California State University Northridge officials have announced plans to break ground early next year on a new $30.1 million housing complex, which is scheduled to be built on a 2.8-acre site between CSUN’s main housing for single students, University Park Apartments and the university’s outdoor track. The groundbreaking is scheduled for January 2008. The construction site will be fenced off after finals in December 2007, at which time it will be cleared of concrete, light poles and other obstructions. When completed, two buildings will provide living space for 396 students beginning in fall 2009. A third building—a nearly 6,000 square foot "common program" building—will include a recreation room, classroom, multi-purpose room, storage space, office and a reception and security desk, from which all students and guests will be visible when they enter or leave. Tall walls with gates that will be locked at night also will enhance student safety, and the parking needs of complex residents will be met by maximizing use of a parking structure west of Zelzah, south of Lassen.

Instead of containing stand-alone apartments, the new CSUN residence halls will be divided into clusters of 32 students, who will live two to a bedroom with shared living/meeting rooms, study rooms and semi-private bathrooms. Unlike traditional dormitories with rooms lining long corridors, CSUN’s smaller-scaled student housing will encourage a greater sense of community. Kitchens will not be included; students will be required to take a meal plan, increasing their involvement in the CSUN community. The cluster housing—suggested by architect AC Martin Partners, Inc. and based on a similar style at Babson College near Boston—specifically addresses the developmental needs of first-year students, the segment of the enrollment that benefits most from living on campus.