San Diego State UniversityStudent Guide

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

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

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41K+

Total Enrollment

Research University

Institution Type

39

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Summer 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
Summer 2026
Campus terms
57
Local details
30

Academic calendar

Summer 2026 runs May 26, 2026 – Aug 18, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

3 entries
  1. Summer 2026Relevant now
  2. Fall 2026
  3. Spring 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?
Summer 2026 runs May 26, 2026 – Aug 18, 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

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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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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

20 mapped items from 5 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

Associated Students (A.S.)

The official student government of SDSU, an independent, student-directed corporation that provides programs, services, and facilities to enhance the college experience.

Regular commitment

Aztec Student Union Board (ASUB)

The student-led programming board responsible for planning and executing a wide variety of free events and entertainment for the student body.

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

Club Tennis

A competitive, co-ed travel team that competes in tournaments and matches within the USTA Tennis On Campus organization.

Tryout required

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

Dance Team

The SDSU Dance Team proudly represents San Diego State at games, campus events, and national competitions.

Tryout required

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

Ice Hockey Club

A competitive team that recently stepped up to Division I status within the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).

Tryout required

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

Men's Club Lacrosse

One of the university's largest and most competitive club sports teams, competing in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA).

Tryout required

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

Men's Club Rugby

A high-performance program competing at the top level of collegiate rugby (D1A) with more than 40 active athletes.

Tryout required

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

Men's Club Soccer

Consists of 50 student-athletes who are passionate about hard work, playing at a high level, and community service. The team is continuously ranked in the top 5 in the Western US.

Tryout required

Source: sdsuclubsoccer.com · Verified 1 month ago

Women's Club Soccer

Competes through the National Intercollegiate-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) and West Coast Soccer Association (WCSA). The team won the National Open Cup in 2023.

Tryout required

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

A.S. Judicial Affairs Council

Serves as the judicial branch of Associated Students, interpreting governing documents and hearing cases related to A.S. elections and conduct.

Regular commitment

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

A.S. University Council

A council within Associated Students where members represent each college, with one seat provided for every 1,500 students.

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

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 1 month ago

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Using DormWay at San Diego State University

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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

$2,550

Cost of Living Index

160

Student Population

369,878

City Transportation

Walkability

51

Bikeability

60

Public Transit

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System buses, San Diego Trolley light rail

Nearest Airports

San Diego International Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Mediterranean

Avg Annual Temp

64°F

Avg Snowfall

0 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Parking Structure 12

garage

Closest to Viejas Arena and Storm Hall; 24-hour permit available for $20.35.

Parking Structure 7

garage

Located on 55th Street; visitor pay permit required.

Parking Lot 17/17A/17B

surface_lot

Daily-choice parking rate available exclusively via PayByPhone.

Upcoming Events

What's happening at San Diego State University

Zach Bryan: Quittin Time Tour

July 31, 2026

Snapdragon Stadium

Zach Bryan performs live at Snapdragon Stadium with special guest Heaven.

International Student Virtual Open Advising Hours

July 30, 2026

Online virtual event

Virtual advising hours for international students to ask questions and receive guidance.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at San Diego State University

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

33 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, triple

Chapultepec

Capacity: 420

Room types: single, double, triple

Cuicacalli

Capacity: 420

Room types: single, double, triple

Cuicacalli Suites

Capacity: 350

Room types: 2-3 bedrooms

Cuicicalli

Evolve Residence Hall Phase 1A/1B

Capacity: 1,370

Granada

Room types: single, double, triple

Huaxtepec

Room types: single, double, triple

Huāxyacac

Capacity: 380

Room types: single, double, triple, quad

Maya

Capacity: 420

Room types: single, double, triple

Maya and Olmeca

Capacity: 420

Room types: single, double, triple

M@College

Room types: single, double, triple

Metepec

Room types: single, double, triple

Mixquic

Room types: single, double, triple

Olmeca

Capacity: 420

Room types: single, double, triple

Piedra Del Sol

Capacity: 82

Room types: single, double, triple

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, triple

Tacuba

Room types: single, double, triple

Tacuba & Tepeyac

Room types: triple, double, single

Tarastec

Room types: single, double, triple

Templo del Sol

Room types: single, double, triple

Tenochca

Capacity: 430

Room types: single, double, triple

Show the remaining 9 housing options

Tepeyac

Room types: single, double, triple

Texcoco

Capacity: 650

Room types: double, triple, quad

Toltec

Capacity: 82

Room types: single, double, triple

University Towers East

Capacity: 720

Room types: double

Villa Alvarado

Capacity: 350

Room types: single, double, triple

Viva

Room types: single, double, triple

Zacatepec

Room types: single, double, triple

Zapotec

Room types: studio, one bedroom, two bedroom

Zura

Capacity: 800

Room types: single, double, triple, quad

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Public

Email Domain

@sandiegostateu.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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