In a vast campus, incoming freshmen and every other CSUN student have the opportunity to find benefits they might not known they had in the University Student Union.

The University Student Union is a non-profit student driven organization at CSUN that is committed to enhance the college experience through countless programs, activities, and social events. This is especially helpful to incoming freshmen that are in pursuit of a positive college experience.

“Freshmen can benefit in so many ways,” said Amanda Schmid, Public Relations Assistant at the USU Marketing Department. “We offer study lounges, and we also have several events where students can come and socialize and meet new students and can participate in activities they enjoy.”

The USU is a series of buildings, restaurants and community all built into one resource for students to use to make their college lives more enjoyable. It includes the Pub, a small restaurant that serves alcoholic drinks and has big screen Televisions where students have Lakers Night and Monday Night Football. Subway, Freudian Sip, Geronimo’s, and La Tienda are the other locations that serve food in the USU.

“I sometimes come to the Pub and buy myself a beer before I go to class,” said Alex Roncagliogo, 22, CSUN student. “I know its kind of weird, but I really do enjoy it.”

The USU also has Wells Fargo, study rooms, study lounges, the A.S. Ticket Office, Computer Labs, Health Center, and the Plaza del Sol, which is a large theater that can be rented out for meetings or performances upon request.

One of the most popular social events that the USU provides for CSUN students is Matador Nights, which according to Schmid is one of CSUN’s biggest nights for its student population. It is a nightly event which offers free food, live music, and several games which include casino tables, aerial acts, and ‘Scat-A-Whirl.’

“I’m a Senior now, and I have gone to Matador Nights every year without fail,” said Jennifer Velasquez, 21, CSUN student. “There is so much to do with your friends, and who would pass up free food?”

Perhaps the most anticipated new addition the University Student Union is the Student Recreation Center, which is currently undergoing construction and will open in January of 2012. It will be over 100,000 square feet, and will include weight and fitness space, multi-court arenas, an indoor track, a field complex, and an indoor pool.

“Pretty much anything that a student could ever desire for their fitness needs will be at the USRC (University Student Recreational Center), and I’m really excited about that,” said Schmid.

The University Student Union creates a community on campus and it is open to every single CSUN student to enjoy and benefit from.