Residence Life Village Expansion Inaugurated

Campus residents at CSU Stanislaus have a lot more friends this semester. The University recently opened the second expansion of its on-campus housing complex that has dramatically increased the campus population.

President Hughes officiated at the August 27 ribbon-cutting program for Village III, which took place in its new dining hall.

The $16.3 million project features 75 new units with four-bedroom apartments on the east side of the existing complex. Phase III accommodates 296 residents, increasing the Village Residential Life facility's occupancy capacity from 352 to 648. The Residential Life Village complex had 555 occupants at the start of fall semester classes.

"The increase in campus residents creates a vibrant campus culture that enhances student success," said Vice President for Student Affairs Stacey L. Morgan-Foster.

The expansion includes a 200-seat dining/kitchen facility, meeting rooms, a second swimming pool, sand volleyball court, and basketball court. Village residents currently eat in the University's main dining hall.

New student residents arrived at the Village for the traditional move-in day on August 28. Student Colin Tedards said, "I like the basketball court, the kitchen is nice, too."

"At the ribbon-cutting, Turlock Mayor Curt Andre said it reminded him of a "country club setting."

Village III features the Faculty in Residence Program, which focuses on providing an increased academic focus to residential living. Stephen Kuehn of the Geology Department and his wife, Victoria Hansel-Kuehn, were selected as part of a competitive process to occupy a two-bedroom apartment in the complex to promote out-of-classroom connections to faculty. Release time and room-and- board are provided as part of the program, which is governed by a faculty and staff committee.