. The reflection and tranquility lounges on the fourth floor offer restful spaces for students to meditate or recharge between classes.
The outdoor pavilions, rooftop patio and multiple terraces add an additional 10,000 sq. ft. of usable space. The signature rooftop patio offers picturesque views of San Marcos and the campus, and features a sustainable live roof garden with 16 species of indigenous plants and grasses. The live roof garden is among the key sustainable features of the USU, helping regulate the building's temperature and reduce energy use. The USU was designed and built with sustainability in mind to meet LEED Gold standards, a benchmark established by the U.S. Green Building Council to measure the sustainability, efficiency and innovation of high performance buildings. Other green features include solar panels on the pavilion roofs, use of natural lighting throughout the building and a water reclamation system.
The open-air amphitheater can seat up to 400 people and sliding glass doors on the stage can open up into the ballroom to create one combined venue. The 9,000 sq. ft. ballroom has movable walls to accommodate events of all sizes.
Located near the center of campus between Kellogg Library and Chavez Plaza, the USU features new dining options, an open-air amphitheater, a student activity center with a game lounge, a rooftop garden and patio and an expansive ballroom.
"The USU was designed with the input of students and is all about serving students," said senior Dominica Ranieri, chairwoman of the student-led USU Advisory Board. "The new space brings a new vibe to our campus, and helps create a stronger sense of community and collaborative spirit."
A HUB FOR STUDENTS
"The University Student Union has undoubtedly become the new focal point of campus," commented Lorena Meza, vice president for student affairs. "The transition of student-focused services to the USU provides for a new level of collaboration with, and on behalf of, students."
The concept and ideas behind the USU began nearly seven years ago, as students met with administrators to design a collaborative space that would bring student life together. The $43.9 million project, which broke ground in February 2012, was funded through student fees.
"The USU truly represents the spirit and tenacity of our campus and our ability to get things done for the benefit of our students," said President Haynes. "We really do march to our own beat at CSUSM."
Eat, Relax and Play
Home to four full-service eateries, a new coffee house and a convenience store featuring a Jamba Juice smoothie bar, the USU greatly expanded the dining and menu options on campus.
Student lounges both indoor and outdoor give ample space for students to relax, while student meeting rooms offer more formal spaces for students to engage in meaningful dialogue and host small gatherings.
Among the many popular destinations in the USU is the new activity center with pay-to-play console gaming and table games, including billiards, foosball and air hockey. A commuter lounge on the first floor features couches, microwaves, day-use lockers and a shower facility for students commuting to campus. The reflection and tranquility lounges on the fourth floor offer restful spaces for students to meditate or recharge between classes.
The outdoor pavilions, rooftop patio and multiple terraces add an additional 10,000 sq. ft. of usable space. The signature rooftop patio offers picturesque views of San Marcos and the campus, and features a sustainable live roof garden with 16 species of indigenous plants and grasses. The live roof garden is among the key sustainable features of the USU, helping regulate the building's temperature and reduce energy use. The USU was designed and built with sustainability in mind to meet LEED Gold standards, a benchmark established by the U.S. Green Building Council to measure the sustainability, efficiency and innovation of high performance buildings. Other green features include solar panels on the pavilion roofs, use of natural lighting throughout the building and a water reclamation system.
The open-air amphitheater can seat up to 400 people and sliding glass doors on the stage can open up into the ballroom to create one combined venue. The 9,000 sq. ft. ballroom has movable walls to accommodate events of all sizes.