California State University, Long BeachStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for California State University, Long Beach. Free for students.

Public Research University in Long Beach, CA. Operating on a semester system.

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39K+

Total Enrollment

Research University

Institution Type

31

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Summer Sessions 2026

The semester, explained for California State University, Long Beach

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Summer Sessions 2026
Campus terms
61
Local details
57

Academic calendar

Summer Sessions 2026 runs May 26, 2026 – Aug 14, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

4 entries
  1. Summer Sessions 2026Relevant now
  2. Fall Quarter 2026
  3. Winter Intersession 2026-2027
  4. Spring Quarter 2027

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

61 terms

4

49ers
An informal nickname referencing the school's founding year (1949), still used by many alumni.

A

ASI
Associated Students, Inc., the student-run government and non-profit organization that manages many campus services.

B

Beach Hut
A quick-service smoothie and snack location found near the SRWC and residential areas.
Beachside
The off-campus residential housing located on Pacific Coast Highway, distinct from the main campus dorms.
Beachside
The dining hall located at the off-campus Beachside Village residential site.
Beachside Dining
The residential dining hall serving students living in Beachside Village.
BeachSync
The official online portal used by students to join clubs and track campus involvement.
BMAC
Bob Murphy Access Center, the office responsible for providing disability-related services and accommodations.

C

Caffeine Lab
The coffee shop located on the first floor of the University Library.
CAPS
Counseling and Psychological Services, providing mental health support and clinical services to students.
CHillside
CHillside Café, the dining facility serving the Hillside residential community.
Corner Market
Small convenience stores located within the residential commons for quick snacks.

D

Dirtbags
The official nickname for the CSULB baseball team, reflecting a gritty and hard-working style of play.

E

Elbee
The official shark mascot of CSULB, named after the 'L.B.' in Long Beach.
EOP
Educational Opportunity Program, providing support services for historically low-income or first-generation students.

G

Go Beach
The universal campus rally cry and greeting used by students, alumni, and staff.

H

H-side
Hillside Commons, the residential village located on the upper end of campus near the 7th Street entrance.
Hillside
The residential village located on the east side of campus, known for its proximity to the Student Recreation & Wellness Center.
Hillside
The Hillside Dining Hall, located near the Hillside Village dorms.
Hillside Dining
The main residential dining hall for students living in the Hillside village.

I

IPCDC
Isabel Patterson Child Development Center, the on-campus childcare facility for student-parents.

L

Los Al
Short for Los Alamitos Hall, a specific residence hall within Hillside Village.
Los Cer
Short for Los Cerritos Hall, a specific residence hall within Hillside Village.
Lower Campus
The flatter, lower-elevation portion of campus containing the Science, Engineering, and Athletic facilities.

P

P-North
Parkside North, the newest and most modern residential building within the Parkside area.
P-side
Parkside Commons, the residential village located on the lower end of campus.
Parkside
The residential village located on the north side of campus, often housing first-year students.
Parkside
The Parkside Dining Hall, often considered by students to have the best food on campus.
Parkside Dining
One of the two main residential dining halls, serving students living in the Parkside village.
Parkside North
The newest residential building within the Parkside village, often referred to specifically for its modern amenities.
Prospector Pete
The former mascot of the university; though officially retired, the name is still frequently referenced in campus history and traditions.
PSN
Parkside North, the newest residential building within the Parkside Village complex.
Puvungna
The sacred indigenous land located on campus, often a site of cultural significance and student activism.

S

SLD
Student Life and Development, the office that oversees student organizations and campus involvement.
SOAR
Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration, the program for incoming new students.
Squeeze Me
A popular juice and smoothie bar located within the University Student Union.
SRWC
Student Recreation & Wellness Center, the massive campus gym and fitness facility.

T

The Arts
Parkside Arts & Letters, a specific residential building within the Parkside Village.
The Beach
The official nickname and identity of the university and its athletic teams.
The Beach Hut
A quick-service food spot located near the University Library.
The Caffeine
Caffeine High, a popular coffee kiosk located near the library.
The Caffeine High
A coffee shop located within the University Student Union (USU).
The Caffeine Lab
The coffee shop located on the first floor of the University Library.
The Chartroom
A more formal sit-down dining room on campus often used by faculty, staff, and students for special lunches.
The Corner
The Corner Market, a convenience store located within the University Student Union for snacks and supplies.
The Corner Market
A convenience store located within the University Student Union (USU).
The Escalators
The primary mechanical stairs used to travel between the upper and lower campus levels.
The Gap
A specific walkway or area on campus that students traditionally walk through as part of campus life.
The Hill
The steep incline and stairs connecting the upper and lower sections of campus.
The Hill
A common student shorthand for the Hillside residential community.
The Hut
Beach Hut, a quick-service convenience and food spot located near the library.
The Nugget
The Nugget Grill & Pub, a popular campus eatery and social hub located near the University Student Union.
The Outpost
A dining location on the upper campus providing quick meals and coffee for students in the Liberal Arts area.
The Ramp
The steep incline and walkway connecting the lower campus (near the gym/dorms) to the upper campus academic buildings.
The Stairs
The steep concrete stairs connecting the lower and upper campus, often cited as a daily workout for students.
The Suites
Common student shorthand for the newer, suite-style rooms in Parkside North.
The USU
The University Student Union food court, housing various fast-food chains.
The Village
A collective term used by residents to refer to their specific housing community (e.g., Parkside Village).

U

Upper Campus
The elevated portion of campus, primarily containing the Liberal Arts buildings and Brotman Hall.
USU
University Student Union, the central hub for student life, organizations, and the food court.

W

WallstrEAT
The dining area located within the College of Business (COB) courtyard.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

57 details
AS
Academic Senate or the Art Store, depending on context, but often refers to the Art buildings.
Beach Balance
Pre-paid funds loaded onto a student ID for use at campus printers and dining locations.
Beach Shuttle
The free campus shuttle system that transports students between upper campus, lower campus, and Beachside housing.
BeachAlert
The emergency notification system that sends texts and emails regarding campus safety.
BeachBoard
The legacy name for the campus learning management system; while transitioning to Canvas, many still use this term for the portal.
BeachGO
A mobile app used by students to find transit routes to campus and earn rewards for using public transportation.
BeachID
The official university identification card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
BeachPASS
A subsidized transit program allowing students to use Long Beach Transit buses at a reduced rate.
Beachside Shuttle
The specific shuttle route that transports residents between the off-campus Beachside dorms and the main campus.
beachside_dining_hall
Beachside Dining Hall
BeachSync
The online portal used by students to join clubs, track involvement, and find campus events.
BH
Brotman Hall, the main administrative building where students go for admissions, financial aid, and records.
Brotman Hall
The main administrative building (BH) where admissions, financial aid, and the registrar are located.
Canvas
The Learning Management System used for all course materials and online assignments.
CBA
College of Business Administration building.
COB
The College of Business building located on the upper campus.
CPAC
Carpenter Performing Arts Center, the large professional theater on the edge of campus.
CPACE
College of Professional and Continuing Education building.
D1/D2/D3
Commonly used shorthand for specific student parking lots located on the campus perimeter.
D1TA
Day 1 Textbook Access; a program that provides students with digital versions of their required textbooks on the first day of class for a flat fee.
Daily 49er
The student-run newspaper that serves as the primary source for campus news.
ECS
Engineering and Computer Science building.
Future U
The official name for the multi-year project to renovate and expand the University Student Union.
G-Lot
General parking lots designated for students holding a standard semester parking permit.
G-Lots
General parking lots designated for students with standard parking permits.
Go Beach Pass
A discounted transit program providing students with bus rides via Long Beach Transit.
GWAR
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement, a mandatory writing proficiency exam or course sequence required for all undergraduates.
hillside_dining_hall
Hillside Dining Hall
HSCI
The Hall of Science, a primary building for natural science lectures and labs.
LA
Liberal Arts buildings (LA1 through LA5), a cluster of buildings housing humanities and social science classes.
LA-5
Liberal Arts 5, one of the largest and most frequently used classroom buildings on the upper campus.
LA1 through LA5
The Liberal Arts buildings, a cluster of five buildings where many general education classes are held.
LA1-5
The Liberal Arts buildings, a series of numbered structures (LA1 through LA5) that house the majority of humanities classes.
LA1-LA5
The Liberal Arts buildings, a series of numbered buildings housing humanities and social science classes.
LA5
Liberal Arts 5, a major classroom building frequently used for general education and humanities courses.
LBT
Long Beach Transit, the city bus system which students often use via a discounted pass.
Lower Campus
The flat portion of campus containing the Walter Pyramid, athletics facilities, and dorms.
MLSC
Molecular and Life Sciences Center, a major facility for science and research labs.
MyCSULB
The online student portal used for class registration, checking grades, and managing financial aid.
parkside_dining_hall
Parkside Dining Hall
PassioGO
The real-time tracking app used to monitor the location and arrival times of the free campus shuttles.
PH1
Peterson Hall 1; a central academic building that currently houses many student services relocated during USU construction.
PYR
The Pyramid (or Walter Pyramid), the iconic blue-clad athletic arena that serves as the home for Beach Athletics.
SOAR
Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration; the mandatory program for incoming students.
SSO
Single Sign-On, the web portal students use to access all campus apps like email, Canvas, and MyCSULB.
TAP
The transit pass program that allows students to use Long Beach Transit buses for free or at a discounted rate using their student ID.
TAP card
The transit pass provided or subsidized for students to use the Long Beach Transit bus system for free.
The Hill
The steep physical incline between lower and upper campus that students must walk or take a shuttle to traverse.
The Horn
The Horn Center, which houses a large computer lab, the University Art Museum, and advising centers.
The Horn Center
A major student success hub containing a large computer lab and advising offices.
The Library
University Library (formerly University Library East and West), the main research and study building.
The Pyramid
The Walter Pyramid, the iconic blue pyramid-shaped sports arena and campus landmark.
The Shuttle
The campus bus system that runs loops between the residential villages, parking lots, and main campus hubs.
U-Pass
The student transit program that allows for reduced-fare bus travel using a student ID.
Upper Campus
The elevated portion of campus containing the library, Brotman Hall, and most liberal arts buildings.
USU
The University Student Union building, often used as a landmark for the center of lower campus.
VEC
Vivian Engineering Center, the primary building for the College of Engineering.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Summer Sessions 2026 runs May 26, 2026 – Aug 14, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
61 approved campus terms and 57 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · California State University, Long Beach

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  • Jul 1

    Housing License Agreement and First Payment Due

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    Immunization Records Upload Deadline

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    Mandatory SOAR Orientation Completion

    Required · source

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Get to know your university

Assisted

Find a few communities to try at California State University, Long Beach

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

23 mapped items from 9 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Worth a look

American Marketing Association

Provides students with professional development, networking opportunities, and hands-on experience in the marketing field.

Archery Club

A competitive and recreational club for students interested in the sport of archery.

Open to all

Delta Gamma

A Panhellenic sorority focused on friendship, educational and cultural interests, social responsibility, and character.

Regular commitment

Source: csulb.deltagamma.org · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Esports and Gaming Association

Promotes the growth of the esports community at CSULB through casual and competitive gaming events.

Open to all

Pre-Physical Therapy Club

Aims to help students who are interested in the field of physical therapy by providing resources, volunteer opportunities, and guidance for graduate school applications.

Open to all

Sigma Chi

An Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternity dedicated to developing values-based leaders committed to the betterment of character, campus and community.

Regular commitment

Source: public campus page · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Easy to try first

Environmental Science and Policy Club

Spreads awareness, education, and appreciation of the environment in conjunction with promoting sustainability on and off campus.

Drop in any time

Using DormWay at California State University, Long Beach

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California State University, Long Beach on DormWay

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Life in Long Beach for California State University, Long Beach Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Long Beach.

Timezone

Pacific Time (PT)

Median Rent

$2,100

Cost of Living Index

160

Student Population

45,000

City Transportation

Walkability

69

Bikeability

66

Public Transit

Long Beach Transit bus system, LA Metro A Line light rail

Nearest Airports

Long Beach Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Mediterranean (Köppen Csb/Csa)

Avg Annual Temp

64°F

Avg Snowfall

0 in

Data sources: Wikipedia, ZipRecruiter, City of Long Beach Open Data Portal

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Pyramid Parking Structure (PS1)

garage • Fills quickly; upper floors often have space

Located near the Walter Pyramid and College of Business

Palo Verde South Parking Structure (PS2)

garage • High

Located on the west side of campus

Palo Verde North Parking Structure (PS3)

garage • High

Located on the west side of campus

General Lots (G1, G3, G4, G5, G6, G12)

surface_lot • Outer lots like G12 often have more space

G3, G4, G5, and G6 are closest to the central campus

Upcoming Events

What's happening at California State University, Long Beach

New Student Orientation

August 1, 2026

Contact Department for Information

Orientation session for new students to the Department of Public Policy and Administration.

Los Angeles Career Fair

August 6, 2026

5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90445

Career fair hosted by Diversity Career Group for students and alumni.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at California State University, Long Beach

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

26 known dorm and housing options. The first 24 are shown below; the rest are available in the expandable list.

Atlantic Hall

Room types: double, single

Beachside

Room types: not specified in search results

Beachside College

Room types: apartment units

Beachside Village

Room types: double, triple

Central Quad

Room types: single, double, suite

EOP Liberal Arts 1

Room types: single, double

Hillside

Room types: not specified in search results

Hillside College

Room types: single, double

Hillside Housing Complex

Room types: single, double

Hillside Village - International House

Room types: double, triple, limited single

Hillside Village A-F Halls

Room types: single, double, triple

Horn Center

Room types: single, double, suite

International House

Room types: double, single

La Playa Residence Hall

Capacity: 424

Room types: single, double

Los Alamitos Hall

Room types: single, double

Los Cerritos Hall

Room types: single, double

Pacific Hall

Room types: double, single

Parkside

Room types: not specified in search results

Parkside College

Room types: double, triple

Parkside Housing Complex

Room types: single, double

Parkside North

Room types: single, double

Parkside South

Room types: suite

Parkside Village

Room types: double suite

Parkside Village G-Q Halls

Room types: double, triple

Show the remaining 2 housing options

Residence Commons

Room types: apartment

Whittier Dorm

Room types: single, double

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Public

Email Domain

@californiastateulong.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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