San Diego State UniversityStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for San Diego State University. Core organization is free for students.

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

Looking for dorms? Scroll for the dorm and housing breakdown below.

Free for all San Diego State University students. No credit card required.

46K+

Total Enrollment

Research University

Institution Type

42

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Fall Semester 2026

The semester, explained for San Diego State University

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 Semester 2026
Campus terms
57
Local details
30

Academic calendar

Fall Semester 2026 runs Aug 19, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

2 entries
  1. Fall Semester 2026Relevant now
  2. Spring Semester 2027

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Campus language

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

57 terms

A

A.S.
Associated Students, the student-run government that manages the Union, ARC, and various campus programs.
A.S.C.
Aztec Student Congress, the legislative body of the Associated Students.
ARC
Aztec Recreation Center, the primary campus gym and fitness facility.
AS
Associated Students, the student-run government and organization that manages many campus facilities.
Aztec for Life
The university's primary slogan and rallying cry for students and alumni.
Aztec Market
Convenience stores located throughout campus where students use meal plan 'declining balance' or Aztec Cash.
Aztec Proud
A common university slogan used to promote school spirit and donor engagement.

B

BCB
BCB Coffee (Best Coffee Bean), a frequent student stop for caffeine.

C

Cuic
Cuicacalli Suites, a suite-style residence hall that also houses a major dining hall.

E

East Commons
The main food court area near the library featuring vendors like Panda Express and Subway.
ENS
Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, often used to refer to the department or the building housing the gym.
EOP
Educational Opportunity Program, providing support services for first-generation and low-income students.

F

FSL
Fraternity and Sorority Life, referring to the Greek system on campus.

M

Maya
Maya Hall, one of the traditional freshman dorms on the east side of campus.
Maya/Ollie
Maya and Olmeca Halls, two adjacent freshman dorms often referred to as a pair.
Maya/Olmeca
Maya and Olmeca Halls, two adjacent freshman residence halls often referred to as a pair.

N

NSFP
New Student and Family Programs, the office responsible for orientation and transition services.

O

Ollie
Olmeca Hall, a traditional-style freshman residence hall.

P

P-Safe
Slang for the University Police Department (UPD) or campus security services.

R

Red and Black
The official school colors, often used to describe campus spirit or game-day attire.
RHA
Residence Hall Association, the representative body for students living in on-campus housing.

S

SCP
South Campus Plaza, a mixed-use residential and retail complex housing upperclassmen and freshmen.
SLAD
Student Life & Leadership, the office overseeing student organizations and Greek life.
SLL
Student Life & Leadership, the office that oversees student organizations and Greek life.
SLS
Student Life & Leadership, the office that oversees student organizations and Greek life.
Snapdragon
Snapdragon Stadium, the off-campus stadium in Mission Valley where Aztec football plays.
South
South Campus Plaza, a modern residence hall complex located above retail and dining spaces on the south end of campus.
South Campus
South Campus Plaza, a modern residential complex located above retail spaces like Trader Joe's.
State
Common shorthand used by students and locals to refer to San Diego State University.

T

T-P
Tepeyac and Tacuba, often used to refer to the Tepeyac residence hall.
Tacuba
Tacuba Hall, part of the Villa Alvarado apartment complex for upperclassmen.
Teno
Tenochca Hall, a freshman residence hall located on the east side of campus near the pools.
Tenoch
Tenochca Hall, a residence hall located on the east side of campus near the athletic fields.
Tepi
Tepeyac Hall, a residence hall often paired with Cuicacalli in the residential community.
The 24/7
The 24-hour study area located within the Love Library.
The Bridge
The pedestrian bridge over College Avenue connecting the dorms to the main campus.
The Dome
The distinctive circular architecture of the Malcolm A. Love Library.
The Garden
The Garden at Cuicacalli, the primary all-you-care-to-eat dining hall on campus.
The Habit
The Habit Burger Grill located in the Student Union.
The Koala
A long-running, controversial satirical student newspaper known for its offensive humor.
The Market
Aztec Markets, the various convenience stores located around campus and in dorms.
The Markets
Aztec Markets, the various convenience stores located across campus for snacks and grab-and-go meals.
The Mesa
The geographic plateau on which the SDSU campus is built.
The Show
The official name for the energetic student section at SDSU basketball games.
The Turtle Pond
The pond area near Scripps Cottage, a popular spot for relaxation.
The Union
Dining options located within the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.
The Villa
Villa Alvarado, an apartment-style residence hall for upperclassmen.
Turtle Crawl
The slow pace of walking through the crowded Hello Walkway or the bridge during passing periods.
Turtle Pond
The koi and turtle pond located in the courtyard near Scripps Cottage.
Turtle Rock
A specific rock formation on campus near the Scripps Cottage known as a hangout spot.

U

UT
University Towers, an off-campus (but university-owned) high-rise dorm located on Montezuma Road.
UT
University Towers Kitchen, a dining location situated within the University Towers residence hall.
UTK
University Towers Kitchen, the dining facility located within the University Towers residence hall.

V

Viejas
Viejas Arena, the campus venue for basketball games, graduations, and concerts.
Villa
Villa Alvarado, an apartment-style housing complex for upperclassmen.

W

West Commons
A dining area on the west side of campus near the ENS building.

Z

Zura
Zura Hall, a popular freshman residence hall known for its surf-themed design.

Places and practicalities

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

30 details
Add/Drop
The period at the start of the semester (usually the first two weeks) to change class schedules without penalty.
ARC
Aztec Recreation Center, the main campus gym and fitness facility.
Aztec Cash
A debit-like system where funds are loaded onto a RedID for use at campus shops and eateries.
Aztec Help
The campus IT support service for technical issues with accounts or software.
Canvas
The digital learning management system where professors post syllabi, assignments, and grades.
EBA
The Education and Business Administration building.
ENS
The Exercise and Nutritional Sciences building, often used for physical education classes.
GMCS
The Geology, Mathematics, and Computer Science building.
Green Line
The MTS Trolley line that has a dedicated underground station on the SDSU campus.
HealtheConnect
The online portal for managing student health services and immunization records.
Hepner
Hepner Hall, the iconic mission-style building that serves as the symbol of the university.
Love Library
The Malcolm A. Love Library, the main library on campus featuring the 'Dome'.
my.SDSU
The official online portal used for class registration, financial aid, and tuition payments.
P-Lot
Shorthand for various numbered parking lots (e.g., P12) where students with permits can park.
PSFA
The Professional Studies and Fine Arts building.
RedID
The unique identification number assigned to students and the physical ID card used for campus services.
Storm
Storm Hall, a major classroom building often associated with Nasatir Hall.
Storm Hall
A major academic building often referred to simply as 'Storm' by students.
Storm/Nasatir
The Storm and Nasatir Hall complex, which houses many social science departments and large lecture halls.
The 24/7
The 24/7 Study Area located within the Malcolm A. Love Library.
The 24/7
The designated 24-hour study area located within the Love Library.
The Dome
The circular, landmark portion of the Malcolm A. Love Library.
The Love
Malcolm A. Love Library, the main campus library.
The Trolley
The MTS Green Line light rail station located underground in the center of campus.
The Union
The Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, the hub for student life.
the_garden_restaurant
The Garden Restaurant
Trolley
The MTS Green Line light rail station located underground in the center of campus.
university_towers_kitchen_utk
University Towers Kitchen (UTK)
Viejas
Viejas Arena, the campus venue for basketball games, concerts, and major events.
WebPortal
The online system used by students to register for classes, check grades, and manage finances.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Fall Semester 2026 runs Aug 19, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
57 approved campus terms and 30 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 · San Diego State University

You just committed to San Diego State University.

The four months ahead don’t need to be one giant open tab. Sign up and we’ll only email you when San Diego State University actually needs you to do something this summer — orientation, housing, course registration, immunization. That’s the whole product.

What we’ll email you about

  • Jul 15

    Final Transcript and Immunization Deadline

    Required · source

  • Jul 15

    Mandatory New Student Orientation

    Required · source

  • Aug 15

    Health Insurance Waiver Deadline

    Recommended · source

  • Aug 20

    Freshman Move-in Weekend

    Required · source

One email per real deadline. Source link cited every time. We re-check 7 days before each one fires.

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Assisted

Find a few communities to try at San Diego State University

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

Tell us what we missed

83 mapped items from 45 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

A.S. Board of Directors

The highest ranking governing body of Associated Students, composed of elected student executives who oversee the organization's operations and policies.

Regular commitment

Source: as.sdsu.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

A.S. Judicial Affairs Council

Serves as the student judicial branch of Associated Students, interpreting A.S. governing documents and hearing complaints.

Source: as.sdsu.edu · Verified 2 months ago

Learn More

A.S. University Council

Serves as the primary student representative body, strengthening the connection between the SDSU administration and students. Comprised of representatives from each academic college.

Source: as.sdsu.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Alpha Phi

A social sorority and member of the College Panhellenic Association (CPA) focused on sisterhood, scholarship, service, and leadership.

Invite only

Associated Students (A.S.)

The primary student government body at SDSU, responsible for representing student interests, providing services, and funding campus programs and organizations.

Regular commitment

Associated Students Board of Directors (BOD)

The primary governing body of Associated Students, responsible for overseeing broad policies, objectives, and the financial stability of the student-directed corporation.

Regular commitment

Source: as.sdsu.edu · Verified 2 months ago

Aztec Student Union Board (ASUB)

A student-led board responsible for planning and executing a wide variety of events and activities for the student body, such as concerts, speakers, and cultural celebrations.

Source: as.sdsu.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Easy to try first

A.S. Green Love

A commission of Associated Students dedicated to promoting sustainability initiatives and environmental awareness on campus.

Drop in any time

Aztec Nights

A series of free, late-night events for students during the first few weeks of each semester, offering fun, social opportunities, and entertainment.

Drop in any time

Source: as.sdsu.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Resources & spaces

A.S. Food Pantry

Provides free, nutritious food and resources for SDSU students experiencing food insecurity.

Open to all

Source: as.sdsu.edu · Verified 4 months ago

Learn More

Associated Students Food Pantry

Provides nutritious food and referrals to other food services for SDSU students experiencing food insecurity.

Open to all

Source: as.sdsu.edu · Verified 2 months ago

Using DormWay at San Diego State University

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Free student access

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San Diego State University on DormWay

Current DormWay activity for this campus

66

Active Students

57

Syllabi Analyzed

43

Courses on DormWay

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Popular Courses

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American Indian HistoryBeyond Wonder Woman: Exploring 100 years of Feminism in ComicsCalculus for the Life SciencesCrime and BehaviorFundamentals of BiochemistryModern MakingPrinciples of AstronomyPrinciples of Toxicology

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Life in San Diego for San Diego State University Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in San Diego.

Timezone

Pacific Time (PT)

Median Rent

$2,700

Cost of Living Index

160

Student Population

120,000

City Transportation

Walkability

51

Bikeability

53

Public Transit

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (bus), San Diego Trolley (light rail), COASTER commuter rail, SPRINTER light rail (metro area)

Nearest Airports

San Diego International Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Semi-arid Mediterranean

Avg Annual Temp

64°F

Avg Snowfall

0 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Parking Structure 3 (PS3)

garage • Full during peak hours

Daily choice student rate $4.25/day via PayByPhone.

Parking Structure 4 (PS4)

garage • Moderate

Daily choice student rate $4.25/day via PayByPhone.

Parking Lot 15

surface_lot • Limited

Reduced daily student rate available.

Parking Lot 17 (17A/17B)

surface_lot • Available

Located near Villa Alvarado.

Campus News

Latest updates from San Diego State University

New $5.4 Million Initiative to Foster California-Mexico Partnerships

The California-Mexican Initiative for New Opportunities (CAMINO) program was launched with $5.4 million in state funds to develop cross-border research, workforce development, and academic degree programs.

Oct 14, 2026

Read More

SDSU Imperial Valley Professor Named Among 101 Most Influential Latinos

Assistant Professor Linda Lara-Jacobo has been recognized by Latino Leaders magazine for her influential work in public health and environmental toxicology in the border regions.

Oct 15, 2026

Read More

Police Operation Near Campus Results in 40 Felony Arrests

A joint month-long operation between SDSU Police and San Diego Police aimed at enhancing safety during the start of the fall semester led to 40 felony arrests and the recovery of four firearms in the College Area.

Oct 11, 2026

Read More

KCR Student Radio Returns to Airwaves After Six-Year Hiatus

SDSU's independent student-run radio station, KCR, has officially resumed its news broadcasts, marking the return of a long-standing campus media tradition.

Oct 12, 2026

Read More

Great California ShakeOut: On Oct 15, the university tested emergency email, text, and app notifications as part of a statewide earthquake drill.

Great California ShakeOut: On Oct 15, the university tested emergency email, text, and app notifications as part of a statewide earthquake drill.

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at San Diego State University

SDSU War Memorial Wreath-Laying Ceremony

October 16, 2026

5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182

An annual ceremony honoring SDSU alumni who lost their lives in service during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. This event is part of the 2026 Homecoming weekend.

Homecoming 2026: SDSU vs. Fresno State

October 17, 2026

Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego, CA 92108

The culmination of Homecoming week featuring the battle for 'The Old Oil Can' rivalry game against Fresno State. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT.

SDSU Imperial Valley Fall Career and Internship Fair

October 22, 2026

SDSU Imperial Valley Campus, 720 Heber Ave, Calexico, CA 92231

A career networking event for students and alumni to connect with regional employers for job and internship opportunities.

State After Sunset: The Great Pumpkin Paint-Off

October 23, 2026

Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union

A student life event featuring pumpkin painting and seasonal activities as part of the State After Sunset series.

Lecture: Sanctuary Making: Immigrant Families Reshaping Geographies of Deportability

October 27, 2026

Aztec Student Union Theatre (2nd Floor)

An academic lecture exploring how immigrant families navigate and reshape geographical spaces in response to deportation policies.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at San Diego State University

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

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

Aztec Corner

Capacity: 110

Room types: single, double

Chapultepec

Capacity: 290

Room types: double, triple

Cuicacalli

Capacity: 420

Room types: double, triple

Cuicacalli Suites

Capacity: 350

Room types: single, double, triple

Cuicicalli

Evolve Residence Hall Phase 1A/1B

Capacity: 1,370

Granada

Room types: single, double

Huaxtepec

Room types: studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom

Huāxyacac

Capacity: 380

Room types: double, triple, single, quad

Maya

Capacity: 200

Room types: double, triple

Maya and Olmeca

Capacity: 420

Room types: double

M@College

Room types: single, double

Metepec

Room types: apartment

Mixquic

Room types: single, double

Montage on College

Room types: one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, four-bedroom

Olmeca

Capacity: 200

Room types: double, triple

Piedra del Sol

Capacity: 82

Room types: single, double

Plaza del Sol

Capacity: 95

Room types: double

South Campus Plaza - North

Capacity: 800

Room types: single, double, triple

South Campus Plaza - North & South

Capacity: 800

Room types: double, triple

Sunset Plaza

Capacity: 278

Room types: single, double

Tacuba

Room types: single, double, triple

Tacuba & Tepeyac

Room types: triple, double, single

Tarastec

Room types: studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom

Show the remaining 12 housing options

Tec Apartments

Room types: triple, double, single

Templo del Sol

Room types: single, double, triple

Tenochca

Capacity: 430

Room types: single, double, triple

Tepeyac

Room types: single, double, triple

Texcoco

Capacity: 323

Room types: single, double

Toltec

Capacity: 82

Room types: single, double

University Towers

Capacity: 550

Room types: single, double, triple

Villa Alvarado

Capacity: 350

Room types: single, double

Viva

Room types: single, double

Zacatepec

Room types: single, double

Zapotec

Room types: single, double

Zura

Capacity: 800

Room types: single, double

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Public

Email Domain

@sdsu.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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