The long awaited California State Long Beach University Student Union Improvement Project, which has been underway since November 1996, is finally complete, just in time for the fall 1998 semester.
The new four-story building, located between the north and the west campus, will be featuring many new and exciting activities for CSULB students.
The $17-million dollar renovation has taken place to accommodate additional weight for third floor offices, to meet seismic guidelines, and to provide more space for student facilities, according to Diane C. Dumas, administration coordinator for the University Student Union.
New wheelchair ramps and electric sliding glass doors have been added for easier handicap accessibility, Dumas said, as well as an elevated walkway, an elevator and a covered exterior escalator to make access to the cafeteria and bookstore an easier trip. Even though the construction of the building is complete, the administration is continually trying to come up with ideas to make it even better, she said.
"We just want to make sure students know they can come here and have a good time," Dumas said. "They have a place to come home to."
The USU building has several features available for student leisure. The first floor, known as the Entertainment Floor, houses a bowling alley, a billiard room, and a table tennis area. Also featured is a recreation room where the students can catch up on their soap operas on the large screen TV. A movie theater, a video game arcade and a swimming pool where students can cool off on hot autumn afternoons also exists in the facilities.
While eating lunch, students can enjoy several forms of live entertainment throughout the week.
The USU features a Tuesday Union Showcase, where students can sit down and listen to live music while relaxing on the patio.
Live concerts will be held at the south plaza terrace, two or three days a week, between the hours of 12 and 1p.m.. The west patio will feature live music of a more mellow variety.
Various community events take place at the USU building throughout the year: a house-vendor fair, an International food fair, and various cultural fairs, featuring live entertainment and exotic cuisine.
"There is always something going on." said Ed Claxton, building superintendent engineer.
A wide variety of commercial services are also available to students:
The USU offers Gary & Co. a hair salon, as well as a travel agency where students can book their holiday vacation. A new 49r's convenience store is in the works, as well as plans for a retail CD/tape store.
Students can have their photos developed at the information/ticket counter, while purchasing tickets for campus events sponsored by student organizations. Planet Graph-X produces all types of creative signs and flyers for a variety of events.
KBCH radio, a new campus radio station, will have its facility housed in the building and will be up and running in the fall.
More student lounges are being planned for the future, such as a movie lounge, which will also serve as the movie theater lobby; and for the sports buff, a sports lounge with a satellite dish is undergoing consideration at this time.
"As of yet, all plans are subject to approval," Dumas said.
In the meantime, students can make use of the Multipurpose Room for banquets and dances, a small auditorium, 18 meeting rooms, and relax or study in their choice of six different informal lounges. The new University Student Union building will provide a warm ambiance, according to Claxton,
"It is the place to see and be seen by other students." Claxton said
In addition to providing a place where the students can hang out, the University Student Union also provides valuable services. The building serves as the headquarters for the Associated Students Inc.(student government and business office), University Student Union Administration Office, Student Life and Development, University-related student groups, University Alumni Relations, Disabled Student Services, Interfaith Center, Legal Aid and the Union newspaper.
The third floor will house organization offices, administration offices and student clubs space. The student clubs occupying the space will be determined by a lottery system. To be fair, the student clubs must submit an application in order to determine who will get to occupy the space, according to Dumas.
In March 1965, the student body voted to assess a fee each semester for the Student Unionís construction, ongoing maintenance, and to ensure the continuation of various services and activities. The USU programs are paid for by the University Student Union fee upon semester registration which provides students with use of the facilities, said Dumas.
University Student Union building hours are Monday through Thursday 7a.m.-11p.m., Friday from 7a.m.-12a.m., Saturday from 10a.m.-11p.m. and closed on Sunday. Students are encouraged to help plan and organize events by becoming active in campus clubs and organizations, Dumas said. Reservations for the meeting rooms may be made through the Scheduling Office in the University Student Union.