Columbus State University’s fall 2015 semester starts Monday with more than 8,000 students again beginning classes on the university’s main and RiverPark campuses.

By the end of the weekend, about 1,300 students will have moved into on-campus housing, and several major projects will have been completed for their use.

CSU students will find a brand-new cafeteria in the Davidson Student Center. CSU’s dining partner, Aramark, funded a $2.7 million renovation to provide not only updated features and increased capacity, but new dining options, including enclosed patio seating, all-new kitchen equipment, a smoker, double-decker pizza oven and a Mongolian grill.

One of the oldest classroom buildings on campus, Howard Hall, opens again after a yearlong $4 million renovation while neighboring Arnold Hall closes in preparation for a similar makeover. State appropriations funded both projects.

Work will continue throughout fall semester on a new 539-bed first-year housing complex on main campus and a new downtown home for the College of Education and Health Professions. Each project is estimated to cost about $25 million.

In addition to the various renovations taking place across campus, the university has a series of events planned to welcome back students, orient them with campus life and help them connect with each other, the community and CSU faculty and staff.

Upcoming highlights:

· Monday, Aug. 17 (First Day of Classes) –  RiverPark Picnic @ Woodruff Park, 5- 10 p.m.;

· Wednesday, Aug. 19 – Main Campus Picnic and Student Organizations Fair. Clock tower, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.;

· Thursday, Aug. 20 – Freshman Convocation, the formal, ceremonial welcome-back ceremony featuring CSU President Chris Markwood. University Hall Auditorium, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.;

· Thursday, Aug. 20 – Campus Bike Ride and Color Party downtown at Woodruff Park. (Riders meet on the Lumpkin Center lawn), 4:30- 8:30 p.m.; and

· Saturday, Aug. 22 – CSU Day of Service where students and employees fan out through the community to help on various projects. Volunteers meet at the Mock Pavilion (Intramural Field), 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Visit https://students.columbusstate.edu/cougarkickoff/index.php for a full list of student welcome-back activities.