Project Details
Proposed Plan
The University Student Union (USU) is proposing a renovation and expansion project that will include the construction of a new 79,800 square foot facility and 49,900 square feet of renovated space. The new facility will include increased lounge and study spaces, outdoor shaded seating, enhanced food options, event and meeting spaces, entertainment & gaming spaces and a center for unity in race, intersectionality, social and environmental justice. The renovation will include updating USU indoor and outdoor areas, meeting rooms, lounge and study spaces, and will enhance the student experience by centralizing student services and improving clubs and organizations’ spaces. This new heart of the campus will have a positive impact on student success and enhance the quality of life on campus for students.
Concept only — project design subject to change.
Projected Costs
The increased fee will not take effect until the year the building is expected to be open and operational. It is anticipated that the facility will be open for use in 2022–2023. The fee would increase $125 per semester beginning in the fall of 2022. During the summer months, students are assessed 60% of the prior spring USU fee. The fee increase noted above is in addition to the projected 2022–2023 USU fee of $316.00 per semester for fall and spring and $190.00 for the summer.
Beginning in 2023–2024, the USU fee will be increased $3.00 annually each fall semester to address inflation, with the resulting 60% calculation applied to summer.
Actual project timeline and projected date of completion are subject to change.
Projected Fee Increase
Before the collection of any new student fee dollars for the project, all projected costs take into account an upfront contribution amount of $24 million by the USU. The contribution amount is intended to lessen the overall cost impact and fee burden to students. The total cost of the project is $130 million prior to the $24 million contribution amount by the USU. The fee increases noted below are in addition to the projected 2022–2023 USU fee of $316.00 per semester for fall and spring and $190.00 for the summer.
| Summer Fee | Fall Fee | Spring Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–2023 | N/A | $125 | $125 |
| 2023–2024 | $75 | $128 | $128 |
| 2024–2025 | $77 | $131 | $131 |
The fee of $125.00 will begin in the academic year of 2022–2023. It’s anticipated that the facility will be open for use in 2022–2023.
Beginning in 2023–2024, the fee will be increased by $3.00 annually each fall semester to address inflation, with the resulting 60% calculation applied to summer.
Monetary Impact Analysis
| 2017/18 Final |
2018/19 Projected |
2019/20 Projected |
2020/21 Projected |
2021/22 Projected |
2022/23 Projected |
2023/24 Projected |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues & Sources of Funds | |||||||
| Student Fees1 | 21,842,408 | 21,933,721 | 22,419,146 | 23,332,075 | 23,741,245 | 33,118,249 | 34,272,913 |
| Interest Income | 200,581 | 128,584 | 124,597 | 127,713 | 103,478 | 49,065 | 53,499 |
| Other Revenue | 655,238 | 632,176 | 632,176 | 632,176 | 632,176 | 632,176 | 632,176 |
| Transfers In | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9,000,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bond Fund Proceeds2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 106,081,319 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Revenues & Sources | 22,698,227 | 22,694,481 | 23,175,919 | 33,091,964 | 130,558,218 | 33,869,490 | 34,958,588 |
| Less Expenditures & Uses of Funds | |||||||
| Bond Payments3 | 5,240,208 | 5,241,583 | 5,232,208 | 5,242,708 | 5,251,208 | 5,231,858 | 12,077,380 |
| Operating Expenditures | 14,332,669 | 14,784,884 | 15,563,411 | 16,128,016 | 16,507,977 | 19,229,750 | 19,658,194 |
| USU Contribution to Construction-Related Costs4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12,000,000 | 6,000,000 | 6,000,000 | 0 |
| Bond Fund Construction-Related Costs5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53,040,660 | 53,040,660 | 0 |
| Other6 | 2,027,224 | 3,066,745 | 2,068,747 | 2,144,661 | 2,159,066 | 2,964,456 | 2,577,376 |
| Total Expenditures & Uses of Funds | 21,600,101 | 23,093,212 | 22,864,366 | 35,515,385 | 82,958,911 | 86,466,724 | 34,312,950 |
| Net Changes in Fund Balance | 1,098,126 | -398,731 | 311,553 | -2,423,422 | 47,599,307 | -52,597,234 | 645,638 |
| Beginning Fund Balance | 11,760,311 | 12,858,437 | 12,459,705 | 12,771,258 | 10,347,836 | 57,947,143 | 5,349,909 |
| Ending Fund Balance | 12,858,437 | 12,459,705 | 12,771,258 | 10,347,836 | 57,947,143 | 5,349,909 | 5,995,547 |
| Fall/Spring Fee (without the Renovation) | $316 | $321 | |||||
| Summer Fee (without the Renovation) | $187 | $190 | |||||
| Fall/Spring Fee (with the Renovation) | $125 | $128 | |||||
| Summer Fee (with the Renovation) | $0 | $75 | |||||
| Total Student Fees | $628 | $714 | |||||
1 Student fee revenue is based on estimated student headcount.
2 The net proceeds from the bond issue that is available for the Renovation project.
3 The bond payment for the renovation Project begins in 2023/24.
4 The USU ’s financial contribution to the Renovation project.
5 The entire bond proceeds of $106.1 million is expected in 24 months.
6 Expenses for major repairs and replacement, equipment replacement and overhead expenses.
Voting Information
Referendum Dates
On May 1 & 2, 2019, all CSUN students will have the chance to participate in a campus-wide voting process called a referendum. The referendum is intended to be an open and transparent process that allows CSUN students the opportunity to make an informed decision regarding the expansion and renovation of the USU and the student fee increase to fund the project.
Polling Times
Three on-campus polling locations open from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, and Thursday, May 2. Online Elections will also be available from 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1 until 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 2. Check your CSUN email to cast your vote or visit a CSUN Campus Voting Poll Station.
Polling Locations
- Sierra Lawn
- Arbor Grill
- CSUN Campus Store Lawn
Solicited Statements*
- Pro
“Having these comfortable improvements in the USU would appeal to students like me, giving us a better home away from home to study and relax.” - Con
“Please do not allow our tuition to be increased to pay for this project. Find the funds elsewhere, like from donations to CSUN or managing the money that CSUN already has.” - Pro
“I believe it would be a great resource for many students who are looking to be a part of CSUNs social community. Great opportunities for students to get more information about great events that are happening around campus and off.” - Con
“The increase of fees to fix would be unfair to those who cannot use those resources and only benefit those who have access to the campus regularly. - Pro
“I believe that the USU has the potential to be the meeting place for all students of CSUN. A place to not pass through but a place that students will actively seek out in order to enjoy its amenities and liveliness. My greatest hope for the new USU is that future students will feel comfortable reaching out to each other and make new connections or seek new activities. I hope that the USU will also provide much needed eating, relaxing and studying space.” - Con
“I think it’s nice but if the fees go up I am actually fine with just leaving it the same because honestly I feel tuition already puts a lot of stress on many students. I am sure many would agree leaving it the same if fees were to go up.” - Pro
“I'm highly in favor of most of the proposal though I hope that the outdoor seating space doesn't come at the expense of expanded study spaces and lounge areas, which would add much more value to the Union. The USU is also desperately in need of a Cross-Cultural Center; I'm thrilled that it's a possibility, and hope one makes it into the final plans.” - Con
“I enjoy the improvement concept very much; it is a great idea to get students to feel more comfortable and have more fun. The only problem for me is that the location of the USU is far to the [other] side of the campus.
*The solicited statements are direct quotes from the web-based survey conducted by the consulting firm of Brailsford & Dunlavey, 2018.
Referendum Language
The University Student Union (USU) proposed fee increase would be as follows:
| Summer Fee | Fall Fee | Spring Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–2023 | N/A | $125 | $125 |
| 2023–2024 | $75 | $128 | $128 |
| 2024–2025 | $77 | $131 | $131 |
This referendum allows for the USU fee to be increased by the amounts listed above supporting the building and operation of a new 79,800 square foot facility and 49,900 square feet of renovated space. The new facility will include increased lounge and study spaces, outdoor shaded seating, enhanced food options, event and meeting spaces, entertainment & gaming spaces and a center for unity in race, intersectionality, social and environmental justice.
The renovation will include updating USU indoor and outdoor areas, meeting rooms and lounge and study spaces, and will enhance the student experience by centralizing student services and improving clubs and organizations’ spaces. The increased fee of $125 per semester will not take effect until the academic year the building is open and operational. It is anticipated that the facility will be open for use in 2022–2023 academic year.
Beginning in 2023–2024, the USU fee will be increased $3.00 annually each fall semester to address inflation, with the resulting 60% calculation applied to summer.
The fee increases noted above are in addition to the projected 2022–23 USU fee of $316.00 per semester for fall and spring and $190.00 for the summer. The current USU fee includes the operation for the USU, SRC, Oasis, Pride and Veterans Resource Centers, Games Room, Computer Lab, Meeting Spaces and other associated programs and services.
Please check one of the following:
YES — A “yes” vote indicates your approval of a USU fee increase to build and operate a new USU building and renovate existing USU facilities with 60% of the fee assessed for the summer, along with an annual $3.00 fee adjustment to address inflation and to maintain USU operations and services as outlined above.
NO — A “no” vote indicates your disapproval of a USU fee increase to build and operate a new USU building and renovate existing USU facilities with 60% of the fee assessed for the summer, along with an annual $3.00 fee adjustment to address inflation and maintain USU operations and services as outlined above.
