History

Since CSUSM opened in 1989, a limited number of recreation and wellness facilities have been established.  Current facilities include: Mangrum Track & Field, Clarke Field House, Lower Field, Multi-purpose Field and Sports Center.  With our commitment to student success and social mobility as well as remain competitive to recruit and retain students, the campus has restarted important conversations paused during the pandemic about new and inclusive Wellness & Recreation Facilities.  At this time, CSUSM is one of the few CSU campuses without a comprehensive facility. 

Current Programs and Facilities

Currently, the Clarke Field House (CFH) serves as the only recreational facility for students. The recreational amenities include a single hoop half-court basketball court (Hunter Gym) and a Fitness Center (less than 4,000 square feet).  Limited access to the Sports Center is available to students (< 18 hours/week) and Aire Fitness Center (37.5/week) which are subject to change based on Athletics training or game schedules.  The Clarke Field House is managed by Athletics and Campus Recreation operates as a tenant within the building. Wellness initiatives are scattered across campus and sponsored by ASI Cougar Pantry, Cougar Care Network, Student Health and Counseling Center and Housing, to name a few.

Timeline & Benchmarks

• 1989
  Mangrum Track and Field was built as the first recreational facility at CSUSM. 
• 2003
  Clarke Field House / University Student Union opened its doors.  Campus Recreation programs were born under Associated Students, Inc. 
• 2006
  Lower Field was built.
• 2011
  Multipurpose Field was built.
• 2016
  Sports Center opens.
• 2017

  CFH & Fields oversight shifted to Athletics. CSUSM Athletics officially accepted to NCAA Division II. 

• Spring 2018

  ASI Office Space is repurposed as temporary pantry to store product and provide weekly distributions.

• Fall 2018

  Temporary location for ASI Cougar Pantry was established in USU, adjacent to the LGBQTA Pride Center.

• Spring 2019
  ASI BOD approves purchase of commercial van for food rescue efforts. 
• Spring 2019

  University President Haynes approves a workgroup to complete a feasibility study and survey students’ needs and wants for a Wellness and Recreation Facility.

  CSUSM President Haynes / ASI President Savanna Doudar

• April 2019

  Consultant hired to coordinate student engagement via email survey and focus groups.

• Fall 2019
  Two consulting firms hired to complete a Feasibility Study for a Wellness and Recreation Facility to include spaces for: a permanent home for the ASI Cougar Pantry, Cooking Demonstration Kitchen, Recreation spaces and studios, resting areas, multi-purpose spaces for educational workshops, Nutrition Trainings and CalFresh Enrollment.  Campus Rec funds were utilized to complete the Feasibility Study. ASI President Kenny Tran facilitated presentation representing student interests. 
• July 2019
  ASI received Basic Needs grant to support purchase and installation of Refrigerated lockers, for location in USU Commuter Lounge.
• December 2019
  Feasibility Report and presentation provided to University President Neufeldt and campus leadership.
• January 2020
  Associated Students, Inc. submitted a proposal and received funding to expand and remodel a bigger space for the ASI Cougar Pantry.  Assembly Bill 74 - Basic Needs Partnerships funding grant: $300,000 Remodel the ASI Cougar Pantry, $10,000 Assessment of the ASI Cougar Pantry.  The State of California Budget Act of 2019 (Assembly Bill 74) included $9 million to address food and housing insecurity at the California State University (CSU). The Associated Students, Inc. of CSUSM submitted a proposal and received funding to expand and remodel a bigger space for the ASI Cougar Pantry.
• March 2020

  COVID Pandemic Closes Campus.  Shift to virtual instruction and programming.

• December 2020
  ASI and CSUSM Project Team conducted planning and designs for expanded space for ASI Cougar Pantry in Commons Building.
• March 2021
  Refrigerated lockers installed in USU Commuter Lounge.
• July 2021
  Construction of expanded Pantry space in Commons 104 completed.
• November 2021
  ASI Cougar Pantry Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
• November 2022
  VP Student Affairs Viridiana Diaz and ASI President Julia Glorioso serve as co-champions for the Wellness & Recreation Facility Workgroup.
• January 2023
  Initial Workgroup meetings were held with recommendations to appoint consultant (Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.) and enhance organizational structure to Advisory Workgroup and Project Team.
• March 2023
  Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc. (B&D) hired for advisory services for Wellness & Recreation exploration.
• April/May 2023
  Stakeholder meetings and student forums held on campus to gather data to update 2019 feasibility and review project definition. 
• July 2023
  Final presentations led by B&D and ASI President Ernest Cisneros for Advisory Work Group and Campus Leadership. 
• August 2023
  B&D Final Report and Memo of Recommendations provided to Vice President of Student Affairs Viridiana Diaz and Advisory Work Group.
• Fall 2023
  Exploration of Private-Public Partnership options and campus engagement processes.