The College of Southern Nevada has opened three new student union buildings — one for each of its campuses.

The Las Vegas Review Journal reports that the construction — on the college's Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson campuses — cost about $81 million. 

“It’s like a hub for students,” says Brian Akins, director of student life and leadership development at the college. “We wanted to have that on our campus.”

It’s a place where students can eat, study and hang out with friends, says Summer Shams, a 19-year-old student on the Henderson campus. “It’s everything that a student would need.”

The college contributed $7 million from its general improvement fund toward constructing the buildings.

The bulk of the money for the project comes from an $8-per-credit student registration fee that went into effect in fall 2017. For full-time students taking 15 or more credits, that totals about $120 per semester.

Other sources of funding for the project: a $3-per-credit fee for summer classes, and a $1-per-credit-hour fee to support the continued operation and maintenance of the new buildings.

The student union buildings — which span 28,887 square feet — have identical floor plans and include a “ Coyote Cupboard” food pantry to help students who are food-insecure, Akins says.

Other features: private study rooms; student government offices; ballrooms that can be used for programs, activities and meetings; a multicultural center; dining facility and coffee shop.

In North Las Vegas, the student union was named the Tyrone Thompson Student Union during a dedication ceremony in November. Thompson, a 51-year-old state lawmaker from North Las Vegas, died May 4 in Carson City after a sudden illness.