What is New at SDSU this Spring

From students getting a first look at the new Aztec Student Union to pop-up musical performance across campus — San Diego State University will welcome back Aztecs with an array of changes when school begins on Jan. 22.

Here are some of the top new things on campus this spring:

1) Aztec Student Union: With activities set for Jan.22-31, Associated Students will welcome home SDSU students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community to the 206,000 square-foot “campus living room,” which is nearly complete. Features of the Union include LEED Platinum design and sustainable living, dining, retail space, lounges, meeting rooms, a multi-purpose ballroom, 300-seat theatre, outdoor courtyards, recreation activities and entertainment. The Grand Dedication Week and opening of the building will be March 3 through 8 featuring daily themed celebrations.

2) Storm and Nasatir Halls: The Storm Nasatir Building Complex is open with new and upgraded classrooms, academic and research laboratories and faculty offices. Renovations to the existing 137,700 square-foot building offer upgraded program space for eight academic departments from the College of Arts and Letters. There are also two new lecture halls and a small food service facility/convenience store.

3) Parking and Traffic: The Aztec Student Union is open, but parking areas surrounding the complex are not available yet. Aztec Circle Drive will open early in the spring semester. The W Lot near Storm and Nasatir Hall Building Complex will still be closed. Parking near the classrooms in G Lot will still be designated as low emission parking. Parking Services has more tips for parking and traffic during the first few days of classes.

4) Arts Visibility Initiative: SDSU is launching a new campus arts visibility initiative which aims to increase student, faculty and staff awareness of arts events and opportunities at the university. With the installation of 18 benches designed and painted by students, to pop-up performances in the library dome and at the weekly farmer’s markets, students and visitors will be getting a glimpse of the arts where they least expect it.

5) LGBT Pride Center: SDSU’s new Pride Center, a resource service center for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex community and its allies will open its doors. The center is part of SDSU’s strategic plan under the initiative to “promote student success across the university.” Anthony Keen, a former residence hall coordinator, was chosen as the coordinator for the center, which will offer programs, events, resources, support and services and will work with other existing LGBTQ-related campus organizations.

6) Aztec Recreation Center Express and Aztec Lanes: Beginning Jan. 22, the Aztec Recreation Center Express and Aztec Lanes will be open inside SDSU’s new Aztec Student Union. The 6,000 square-foot ARC Express will feature a wide variety of the industry’s finest fitness equipment. Aztec Lanes is SDSU's new bowling and games center complete with a gaming lounge, five professional-grade billiard tables, two professional-grade table tennis tables and eight big-screen TVs.

7) Capturing the Moment at Aztec Sporting Events: There’s nothing like seeing yourself on the jumbotron at sporting events! Ever wonder what you look like in those moments of extreme excitement or disbelief? Thanks to a partnership with FanPics, SDSU fans will now be able to capture and share photos of themselves taken during games at Viejas Arena. The new fan experience technology will launch at the Jan. 18 men’s basketball game against UNLV.

8) Aztec Dining: There will be several new dining options opening at SDSU this semester. The University Towers Kitchen, located on the corner of Montezuma and 55th, is open for business offering naturally prepared fresh food, comfort food choices and trend setting culinary creations. Other dining options coming soon to the Aztec Student Union: Starbucks, The Habit Burger Grill, Chipotle, Oggi's Pizza and Brewing Company, and an expanded Aztec Market with a Shake Smart kiosk. Students can also look forward to Subway opening in East Commons this spring.

9) SDSU Goes Smoke and Tobacco-Free: As of Jan. 1, as recommended by the University Senate, SDSU is a fully smoke-and tobacco-free campus. There are no longer areas on campus designated as smoking locations and signage has been installed across campus reflecting that SDSU is now smoke-free. It is the expectation that the SDSU community will come together and practice “social enforcement.” People wishing to address their own personal smoking habits can find information on health and safety related to smoking, as well as cessation programs on the SDSU smoking policy website.

10) SDSU Bookstore: SDSU Bookstore will continue offering its Price Match Pledge to students — the store will match textbook prices from KB Books, Amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com. Get the latest official SDSU hoops and athletic gear from Nike, Under Armour, and others at the Bookstore as well offers on the latest tablets, PCs and desktops from Apple, Kindle and Samsung through aztecnology. All smart phones are $50 off with Verizon upgrade/activation year-round and the Back to Mac Sale has select MacBook Pros that are $75 to $100 off and legacy iPads up to 20 percent off through Jan. 31.