SDSU Launches Graduate Student Housing Program
Beginning in fall 2021, on-campus apartments will be made available as part of a major expansion of graduate-level student services.
“Graduate student housing is just one more way we can support our dynamic graduate student community.”
To help sustain San Diego State University’s efforts to expand graduate student support services, on-campus housing will be made available for advanced-degree students.
The on-campus offering is part of a new program offered through the Office of Housing Administration and Residential Education. The new graduate student housing program will serve about 135 students in its pilot phase. The apartments-style housing is located in the university’s Zapotec building.
"The dedicated block of apartments at Zapotec are an important step in the development of housing options for SDSU's graduate students,” said Ed Balsdon, interim graduate dean.
The program announcement follows a record year for graduate applications. SDSU’s Enrollment Services division processed more than 12,000 graduate applications for the 2021-22 academic year — 60% increase from the previous year.
This increase was likely due to a variety of factors, according to Stefan Hyman, associate vice president for enrollment management.
“The COVID-19 pandemic upended many students' plans for employment after completing their bachelor's degrees,” said Hyman. “Circumstances of the last year also inspired many people who had already been in the workforce to earn an advanced degree and prepare for a post-COVID economy. These factors, combined with the strength and increasing reputation of SDSU's graduate degree programs, have all contributed to the unprecedented increase in applications.”
Hyman noted that while most programs have seen application increases, the largest growth has been in such disciplines as public health, big data analytics, clinical psychology and social work.
Located on the western end of campus between Metepec and Toltec, Zapotec offers an intimate community and one- to three-bedroom apartments. Among other amenities, graduate students will have access to fully furnished units and Residential Education support.
“Graduate students are an integral part of our campus community,” said Randall Timm, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “They are instructors, researchers, artists and students all rolled into one. Living on campus amongst peers and engaging with programs and activities provided by the new Graduate Student Center fosters a caring community where graduate students are supported and can thrive.”
“It is wonderful to see the expansion of so many new graduate programs at SDSU,” Timm added. “Graduate student housing is just one more way we can support our dynamic graduate student community.”
Graduate students may fill out a housing application for the 2021-22 academic year beginning on Monday, April 19. For more information and to apply, visit the dedicated Graduate Housing website.
