More than 10,000 students began the spring semester at Cal State San Marcos today and got to make use of their new $43.9 million student union for the first time.
The more than 89,000-square-foot, four-story student union is roughly in the center of campus, and includes a 400-seat outdoor amphitheater, an activity center with a game lounge, six eateries, a 3,000-square-foot green roof with outdoor seating areas, and a 9,000-square-foot ballroom.
The outdoor pavilions and rooftop patio add an additional nearly 10,000 square feet of useable space.
A grand opening celebration for the building, which was funded through student fees, is scheduled for April 15.
Construction is underway on a $9.5 million student health and counseling services building, which is set to open in the fall, and a veterans center.
School officials said renovation of one floor of University Hall, which will benefit the CSUSM nursing program, is scheduled to begin next month.
Classes begin Wednesday at San Diego State University, where a new student union building will also open for business.
