By Melissa Martinez
The QUAD and other new buildings under construction on campus have both returning students and freshmen in agreement that CSUSM is evolving, however most students fail to realize just how quickly the campus is expanding.
The first phase of The QUAD opened this fall to new freshman, some of whom were required to live on campus for their first year. Located across the street from the original (and only) on-campus housing, The University Village Apartments (UVA), The QUAD offers a variety of living situations .
The perks of living at The QUAD include a flat-screen TV in the living room, furnished lounge spaces and a full kitchen with stainless-steel appliances. Throughout the three rate plans, students have the option of living in a 4 bedroom/4 bathroom double-occupancy unit with individual monthly installments starting at $800, 3 bedroom/3 bathroom double-occupancy units starting at individual installments of $825 and a 4 bedroom/2 bathroom unit, at monthly installments of $900.
The New York-style flats promote a “green living” lifestyle, with a “game cave,” a laundry facility that is cheaper than that at UVA (the washers even send out text message alerts when each load is done), indoor and outdoor study lounges, resident life programs and a swimming area. Though The QUAD is expanding, many residents choose to live in The UVA, where having a roommate is an option, the fully-furnished bedrooms have extra long twin beds, a dresser, a computer desk and a fully furnished living room.
Each floor in The UVA and The QUAD has a “theme” reflecting the characteristics of residents on that floor. For example, among the many themes are the international floor for students studying abroad, “academic hall” for the more studious students, the “geek and gamer” floor for those who enjoy video games and a co-ed floor. UVA also offers students the choice to live in a co-ed apartment, a first for the facility.
The expansion of the campus means that students who are looking for ways to get involved and significantly enrich their college experience should consider on-campus housing.
Thomas • Jun 30, 2014 at 3:21 am
Don’t apply to live at the Quad. Since its construction is so recent the student “workers” are completely disorganized and know next to nothing. Calling for assistance in a matter will usually result in 3-4 phone transfers ending on a employee not even working that day. Be prepared to receive random charges at random times with short lived due dates. There are also about 3 mandatory room checks a month and that RA’s are allowed to enter dorm and private rooms whether you are home or not. They are also allowed to check/search your dorm space if they are “suspicious” something might be happening. Oh and after I moved out I received a letter stating I had balance due of $175 for Description:Door. Your guess is as good as mine what that means and I already passed their designated time limit for an appeal for the Description:Door. Also, don’t trust the photos posted on the site, maybe one room looks like that but most look nothing like that and don’t even have closets. We received wooden lockers instead. If you want to enjoy your college experience avoid this place like the plague
Thomas • Jun 29, 2014 at 11:07 pm
Don’t apply to live at the Quad. Since its construction is so recent the student “workers” are completely disorganized and know next to nothing. Calling for assistance in a matter will usually result in 3-4 phone transfers ending on a employee not even working that day. Be prepared to receive random charges at random times with short lived due dates. There are also about 3 mandatory room checks a month and that RA’s are allowed to enter dorm and private rooms whether you are home or not. They are also allowed to check/search your dorm space if they are “suspicious” something might be happening. Oh and after I moved out I received a letter stating I had balance due of $175 for Description:Door. Your guess is as good as mine what that means and I already passed their designated time limit for an appeal for the Description:Door. Also, don’t trust the photos posted on the site, maybe one room looks like that but most look nothing like that and don’t even have closets. We received wooden lockers instead. If you want to enjoy your college experience avoid this place like the plague.