By Gloria Magallanes
The new University Student Union Building located next to Chavez Plaza has given CSUSM a new color.
Its construction began in February of 2012, with a total project budget of $43,980,000. After 23 months of construction the building opened up to students this spring semester of 2014.
Part of the university experience is to have a campus that students may connect with, without that connection; a university is simply a place to get an education. Both Palomar College and SDSU have student unions on campus. UCSD has a Student Services Center dedicated to being the “one-stop resource located in the heart of campus” according to the website.
The USU is unique in its layout and design; it has an air of sophistication and modernity that envelops every student who steps through the clear doors. However some students have mentioned that they have had some trouble with the new design.
“The bathrooms are strange, it’s difficult to find them,” one CSUSM student said, in reference to the singular bathrooms in the USU building.
Along with its fantastic design come many new and convenient locations for students to eat a meal or simply soak in the sun. The USU has an amphitheater that has the capability to seat around 400 people. It also has a spacious roof patio on the fourth floor that connects one wing to the next. On this patio students may be found sitting on silver chairs and tables or lounging on big comfortable sofas that face the beautiful view of San Marcos.
“I like to read on the patio whenever I have free time. Especially when it was earlier on in the semester, I was able to enjoy the sunset” Yadira, a CSUSM student, said.
The USU, along with the new lounge areas, now provides new food locations for students to choose from, although reviews have been mixed about whether the changes have been good. A CSUSM student lounging on a couch on the patio voiced her opinions, saying that the USU “has its good and its bad.”
“It looks super nice, the bad thing is that I wish that they had somewhat better food and also heaters on the patio to warm us up on cool evenings,” she also said.
Although many things can be said about the USU Building now, there is no doubt that it is a great new addition to CSUSM’s campus. Whether students find themselves loving the new location or disliking some things, it has definitely earned a spot in the university and in the hearts of many students.
The University Student Union Administration contact was not available for comment at this time. The University Student Ribbon Cutting ceremony will be held April 15 at noon.
