California State University, SacramentoStudent Guide

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

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

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Total Enrollment

Research University

Institution Type

15

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Fall 2026

The semester, explained for California State University, Sacramento

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
Fall 2026
Campus terms
73
Local details
48

Academic calendar

Fall 2026 runs Aug 26, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

21 entries
  1. Summer 2026 12WSummer 2026 Session 12W
  2. Summer 2026 6W2Summer 2026 Session 6W2
  3. Fall 2026Relevant now
  4. Winter Intersession 2027
  5. Spring 2027
  6. Summer 2027 6W1Summer 2027 Session 6W1
  7. Summer 2027 12WSummer 2027 Session 12W
  8. Summer Sessions 2027
  9. Summer 2027 6W2Summer 2027 Session 6W2
  10. Fall 2027
  11. Winter Intersession 2028
  12. Spring 2028
  13. Summer 2028 Session 6W1
  14. Summer 2028 Session 12W
  15. Summer Sessions 2028
  16. Summer 2028 Session 6W2

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Campus language

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

73 terms

A

Academy65
A high-density off-campus student apartment building located near the 65th Street transit area.
AIRC
Academic Information Resource Center, providing technology support and 24/7 study space.
AMC
American River Courtyard, the apartment-style housing complex primarily for upperclassmen.
ARC
American River Courtyard, a suite-style residence hall for upper-division students.
ASI
Associated Students, Inc., the student-run government and service provider on campus.

C

Commuter School
A term often used by students to describe the campus's high population of non-resident students.
Courtyard Market
The convenience store and quick-service eatery located in the American River Courtyard.

D

DAC
Disability Access Center, which provides academic accommodations for students.
DC
Shorthand for the Dining Commons, the main meal-plan-based eatery on campus.
Desmond
Desmond Hall, one of the residence halls within the North Village community.

E

Epicure
The Epicure Restaurant, a more formal dining option located on campus.

G

Green and Gold
The official school colors, often used to refer to school spirit or dress codes for games.
Grumpy Mule
A popular coffee shop located near the University Library.
Guy West
The Guy West Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting the campus to the American River bike trail.
Guy West Bridge
The iconic suspension bridge connecting the campus to the Campus Commons neighborhood across the American River.

H

Herky
Herky the Hornet, the official university mascot.
Hornet
The official mascot and the term used to refer to any Sac State student.
Hornet Bucks
Campus currency loaded onto the OneCard for use at all campus dining and retail locations.
Hornet Commons
The apartment-style housing complex located on the south side of campus.
Hornet Family
A common term used by students and staff to refer to the collective Sac State community.
Hornet Pride
The general term for school spirit and campus identity.
Hornet's Nest
The main food court area inside the University Union featuring various retail vendors.

I

IRT
Information Resources & Technology, the campus IT department.

J

J Street
The main entrance to campus and the primary thoroughfare connecting the university to East Sacramento.
Java City
The primary coffee brand and locations found across campus, including the Library and the Union.

K

KSSU
The student-run campus radio station.

M

Meal Exchange
A program allowing students to use a dining hall meal swipe for a set meal at specific retail food locations.

N

North Village
The collective name for the on-campus housing complex located at the north end of campus.
NSM
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

P

PRIDE Center
The campus resource center for LGBTQIA+ students.

R

RHA
Residence Hall Association; the student-led organization representing students living in on-campus housing.
River Front
The River Front Center, a dining area on the south side of campus featuring various eateries.
Riverfront
The Riverfront Center, a dining hub featuring multiple food court options.
Riverview
Riverview Hall, a residence hall known for its views of the American River.
Round Table
The Round Table Pizza location in the Union, a popular group hangout spot.
Roundhouse
A dining area and food court located near the center of campus.

S

Sac State
The common, informal name for California State University, Sacramento.
Sierra
Sierra Hall, a residence hall located in the North Village housing area.
SO&L
Student Organizations & Leadership, the office that oversees campus clubs.
SOAL
Student Organizations & Leadership, the office that oversees campus clubs.
Stingers Up
The official school motto and accompanying hand gesture (pinky and index finger raised).
Sutter
Sutter Hall, a residence hall that also houses the main Dining Commons.

T

The 65th
Refers to the 65th Street Light Rail station and the surrounding student-heavy neighborhood.
The Arboretum
The University Arboretum, a 3-acre botanical garden on the north side of campus.
The Ark
The common phonetic pronunciation and nickname for the AIRC building.
The Bridge
The Guy West Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting the campus to the other side of the American River.
The Buzz
A casual dining spot located in the University Union featuring burgers and pub-style food.
The Commons
Hornet Commons, the privatized apartment complex located on the edge of campus.
The Courtyard
Common shorthand for the American River Courtyard housing facility.
The DC
The Dining Commons, the primary all-you-care-to-eat facility for residents.
The Dorms
General student shorthand for the North Village residential area.
The Guy with the Sign
A reference to a well-known local regular who frequently stands near the campus perimeter with various signs.
The Hive
A nickname for the campus community or the athletic stadium.
The Hornet
Common shorthand for the student-run newspaper, The State Hornet.
The Lark
A popular off-campus student housing complex frequently used by Sac State students.
The Outpost
A satellite dining location on the north side of campus near the residence halls.
The Quad
The main outdoor grassy area between the Library and the Union used for events.
The River
Refers to the American River, which borders the campus and is a popular spot for student recreation.
The Roundhouse
The central campus Java City coffee location, often used as a meeting landmark.
The Sac
A common shorthand nickname for the university or the city of Sacramento.
The Sac State Way
A phrase used by administration and students to describe the campus culture and community values.
The Servery
The dining area within the North Village housing complex.
The Servery
The specific food service area inside the Dining Commons.
The State Hornet
The name of the long-running student-led newspaper.
The Store
The Corner Store, a convenience shop located within the North Village housing area.
The Union
The University Union, which houses various retail food vendors like Starbucks and Jamba Juice.
The Village
North Village, the collective name for the on-campus housing complex.
The Well
Often used to refer to the health-conscious food options located within the Wellness and Recreation Center.
The WELL
Wellness, Education, Leisure, Lifestyle; the campus recreation and health center.
The Well Juice Bar
The Mother Earth Tap House or juice bar located inside the campus wellness center.

U

UEI
University Enterprises, Inc.; the auxiliary that operates campus dining and the Hornet Bookstore.
UNIQUE
The student-run program board responsible for organizing campus concerts, lectures, and movies.
UTAPS
University Transportation and Parking Services, responsible for parking permits and shuttles.

Places and practicalities

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

48 details
ace_sushi
Ace Sushi
AIRC
The Academic Information Resource Center, a 24/7 study building and computer lab.
Canvas
The digital learning management system where professors post assignments and course materials.
choolaah_indian_bbq
Choolaah Indian BBQ
Commuter Fold
The common practice of students leaving campus immediately after classes due to the high commuter population.
Commuter Sleeve
A plastic sleeve for the OneCard that, when paired with a valid ID, allows free rides on Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT).
courtyard_market
Courtyard Market
Eureka
Eureka Hall, an academic building housing various social science departments.
Flex$
Dining dollars included with meal plans that can be used at retail eateries like Panda Express or Starbucks.
Guy West
The Guy West Bridge, a pedestrian bridge connecting the campus to the other side of the American River.
gyro_2_go
Gyro 2 Go
Herky Streetcar
A small shuttle that operates within the inner campus to help students get between buildings quickly.
Hornet Bucks
A prepaid debit account on the OneCard used for making purchases at campus eateries and the bookstore.
Hornet Express
The free campus shuttle service that transports students around the campus and nearby areas.
Hornet Shuttle
The free campus transit system that moves students between the main campus and nearby transit hubs.
Hornet Stadium
The main outdoor stadium used for football and track and field.
java_city_at_the_roundhouse
Java City at the Roundhouse
Lassen
Lassen Hall, the primary administrative building for admissions, financial aid, and records.
Mariposa
Mariposa Hall, an academic building housing communication and language departments.
Mendo
Mendocino Hall, a common building for humanities and communication classes.
Mendocino
Mendocino Hall, a primary building for humanities and social sciences classes.
My Sac State
The online portal where students register for classes and view financial aid.
MySacState
The online student portal used for registration, checking grades, and financial aid.
OneCard
The official student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
PayByPhone
The mobile application used to pay for daily or hourly parking in campus lots and structures.
PrintSmart
The campus-wide printing system that allows students to print from kiosks using their OneCard.
Sac Hall
Sacramento Hall; the main administrative building housing the President's office.
Sac State Mobile
The official app used to track shuttles, view grades, and navigate the campus map.
SacLink
The universal username and account used to log into all campus digital services.
SacSend
The university's official mass-email communication system for campus alerts and news.
Student Center
The online portal within 'My Sac State' used for class registration, tuition payments, and grades.
Tahoe
Tahoe Hall, an academic building primarily housing the College of Business.
The AIRC
Pronounced 'ark,' the Academic Information Resource Center, a 24/7 study building.
The Library
The University Library, the main academic research building.
The Nest
The nickname for the university's gymnasium and former home of basketball and volleyball.
The Planetarium
The Sac State Planetarium, located within the Tschannen Science Complex.
The Union
The University Union, the central hub for student life and organizations.
The Welcome Center
The main visitor hub and location for transit services near the J Street entrance.
The Well
The Wellness Center, the campus gym and health services facility.
the_habit_burger_grill
The Habit Burger Grill
the_servery_at_the_dining_commons
The Servery at the Dining Commons
Transit Center
The main bus and shuttle hub located on the north side of campus near J Street.
Transit Sticker
A physical sticker applied to the OneCard that allows students to ride regional transit for free.
TransLoc
The mobile app used by students to track the real-time location of the Hornet Shuttle.
Tschannen
The Tschannen Science Complex, the university's modern science and planetarium building.
Union
The University Union, the central hub for student activities, dining, and the bookstore.
UTAPS
University Transportation & Parking Services, the office responsible for parking permits and enforcement.
Virtual Permit
The campus parking system where license plates are scanned instead of using physical stickers or hangtags.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Fall 2026 runs Aug 26, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027.
How much campus context is included?
73 approved campus terms and 48 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, Sacramento

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Assisted

Find a few communities to try at California State University, Sacramento

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

Tell us what we missed

46 mapped items from 25 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

Alpha Chi Omega

A Panhellenic Sorority Council (PSC) organization focused on sisterhood, leadership, and philanthropy.

Regular commitment

Source: csus.edu · Verified 18 days ago

Learn More

Archery Club

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

Open to all

Source: csus.edu · Verified 21 days ago

ASI Board of Directors

The primary governing body of ASI, comprised of elected student officers who represent the student body on campus and systemwide issues.

Regular commitment

Source: asi.csus.edu · Verified 2 months ago

ASI Office of Governmental Affairs (OGA)

Provides advocacy support for students on behalf of the ASI Board of Directors, focusing on higher education issues at the State Capitol. Organizes voter registration and education.

Source: csus.edu · Verified 21 days ago

Learn More

ASI Student Government Committees

Various committees that allow students to be an integral part of the decision-making process at Sac State on topics like finance, academic affairs, and university affairs.

Associated Students, Inc. (ASI)

The elected student government of Sacramento State, serving as the official governing body and voice for students.

Regular commitment

Source: asi.csus.edu · Verified 2 months ago

Competitive Cheer Club

A competitive cheerleading team that travels to compete at College Cheer Nationals.

Tryout required

Source: csus.edu · Verified 15 days ago

Easy to try first

Arrive to the Hive

Sac State's welcome experience for new students. Through events, programs, and campus traditions, students are invited to discover their Sac State community.

Drop in any time

Source: csus.edu · Verified 18 days ago

Campus rituals

All People's Recognition Ceremony

A yearly event in May that recognizes students, staff, administrators, and faculty who make a positive difference on campus and advance social justice efforts.

Invite only

Source: csus.edu · Verified 15 days ago

Learn More

Convocation

Serves as newly enrolled students' official induction into the University, celebrating the start of their academic journey.

Drop in any time

Resources & spaces

ASI Food Pantry

Provides free, confidential access to nutritious food and basic necessities for Sacramento State students experiencing food insecurity.

Open to all

Using DormWay at California State University, Sacramento

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Syllabus to schedule

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California State University, Sacramento on DormWay

Current DormWay activity for this campus

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Active Students

23

Syllabi Analyzed

20

Courses on DormWay

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Comparative PoliticsConstitutional LawConstitutional Rights & LibertiesCritical ThinkingEssentials of GovernmentGeneral Chemistry IGlobal Environmental History in the Age of Imperialism, 1450-Present DayGovernments and Politics of the Middle East

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Life in Sacramento for California State University, Sacramento Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Sacramento.

Timezone

Pacific Time (PT)

Median Rent

$1,650

Cost of Living Index

120

Student Population

65,000

City Transportation

Walkability

45

Bikeability

68

Public Transit

Sacramento Regional Transit District (bus and light rail), Yolobus (regional bus)

Nearest Airports

Sacramento International Airport (SMF), Sacramento Executive Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Mediterranean (hot-summer, Csa)

Avg Annual Temp

61°F

Avg Snowfall

0.3 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Parking Structure 1

garage

Permit machines located on the 5th floor.

Parking Structure 2

garage

Permit machines located on the 3rd floor.

Parking Structure 3

garage

Permit machines located on the 1st and 3rd floors.

Parking Structure 5

garage • 1,750 stalls

Features occupancy sensors and LED lights to indicate open spots. Permit machines on 3rd and 4th floors.

Student Lot 1

surface_lot

Located near the Athletic Center.

Student Lot 7

surface_lot

Permit machine available.

Student Lot 8

surface_lot

Permit machine available.

Student Lot 9

surface_lot

Permit machine available.

Campus News

Latest updates from California State University, Sacramento

Sac State's student-run radio station celebrates 35 years on air

KSSU, Sacramento State's student-run radio station, is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Since 1991, generations of student deejays have been broadcasting, and the milestone will be marked with alumni shows and live performances.

Sep 10, 2026

Read More

Four gunshot victims found nearby after 'shots fired' reported amidst first home football game

Sacramento State Police responded to reports of shots fired in Parking Structure III during the season's first home football game on September 5. While a shelter-in-place was briefly issued, no injuries were reported on campus, though four victims were found in related incidents nearby.

Sep 7, 2026

Read More

Wendy Aguilar Named Director of Media and Public Relations at Sacramento State

Sacramento State announced Wendy Aguilar as the new Director of Media and Public Relations, joining the External Relations team to lead the university's communication efforts.

Sep 1, 2026

Read More

President Wood announces major funding for new engineering building

During the Fall Address, President Luke Wood announced significant funding for a new engineering building and highlighted a positive outlook for enrollment and student success.

Aug 28, 2026

Read More

Dangerous situation! Shots fired. Police responded. Avoid Parking Structure 3. Stadium shelter in place until all clear is given.

Dangerous situation! Shots fired. Police responded. Avoid Parking Structure 3. Stadium shelter in place until all clear is given.

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at California State University, Sacramento

Outdoor Rock Climbing

September 13, 2026

Sacramento State Campus

An outdoor rock climbing event organized for students and the campus community.

ASI Food Pantry 10-Year Anniversary Celebration!

September 14, 2026

Sacramento State Campus

A celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) Food Pantry, which serves students facing food insecurity.

Sac State Dance Team Football Clinic

September 19, 2026

Campus Commons, California State University, Sacramento

A dance clinic hosted by the Sac State Dance Team in conjunction with a football event.

ANTZ 4TH ANNUAL SAC STATE TAILGATE

September 26, 2026

Hornet Stadium, Campus Commons

The fourth annual tailgate event held at Hornet Stadium for the campus community.

Sac State Dance Team Fall Clinic

October 11, 2026

California State University, Sacramento

A fall dance clinic organized by the Sacramento State Dance Team.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at California State University, Sacramento

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

14 known dorm and housing options. Every known option is shown below.

American River Courtyard

Room types: suite

Braiden Hall

Desmond Hall

Capacity: 250

Room types: double, triple

Draper Hall

Capacity: 200

Room types: double, triple

Hornet Commons

Capacity: 1,100

Room types: 2 bedroom/2 bathroom, 4 bedroom/2 bathroom

Hornet Place

Capacity: 352

Room types: private bedroom, shared bedroom

Jenkins Hall

Capacity: 200

Room types: double, triple

Klamath Hall

Room types: single, double

Mount Whitney Hall

Capacity: 335

Room types: single, double

Mt. Whitney Hall

Capacity: 335

Room types: single, double, triple

North Village

Capacity: 2,100

Room types: single, double, apartment-style suites

Riverview Hall

Capacity: 450

Room types: single

Sierra Hall

Capacity: 200

Room types: double, triple

Sutter Hall

Capacity: 200

Room types: double, triple

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Public

Email Domain

@californiastateusacr.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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