SAN MARCOS - At first glance, the new 460-bed housing complex at Cal State San Marcos, looks like lots of other college dorms.

But it's much more, university officials say.

The three-story University Village apartments represents a milestone in turning the school from a strictly commuter to a residential campus. For the first time, undergraduates will live on campus around the clock, congregate in the new student union/field house and soak up the university experience.

Cal State officials say the housing allows San Marcos to attract a more diverse student body, beyond those who commute from San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial counties and create a richer, more dynamic campus.

"This is a big deal," said Jonathan Poullard, associate vice president for student affairs. "It's a marker in our growth and development and it's been a long time coming. This is an exciting time for us."

Cost of an apartment ranges from $5,150 to $7,140 per year.

The $27.9 million apartment complex, along with the $7.9 million student union and field house, represent the latest pieces of a building binge at San Marcos.

A 133,000-square-foot science and technology building opened a year ago and a 200,000-square-foot library is expected to open by January. Poullard said the university plans to expand campus housing to 1,000 students within three years.

About one in eight of San Marcos' 7,600 students calls the Inland Empire home. But college officials did not have figures about how many are living on campus this semester.

Students moved in Saturday, toting computers and clothing, skateboards and guitars, bedding and brooms and TV-VCR-DVD combos.

For Vanessa Alexander, 17, of Norco the day was bittersweet. She looked forward to college life but moving away from home was no fun. Her parents, Jeff and Monique Alexander, accompanied her for moral support.

"It's kind of scary," Vanessa said as tears fell down her cheeks. "I don't know if I'm ready but I guess I have to be."

Her father predicted she would make the adjustment just fine.

"I have every confidence in her," said Jeff Alexander, 35.

Everywhere on Saturday, student milled around the hallways and common areas, getting acquainted with roommates and scoping out the scenery.

"Everything's clean and new, like a new house," said Patrick Fleege, 18, a Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon High School graduate. He was San Marcos-bound to study, play golf and enroll in the Air Force Reserved Officer Training Corps program. He is planning to try out for the school's golf team.

"I bet there are a lot of students who graduated who are envious," Fleege said. "Of course there's a little bit of nervousness, but I'm a lot more excited."

Defining moment

Fleege, a resident of Canyon Lake in southwest Riverside County who plans to major in mechanical engineering, said he's looking forward to lifting weights in the newly opened field house, which is 30 seconds from his dorm. He plans to spend time at the nearby beach and will be on the road some, too, playing golf tournaments in California.

He's already got some of his elective classes scheduled.

"It's a defining moment for me to live on my own," he said. "I'm looking forward to the freedom."

Blythe resident Jessica DeShazo, a 2003 graduate of Palo Verde High School, didn't hide her enthusiasm for her new digs.

"I'm so ready to be here," said DeShazo, 18, who is planning to major in liberal studies. "It's kind of like being a pioneer. I would not consider a school unless there was a place to live on campus."

University officials say one-third of the incoming freshman class of roughly 900 will take up residence in the two and four-bedroom units. The rest of the dorm residents will be upper-classmen.

Living in style

Bridget Blanshan, director of the university's residential and student life services, points out that the apartments are "not like your grandfather's dormitory."

Each unit has at least 1,000 square feet of living space, private baths instead of communal showers, full kitchens instead of hot plates and furnished living areas.

There's even a full-time professor living the dorm life to help students survive rocky times. Scott Greenwood, a political science instructor, said he will hold informal office hours in the common areas to discuss topics ranging from effective test-taking to how to write a better term paper.

"It's very energizing being around young people, because they're so enthusiastic and idealistic," he said.

But dorm traditions survive.

There are study areas on every floor as well as lounges and game rooms and student "resident assistants." Larger conference rooms will give instructors the chance to lead study groups after hours and serve as community and lecture rooms.

Hemet High graduate Brandon Carlson, 18, said living on campus means he's got more time to indulge his acting passion. He performed in high school productions of "Les Miserables," "Alice in Wonderland," "The Crucible" and "Winnie the Pooh." Carlson, who is studying psychology, also looks forward to barbecues in the common areas with his roommates and shooting baskets in the field house.

He was getting into the swing of college life as he moved in.

"The entire atmosphere at San Marcos is great and the dorms add to it," he said. "They're their own community."

New Campus Housing
A new student apartment complex opened this semester at Cal State San Marcos.

Size: 460 beds .

Amenities: Private baths, kitchens, living areas. Each unit is at least 1,000- square feet.

Cost: $5,150 to $7,410 per year.