Welcome to CSUSM! This walking tour will ensure you get to see our modern, vibrant campus in the most efficient way while you're here.
Administrative Building
The Administrative Building, easily recognized by its iconic rotunda, is home to the university's administrative offices, including the Office of the President. Students are frequent visitors to the third floor and Cougar Central, a one-stop location for Admissions & Student Outreach, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Office of the Registrar, and Student Financial Services.
Tukwut Courtyard
Just outside Cougar Central is Tukwut Courtyard, a peaceful place to study or catch up with friends. CSUSM is located on the traditional territory and homelands of the Luiseño people, and Tukwut (pronounced TUKE-wut) is the Luiseño word for mountain lion, the university’s original campus mascot. Take a minute to snap a selfie with the Tukwut statue.
Kellogg Library
Named after Keith Kellogg II, grandson of the famed cereal company magnate, Kellogg Library is an essential partner in teaching and learning, research, and community engagement at CSUSM. The five-story, 200,000-square-foot building, which opened in 2004, includes a 24/5 Zone, which is available to students, faculty and staff around the clock, five days a week. The Starbucks located near the main entrance is a popular spot throughout the day.
University Student Union
Known as “the heartbeat of campus,” the USU is the hub of student life at CSUSM. From half a dozen dining options to a convenience store, game rooms, lounges, a ballroom and an outdoor amphitheater, there is no shortage of spaces and events for students. The USU is also where you’ll find Associated Students, Inc., five student life centers, Cougar Pantry, the Office of the Dean of Students, and Student Life and Leadership.
Chavez Statue
At the top of the stairs stands Cesar Chavez, an inspirational symbol to the campus that yes, it can be done.
Clarke Field House
Affectionately known as “The Clarke,” the M. Gordon Clarke Field House provided the first on-campus recreation and meeting space for students. Completed in 2003, the building includes a fitness center, gymnasium, locker rooms, a catering kitchen, conference rooms and office space for Campus Recreation and Cougar Athletics.
The Sports Center
With seating for 1,400, the Sports Center has been the home of men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball since 2016. The 25,000-square-foot facility also includes a ticket office, offices for coaches, a student-athlete lounge and student-athlete locker rooms for all sports. The Department of Athletics sponsors 13 NCAA Division II teams that compete in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Students can obtain free tickets for athletics events online.
Extended Learning Building
The largest academic building on campus, the 135,000-square-foot Extended Learning building brought all Extended Learning operations under one roof for the first time when it opened in 2019. It was the first academic building in California established through a unique public-private partnership, requiring no state funds for its design, planning or construction. It is also home to student support centers, community outreach centers, lab and research facilities, the STEM Education Center and the Innovation Hub.
The QUAD Apartments
With apartment-style living in modern facilities, this campus-affiliated housing features nearly a dozen available floor plans and provides residents social spaces, swimming pools, laundry, a fitness center and more. Home to more than 700 students, The QUAD is across the street from the university’s new Extended Learning building in the heart of North City and just a quick walk across the street from campus.
University Village Apartments
Our modern, on-campus, apartment-style housing for students boasts amenities such as an outdoor pool, cycling fitness center, courtyards, patios and other outdoor social spaces. Located across the street from The Sports Center, home of CSUSM NCAA Division II athletics, the UVA provides quick and easy access to both the heart of campus and North City
Student Health and Counseling Services Building
Located adjacent to the parking structure on Campus Way Circle, Student Health & Counseling Services (SHCS) offers vital health service to students, including clinical exams, counseling, pharmacy and health education classes. SHCS is fully accredited through the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care – achieving the highest ratings in all areas of this comprehensive review – and has a staff of professionals dedicated to serving students in a warm, caring and professional environment.
Science Hall II
Though first-time visitors sometimes confuse it with Science Hall 1, CSUSM's second science building is located on the east side of campus between the University Student Union and the parking structure. The building’s opening in 2003 provided much-needed additional lab and classroom space.
Social & Behavioral Sciences Building (SBSB)
Referred to as SBSB for short, the Social & Behavioral Sciences Building is home to the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. The university’s largest college has two dozen departments that offer an exciting variety of degrees and programs that make up the core of a liberal arts education at CSUSM.
Arts Building
Built as part of a master-planned second phase of the original campus buildings, the Arts Building opened in 2003 and serves as the home of the university’s School of Arts. The building includes music and recording studios, a lobby art gallery, a 150-seat performance hall, a dance studio and much more.
University Hall
Opened in 1998, University Hall served as a model for future buildings on campus as its array of classroom configurations helped to determine how students respond to different methods of learning. Today, University Hall is home to the College of Education, Health and Human Services, which includes the School of Education and the School of Nursing as well as departments in human development, kinesiology, public health, social work and speech-language pathology.
Markstein Hall
The name of the building, home to the College of Business Administration, honors the owners of the San Marcos-based Markstein Beverage Co., who recognized the importance of helping build a strong program for business students. Today, Markstein Hall is the central hub of business leadership in the region, offering signature programs such as the Center for Leadership Innovation and Mentorship Building, In the Executive’s Chair and Senior Experience, among others.
Epstein Family Veterans Center
SUSM has the highest percentage per capita of student veterans of any California State University campus and proudly serves more than 1,700 military-connected students. The original Veterans Center building was donated to CSUSM in 2014 by students at Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. An extensive renovation and expansion was completed in 2019, providing all of the resources our student veterans and their families need to achieve their academic and career goals.
Viasat Engineering Pavillion
An extensive renovation was completed in spring 2020, turning the former Foundation Classroom Building into a state-of-the-art home for the university’s electrical and software engineering programs. The pavilion is named in honor of the Carlsbad-based global communications company that provided a $1.5 million gift to become the founding partner of CSUSM’s engineering programs.
Science Hall
One of the three original buildings on campus, Science Hall 1 houses numerous labs, offices and classrooms. The entrance to the building is a popular destination for students, faculty and staff, who have been visiting the Campus Coffee cart for more than 15 years.
Academic Hall
One of the three original buildings on campus, Academic Hall was the first to provide lecture classroom and computer lab space, including a 145-seat, stadium-style lecture hall. Academic Hall features the campus’ landmark clock tower, which is also present on CSUSM’s campus logo. First-year students are frequent visitors to the building, which is home to many general education classes.
Founders Plaza
Be sure to check out Founders Seal, which commemorates the university’s 12 founding faculty members and reflects CSUSM’s commitment to diversity. Just be sure not to walk on the seal – campus legend suggests that students who dare to walk on it won’t graduate in four years.
(p.s. Be careful where you walk! Campus legend has it that whoever steps on the seal won’t graduate.)
University Store
Located in Commons (often referred to as “The Dome”), the University Store has everything you need to show off your Cougar spirit. This is where you’ll find branded merchandise, souvenirs, school supplies, computers, technological accessories and the bookstore.
(p.s. If you missed the store, you can view their shop online.)