Celebrating 125 Years of Excellence
SDSU is hosting a Community Open House and Birthday Celebration on March 14 in honor of the universitys 125th anniversary.
Since its founding 125 years ago on March 13, 1897, San Diego State University has embodied its teaching, research and outreach mission and its pledge for the public good to change lives and communities for the better.
To celebrate the rich history of the campus and honor the many contributions from students, faculty, staff and the entire campus community, SDSU is hosting a 20-month anniversary celebration. The festivities kick off on March 14 with two events.
"San Diego State University’s vibrant heritage consists of a dynamic blend of histories, traditions, and values that have been passed down with care for years, and this important anniversary gives us the opportunity to celebrate our shared past as a diverse yet inclusive community," said Seth Mallios, University history curator and professor of anthropology.
Community Open House
All students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to attend both the Community Open House and Birthday Celebration on March 14.
The open house will be held at Montezuma Hall in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union and will be available for attendees to explore from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Community Open House will highlight “SDSU Over the Decades” and will feature immersive vignettes showcasing rare SDSU artifacts and multimedia organized by decade. The actors performing in the vignettes will be SDSU students wearing costumes designed by an SDSU graduate class of costume designers. The vignettes will walk attendees through the university’s history and provide a glimpse into the past. Guests will also have an opportunity to interact with a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory space exploration and virtual reality experience featuring SDSU engineering alumni.
For those who are unable to attend the in-person event, information on the vignettes will be available on the SDSU 125th anniversary website.
Birthday Celebration
The Birthday Celebration will be a festive event featuring a short program with music and complimentary treats. The celebration is happening from noon to 1 p.m. at Centennial Walkway in front of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.
Additional information on the university’s anniversary campus history and opportunities to get involved can be found on the anniversary site.
SDSU continues to actively monitor pandemic conditions and has a number of proactive measures in place for individual community health and safety. Those attending any events are asked to follow university policy and general prevention protocols.
COVID-19 Guidelines
Aligned with recent updates to the California Department of Public Health COVID-19 guidelines, both SDSU’s facial covering and event policies have been revised and will be in place on March 14. Please see below for updates on the facial covering policy and vaccination verification for guests who plan to attend the Community Open House.
Facial Covering Policy
For those who are NOT fully up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster dose (if eligible), facial coverings must be worn at all times while indoors. For those who ARE fully up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster dose (if eligible), facial coverings are recommended, but not required, indoors.
Vaccination Verification
SDSU Students, Faculty, and Staff
SDSU students, faculty, and staff attendees should enter through the “Students, Faculty & Staff Entrance” upon arrival to Montezuma Hall and present their RedID or green clearance medallion from HealtheConnect, the university’s secure online health portal, to show their COVID-19 clearance status. Vaccine and testing verification is NOT required for SDSU students, faculty, and staff, as SDSU community members’ COVID clearance status is known and monitored.
Off-Campus Guests
For off-campus guests, vaccine or testing verification is required. Off-campus guests should enter through the “Off-Campus Guest Entrance” upon arrival to Montezuma Hall and present either proof of vaccination or recent negative test results. Both paper and digital (photo) vaccination cards and lab results will be accepted.
If an off-campus guest is not fully up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster (if eligible), they must have written laboratory results of a negative molecular (PCR, TMA, NAAT, etc.) or antigen test administered within 72 hours of the event (test taken after 10 a.m. on March 11). Only written reports from COVID-19 testing conducted by laboratories, pharmacies, or schools will be accepted as proof; photos of home tests are not acceptable as they can’t be dated.
All Attendees
All attendees are asked not to attend any event, or come to SDSU’s campus, if they have any signs of illness — whether COVID-19 related or other — or if they are currently under an order to isolate or quarantine.
