Students find solace in student union activities

By Jody Leggett
Special to the Daily Forty-Niner

Rosaldo Avastillas, a Cal State Long Beach student, watches patiently while waiting his turn to challenge his next victim at the University Student Union.

He lingers in a room inhabited by all men and scopes out his competition, hoping his opportunity to let out some stress will quickly be met. In a shadowy corner, two students are battling each other with such intensity that it draws everyone to that side of the compacted room.

"I like to come here when I am bored or when I am meeting someone between classes," Avastillas said. "And it is a good way to release some stress."

His turn finally comes and he bravely makes his way through the thick crowd. Everyone pierces him with stares as he approaches the object of his anticipation. His opponent's name is "Marvel vs. Capcom 2," and will be a tough match according to the spectators.

This is one of the many ways students can take advantage of what is offered at CSULB, when it comes to free time and what to do with it. The arcade is filled with 23 games and two pinball machines. Even though it is located in the Student Union building, it presents students with the chance to escape from the reality of school.

In addition to the arcade, a bowling alley, a billiards room and a big-screen television also occupies the building.

Lisa Molina de la Loza, assistant director of services, recreation and retail operations, said that the activities offered at the student union are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. The student union is closed on Sunday.

The bowling alley even provides lessons that cost $25 per person. The lanes are only open to those in the classes on Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and another session from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Fridays it is from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Bowling is a highly competitive sport that each person takes seriously, said Mel Leach, the bowling instructor.

"Teachers even rearrange their schedules to take lessons," Leach said.

The CSULB bowling team finds CSU Fullerton its biggest rival. Some colleges offer scholarships to excellent and dedicated bowlers, Leach said.

The billiard room has circular tables outlining the bright orange and white walls where observers can watch from a short distance. Students pay a fee of $2.50 for a half-hour and $4.50 for one hour.

For those who do not want to engage in any physical activity on their breaks, there is a big-screen TV to satisfy the couch-potato feeling that creeps up after a long-winded, 75-minute class.

The TV room hosts many special events, Molina de la Loza said. "Monday Night Football" is broadcast and on Saturdays shows college games are shown. It can also be rented out to deliver private parties.

Jennifer Ford, an employee at the bowling alley, said she thinks the business they get each day is due to the students need to fill their time between classes. She thinks this because the bowling alley's peak hours are during the mid-day when most students have classes. The crowds at night are typically from dorm students looking for something to do.

Avastillas considers the boredom of a person the greatest impact on why students use the facilities. That is the main reason he forks over his quarters when he resides in the arcade.

"I am usually waiting for a person and we choose this as a meeting point," Avastillas said. "And while I am waiting I get bored so I play video games."