CSU Board of Trustees approves SDSU’s Evolve Student Housing

The Evolve Student Housing development to meet the demand for on-campus living has been approved by the California State University (CSU) system’s Board of Trustees, permitting construction of the project to begin. 

Evolve is part of SDSU’s long-term strategy to accommodate first-year, sophomore and upper-division students. The project does not increase student enrollment, but is designed to meet the current need for additional housing in a San Diego market that is both highly competitive and expensive. 

“Access to safe, affordable and high-quality housing is fundamental to student success. The SDSU Evolve project is not just a housing development – it is a commitment to our students’ well-being, sense of belonging and their academic achievements,” said SDSU President Adela de la Torre. 

“Evolve directly addresses the urgent need for more student-centered housing in our region, where rising living costs and limited availability have made it increasingly difficult for students to live near campus and fully engage in university life,” de la Torre also said. “I am grateful for the support of the CSU, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and many others, as this project will directly aid how we support our students and, given the many benefits to living on campus, help ensure their timely graduation.” 

Manny Carrillo, who just graduated this month with his degree in criminal justice and international security and conflict resolution, spoke during the board meeting in support of the plan. 

“These past years were truly transformational. I built lifelong friendships–and I was inspired by my freshman year Residential Advisor to become one myself and support students in their transition to college,” said Carrillo, who was a community assistant in several sophomore communities and lived in university housing all four years of his time at SDSU. 

“Supporting the Evolve project means giving future students the same opportunity to grow, connect, and gain life-changing experiences that can’t be learned in the classroom,” he also said, adding that he currently lives in the very location where the Evolve project is to be built.

System, city support SDSU’s project

The project will be completed over several phases. Once completed Evolve will introduce up to seven new residential buildings, approximately 5,200 beds (about a 4,500 net expansion) and one new amenities building to accommodate about 4,500 students. It is the largest student housing expansion in SDSU’s history, and one of the largest student housing projects in the CSU system. 

In addition to support from both the CSU and Board of Trustees at the board’s May 21 meeting, the university received a letter of support from the City of San Diego. 

“San Diego’s future depends on tackling our housing crisis head-on—and that includes housing for students,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. "SDSU’s Evolve project is a smart, sustainable solution that puts student housing where it belongs: close to campus, transit, and services. This project will ease housing pressure on surrounding neighborhoods, strengthen our regional housing strategy, and help more students succeed. I urge elected leaders at every level to support it.”

During the 2024-25 academic year, about 8,500 students lived in SDSU residential communities. SDSU’s residential communities also provide live-in faculty and staff support, STAR Centers with academic resources, and Residential Learning Communities for shared interests. Programming includes leadership development, career planning, and peer advising, fostering community, academic success well-being, and preparation for experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad, internships and research.

Major development to benefit students 

SDSU biology junior Katy Moore, outgoing president of the university’s Residence Hall Association, also spoke in favor of the project at the board meeting. 

“One of the biggest challenges is helping students who live further from campus feel connected to SDSU student life,” Moore said. “Expanding residential housing and amenities would increase engagement by allowing RHA to host events in various locations, making it easier for all students to participate and feel a stronger sense of community and belonging.” 

Three key buildings are planned to open as part of the first phase of the Evolve Housing project, to be located at 55th Street and Aztec Circle Drive, as well as Montezuma Road and 55th Street, near University Towers. Those buildings are: 

• Tarastec: A suite-style community with a private bathroom shared by roommates, designed to accommodate either first-year or sophomore students based on demand. The room layouts are similar in design to those of South Campus Plaza. The building will offer double occupancy room types, the most popular room type based on past demand.
• Templo del Sol: A community center featuring dining facilities, communal spaces, food services, conference rooms and mailing services. This space is designed to foster connection, convenience and collaboration among residents and the campus community.
• University Towers East: A traditional-style hall with communal bathrooms, designed to accommodate first-year students. The building will offer double occupancy room types.

With CSU approval, construction will begin later this year, with the first phase of completion set for 2027. 

“Providing additional on-campus housing is an investment in student success, ensuring that more students have access to financially competitive, convenient housing that supports their academic journey,” said Robert Schulz, associate vice president of Real Estate, Planning & Development. 

“On-campus housing fosters community, enhances on-campus engagement (higher utilization of academic support resources, higher use of co-curricular and on-campus recreational spaces which support health and wellbeing),” Schultz also said. “And it also helps improve retention and graduation rates while helping to reduce living costs, which are absolutely some of our most important priorities in service to our students at SDSU.” 

More information about the project is available on the Evolve Student Housing project page.