Housing Options

The Department of Residential Life is dedicated to providing a comfortable, safe and well-maintained living environment for all of our students. The halls are all staffed with both enthusiastic professional and student staff who are eager to assist our residents with the college transition. Our Residential Life Team includes: Complex Directors, Residence Hall Directors, Graduate Assistants, Community Assistants, Living Learning Coordinators and more. 

New International Students who have graduated from Secondary School less than two years prior to their enrollment at SDSU are required to live in university residence halls upon arrival.

• Students must complete a separate Meal Plan Application/Form.
  • Students can either mail this to the address listed on the form or turn it in upon arrival.

Other Residential Life information can be accessed on our Reslife Page.

Key Facts

• SDSU has 9 Residence Halls.
• Each residence hall houses between 150 and 500 students.
• Approximately 3,500 students live on-campus.
• Each resident is provided with internet for unlimited use.
• All rooms are furnished with lofts, mattresses, desks, chairs, dressers, mirrors and wastebaskets.
• Internet ports are also provided at no additional cost.
• All residence halls are equipped with hobo dough/coin-operated laundry facilities, vending machines, mail service and furnished common lounge area.
• Landline phone jacks are provided in each room. You will need to provide a telephone and arrange for service with Swiftel Communications at 605-692-6211.
• Basic cable will be activated upon your arrival and is free for one week. After that if you wish to purchase cable service you must contact Mediacom directly at 800-332-0245.
• No Smoking is allowed in the Residence Halls. Smoking is only allowed outside at least 25 feet from all doorways and windows.
• SDSU is a completely dry campus, which means that alcoholic beverages and empty containers are not allowed anywhere on campus.
• Most freshmen live in double rooms.
• Upper-class students have the opportunity to claim single rooms, suites and apartments.
• A variety of housing options are offered to meet student lifestyles.
• Residents may choose from a variety of meal plans and different meal locations.
• Residents have many opportunities to gain leadership skills through their involvement within the Residence Halls. These opportunities include being a CA, or being a member of various Residence Hall Associations (RHA).
• Residents seeking employment opportunities can work in various aspects of Residential Life. The following positions are available on a continuous basis: working as an Office Assistant, working in maintenance and facility services, working as Hall Mail Staff, working as Hobo Hangout staff and working as a Community Assistant or Senior Community Assistant.

National research has shown that students who live in residence halls are more likely to be satisfied with their college experience, complete their education, have a higher level of involvement in campus activities and maintain higher GPAs than their off-campus peers. This is largely due to living closely among peers in an educational environment and being near campus resources.

Highlights of Campus Living

Convenience is very valuable for busy college students. Beyond being in an environment where you will develop lasting friendships, living on-campus offers the following conveniences:

• Close walking distances to classes, computer labs, the library and recreational areas
• All-you-can-eat meals in Larson Commons, as well as other various options including: Jackrabbit C-Store, Java City, Papa Johns, SDSU Dairy Bar, Village Market, Weary Wil's, The Market, Medary Commons, Food for Thought and Einstein Bros. Bagels
• A variety of programs and activities within your living area
• Nearby parking for all residence halls
• Lounges to gather with friends and study groups
• Quiet places to study
• Fun & friends – There's always something going on!

Residential Life Staff

Each residence hall has a number of CA's (Community Assistants) who are selected and trained to assist with student concerns – personal, social, and academic. Together, the CA's and the Residence Hall Directors plan social, recreational, service, educational and diversity programs for the halls. Area Residence Hall Directors (RHD's) and Complex Directors (CD's) are professional, full-time staff members who live on campus are responsible for the management of their area, its various facilities and operations and the social and economic development of the residents that live in their area. Additionally, the Residence Hall Directors supervise the CA staff, advise programming and are available for individual assistance and referrals to other University services.

Accommodations and Services Offered

Our 11 residence halls offer students a variety of living options. Most freshmen will be placed in a double room with a roommate in a Freshman Hall. Students may also make residence hall and roommate requests on their Housing application. Students with physical or health needs are able to arrange their special requests directly with Residential Life at 605-688-5148. (We also encourage you to get in touch with our Disabilities Services Coordinator at 605-692-6211.)  Each residence hall and room comes equipped with the following services:

• Hall Desk
• Mail Delivery
• Package Deliveries
• Phone Line
• Vending Machines
• Laundry Facilities (located in all residence halls)
• Kitchenettes
• Safety and Security
• Internet Port or Wireless Internet

Housing Options

There are several room types available:

• Double Room
• Designed Single Room
• Double as Single Room (one occupant)
• Multiple as a Double Room (two occupants)

We Also Offer Several Living Learning Communities or Themed Housing Types:

Living Learning Communities (LLC)

• Academic Residential LLC I — Spencer Hall (Jackrabbit Village), freshman transition option with extra academic support and a special focus on college success
• Ag/Bio LLC — Hansen Hall, students enrolled in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
• Engineering LLC — Mathews Hall, students enrolled in the College of Engineering
• Health Professionals LLC — Mathews Hall, students enrolled in any health-related major
• Honors College LLC — Mathews Hall, students participating in the Honors College

Themed Housing

• Healthy Lifestyles — Brown Hall, students interested in wellness and making healthy life choices
• Fine & Performing Arts — Binnewies Hall, any student interested in learning about, participating in or sharing an appreciation for the arts (need not be enrolled in a related major)
• Jacks Fanatics — Young Hall, students interested in learning about, building on and creating Jackrabbit traditions and sharing SDSU pride
• Quiet Lifestyles — Abbott Hall (Jackrabbit Village) & Pierson Hall, students interested in a quieter living environment that will include extended quiet hours
• TIOTI — Brown Hall, students interested in learning about American Indian history and culture; will involve a close relationship with the American Indian Education and Cultural Center

Family Student Housing 

Family Student Housing is available for Students with a spouse or dependent(s). Our community consists of forty-eight one-bedroom State Court apartments, thirty-two one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom State Village apartments providing quality and economical housing for eligible students. They are communities which provide opportunities for adult students to meet and socialize with other students as well as a place for children to interact and learn together.

We encourage you to familiarize yourself and your family with the FSH handbook. It is designed to provide you with information about the services and policies pertaining to life in Family Student Housing (FSH). If you should have further questions about Family Student Housing, please contact Department of Residential Life personnel at 605-688-5148. The office is located in 167 Caldwell Hall and is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except weekends and holidays.

Living in a community comes with rights and responsibilities. It takes everyone working together to create and maintain a safe and comfortable living environment. The FSH Manager is an excellent resource for you for living in FSH and being a student at SDSU. The FSH Manager works with you in the development of the community. For more information, click the links below.

Check out these sites for more information on apartments in Brookings:

• Brookings Chamber
• Brookings Apartments

Disclaimer: SDSU does not manage, update, verify or recommend one rental company over another. The links listed above are solely provided for prospective students to gain insight into various housing options within the Brookings community.

Early Arrivals

Finally, if you are an international student wishing to move into the Residence Halls prior to the "official opening date," you may do so by contacting the Housing and Residential Life Department to complete your housing forms and let them know of your need to move in earlier than the opening day.