Class Back in Session at SDSU

San Diego State University's spring semester got underway today with a series of events scheduled at the new Aztec Student Union.

The 206,000-square-foot building replaces Aztec Center, which was demolished three years ago to make way for the project.

The $104 million student union, which was funded by student fees, houses restaurants like Chipotle, Oggi's Pizza Express, Starbucks and The Habit; a bowling alley; a 300-seat theater, ballroom and meeting rooms; and student government offices.

"This student union will be the center of campus life for decades to come," said SDSU President Elliot Hirshman, who made remarks along with Associated Students President Josh Morse at the building's Lee and Frank Goldberg Courtyard to welcome students back for the semester.

The first of what will be weekly concerts was set to begin at noon, and a block party called "Up All Night" was scheduled for 6 p.m.

The official ribbon-cutting is scheduled for March 7.

Cal State San Marcos, which opened the spring semester Tuesday, also opened a new student union. The 89,000-square-foot, four-story building includes a 400-seat outdoor amphitheater, an activity center with a game lounge, six eateries, a 3,000-square-foot green roof with outdoor seating areas, and a 9,000-square-foot ballroom.

–City News Service