Health & Safety

Your Health

Staying healthy is important when you are a student. Make an effort to stay active, eat nutritious foods, get enough sleep, and find time to relax. You'll feel better and find the pressures of college life easier to handle.

On-campus Health Care

All SDSU health care services are located in Calpulli Center.

  • Student Health Services provides a full range of medical services for students. Services include a pharmacy, X-ray lab, immunizations, dermatologist, family planning services, orthopedic care, health education workshops, and more.
  • SDSU Health Promotion encourages a healthy lifestyle and holds health-related events on campus, and educates students on health topics including sexual health and family planning.
  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers Talk It Out, workshops, telephone access to a therapist, the Center for Well-Being, and more.
  • Student Ability Success Center provides assistive technology, test accommodation, campus access for students with disabilities, and more.

I have insurance. Where do I go if I get sick?

Start with Student Health Services (SHS), located in Calpulli Center. Bring your SDSU student ID card (Red ID) with you. Even if SHS cannot solve your problem, they will refer you to someone who can.

Emergency Healthcare

If your injury or illness is life-threatening, if you are bleeding uncontrollably, or if you feel your injury could result in permanent physical damage, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Room. Take your health insurance card with you, because you will probably be asked for it before you see a doctor.

Hospitals near SDSU include:

Immunizations

Learn about which immunizations are required for you, where you can get immunized, and how you can prove that you have been immunized. If you do not provide proof of required immunization during your first semester at SDSU, you will not be allowed to register for classes the next semester.

What is immunization?

Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body's own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. [Source]

Immunization Requirements

Required immunizations for all enrolled students:

  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunization required: Two doses required with first dose on or after your first birthday; OR positive titer (laboratory evidence of immunity to disease).
  • Varicella (Chickenpox): Two doses with first dose on or after your first birthday; OR positive titer. History of contracting the disease does not satisfy this requirement.
  • Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis (Tdap): One dose after age 7.
  • Meningococcal conjugate (Serogroups A, C, Y, & W-135): At least one dose at age 16 or older for students up to age 23.
  • Meningococcal B (Meningitis B): If you are age 16-23. Complete series is required, may be 2 or 3 doses.
  • Hepatitis B (Hep B): If you are age 18 or under, you are required to complete this series. Based on type of vaccine, the series is either 2 or 3 doses (California Health & Safety Code, Sec. 120390.5)
  • Screening/Risk Assessment - Tuberculosis (TB): All incoming students must complete a Tuberculosis risk questionnaire. The questionnaire will be available May 1, 2019. Incoming students who are at a higher risk for TB.

Note - How to calculate your U.S. age: Americans count the first year of life at "0" and then turn "1" year old on their first birthday.

For more information on strongly recommended immunizations, please visit the Student Health Services Immunizations page.

2. How to provide proof of immunization

You must provide proof of immunization during your first semester at SDSU before you can register for classes for the second semester. We recommend that you upload the documents showing proof of your immunizations online through the secure HealtheConnect beginning May 1, 2019. Positive laboratory evidence of immunity may also be used to prove immunization status.

For students in San Diego, you can also bring your proof of immunization to:

Student Health Services Immunization Clinic
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4701

  • Be sure to include your Red ID number (from your SDSU student ID card), and your home country or U.S. phone number and address.

3. For additional information

If you would like additional information, call (619) 594-4325, email [email protected] or visit the Student Health Services website.

Personal Safety

Safety has always been a concern for international students. After arriving in a foreign country, you must adapt to your new environment and behave in ways that will keep you and your possessions safe.

ISC safety advice

To help insure your personal safety, the International Student Center advises you to:

  • Be alert: Wherever you travel, always be observant of your surroundings. Glance around you from time to time, and remain aware of others in your vicinity. Don't wear earbuds when you are traveling or walking in public. Law enforcement agencies state that many crimes could be averted if people would be more alert to their surroundings.
  • Don't walk alone at night: Whether you are on campus or off campus, it’s best to walk in pairs or groups. Parking and Trasnportation Services provides a Red & Black Shuttle program as well as various transportation options and resources when you leave the library, lab or must walk to your car after dark.
  • Keep your valuables safe: Theft is one of the most common crimes on and off campus. Do not leave your personal belongings on a desk in the library and walk away, even for a moment. A thief can quickly steal your personal computer, purse, wallet, cell phone, etc. Never leave valuables in an unlocked car. Even if doors are locked, a thief can break the window. Keep valuables locked in the trunk or otherwise hidden from view.

SDSU works to keep students safe

In addition to after-dark escort service, SDSU provides a variety of other safety services, including the following:

  • The SDSU Police Department maintains around 100 “blue-light” emergency phones throughout the campus. These phones provide immediate access to Police Department at the push of a button.
  • Parents and family members may subscribe to SDSU's Emergency Alert System to receive a text or email in the event of any emergency or safety concern on campus.
  • Link to more information about student safety at SDSU.