Megan Allison applied to California State University, Channel Islands, hoping to be part of the university's first freshman class. She got accepted, and then she and her family got a shock: The new university has no housing for students on its campus.

"It was a big surprise," said Megan's mom, Heidi, who traveled with her daughter from their home in Yucaipa to attend an orientation at CSUCI.

CSUCI officials hope to eliminate that surprise for future students. Tuesday they held a groundbreaking ceremony for the university's first student housing complex, with room for about 350 students. The facility should be ready for move-in a year from now.

The Allisons joined about 200 others, including students, parents, faculty, staff and community supporters, to celebrate the future building and mark another milestone for school.

"A year from now, students from anywhere in the state who want to attend this campus will no longer be disappointed because they can't afford the high price of housing in Ventura County," said Debra Farar, chairwoman of the CSU Board of Trustees.

The first residence hall -- school officials no longer use the term dorm -- will be built on the southwest corner of the campus near the Potrero Road entrance. The $20 million project was designed to blend in with the univeristy's existing Spanish-mission style architecture.

The 93-apartment complex features three, three-story buildings and a recreation room, swimming pool and spa. Each apartment features four individual bedrooms with two baths, a common living area and kitchenette.

"It's for the students that we're building our buildings," said Gregory Sawyer, vice president for student affairs. "The housing is just buildings. The students will make it a home."

Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson said she was delighted to see the housing project get under way, and hoped it would help build a sense of community on campus

"This is the newest university, the first four-year university (to open) in this millennium," she said. "Over the past 15 years we've built way too many prisons and not enough universities."

Money to build the first residence hall will come from a CSU systemwide bond program for student housing. The bonds will be repaid from the fees collected from students who live there. Those fees have not been set, university spokeswoman Peggy Hinz said.

Heidi Allison suspects the campus housing will be cheaper than the $1,200 per month she's paying for her daughter's apartment in Camarillo. She also hopes she can persuade Megan to move into the campus housing next year.

"I don't know if she'll want to join the dorm after living on her own. I'd certainly like her to," Heidi said. But Megan said she'd be willing to give it a try.

"I probably will," the 18-year-old business major said. "They look nice."