Communications
Students living on campus receive important housing-related communications throughout the year. Because students are the official license agreement holders, the Office of Housing Administration sends all official housing updates directly to students.
To make sure nothing gets missed, students are expected to regularly check their official @sdsu.edu email account and monitor their cell phone. Time-sensitive updates, including everything from housing assignments and move-in details to billing and maintenance, will come through these channels.
For Students
How We Communicate
We know life as a student gets busy! To make things easier, we use different communication channels based on the type and urgency of the information being shared.
Email is where we send contract-related details, important items that require your action and detailed housing updates. All email communications are sent directly to your official @sdsu.edu email account. Because these messages contain critical timelines and required steps, please do not unsubscribe from housing emails.
Examples include:
- License agreements and housing assignments
- Move-in and move-out information
- Break closures
- Scheduled maintenance
- Billing updates
- Health and safety inspections
- Service requests
- Construction impacts
- Surveys and forms
Phone
When something needs your immediate attention, we will call or text the cell phone number that you provided in the Housing Portal. Keeping your contact info up to date ensures we can notify you.
Examples include:
- Utility outages
- Notice of entry into your unit
- Maintenance work requiring immediate attention
- Emergencies
Follow us on Instagram @SDSU_Housing for community updates, announcements and helpful reminders. It's a great way to stay connected to your residential community on campus.
Examples include:
- Community programming
- Campus events
- Dining and food truck schedules
- Student job opportunities
- General deadlines and reminders
For Parents and Families
Supporting Your Student
The Office of Housing Administration and Residential Education Office values the role parents and families play in supporting student success. Our goal is to partner with you to ensure your student feels safe, comfortable and supported in their residential community. Because we are committed to their personal growth, we find that encouraging students to navigate their housing experience directly is an excellent opportunity for them to develop valuable, independent life skills.
Resources are readily available to assist students. Students can submit a service request at any time for maintenance needs or contact our front desk with any questions. Family members can serve as excellent advocates by regularly reminding students to utilize these resources, encouraging them to monitor their @sdsu email account and phone and text communications, and asking them to share relevant updates with you.
Student Privacy (FERPA)
It is important to note that student housing records are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). To protect your student's privacy, the Office of Housing Administration cannot discuss student-specific information with family members without the student's written authorization. This privacy policy applies to inquiries such as:
- Housing assignments or roommates
- Billing information
- Service requests
- Conduct matters or personal student records
Students who wish to grant family members access to their housing information must complete an Authorization to Release Student Records. When completing the form, ensure that the Office of Housing Administration is specifically included as an authorized department. Once submitted, it may take up to 24 hours for the authorization to reflect in our system. Students may update access at any time.
Staying Informed
To help families stay connected and informed throughout the academic year, we recommend utilizing the following resources:
- Download the SDSU Safe App: While the Office of Housing Administration does not communicate directly with parents during an active housing emergency, San Diego State University sends real-time campus safety alerts through this application. We highly recommend that all parents download and opt into notifications via the SDSU Safe App (available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store) to receive timely safety updates when the university sends campuswide emergency notifications.
- Connect with Orientation, Transition and Family Engagement (OTFE): OTFE facilitates a successful transition for all new students while cultivating a strong partnership with parents and families. We encourage you to engage with their initiatives and join the Aztec Parents Association to stay involved and supported throughout your student's time at SDSU.
- Explore Our Website and Chat Bot: Visit our website for important dates, frequently asked questions and housing resources. We update this information throughout the year to keep you informed. You can also get answers to general questions through our AI-assisted chatbot, located in the bottom right corner of the Housing website.
- Follow @SDSU_Housing on Instagram: Stay connected with the latest housing news, important reminders, upcoming events and student employment opportunities by following @SDSU_Housing on Instagram.
For additional information or assistance, visit our Contact Us page to connect with our staff. We look forward to partnering with you to support your students' success throughout their time at SDSU.
