Cherish Johnson smiles as she moves into Cal State Dominguez Hills’ student housing in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Cal State Dominguez Hills’ freshman move into student housing in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Cal State Dominguez Hills’ freshman move into student housing in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The new dining commons at Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Elijah Singh serves himself lunch inside Cal State Dominguez Hills’ new dining commons in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Adrian Fonseca, center, moves into Cal State Dominguez Hills’ student housing in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Baked goods available inside the new dining commons at Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Cal State Dominguez Hills’ freshman move into student housing in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Laporsha Strain helps her daughter London Wilson during Cal State Dominguez Hills’ move-in day in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Esmeralda Guillen, center, of CSUDH Dance performs for freshman students during move-in day in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Esmeralda Guillen, center, of CSUDH Dance performs for freshman students during move-in day in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From right, Resident Assistant Secilia Valenzuela helps Cynthia Hernandez find the Innovation Building at Cal State Dominguez Hills during move-in day in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Brenda Sanchez helps Lourdes Cardenas load her belongings during Cal State Dominguez Hills’ move-in day in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Eddie Clark, left, helps his daughter, Elayna Clark during Cal State Dominguez Hills’ move-in day in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Cherish Johnson smiles as she moves into Cal State Dominguez Hills’ student housing in Carson on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
More than 200 Cal State Dominguez Hills freshmen moved into a new dorm building on Thursday, Aug. 20 — with the 2026-27 academic year only a few days away.
New students and their parents spent Thursday exploring the campus, taking in both the historic and new facilities, before classes officially start on Monday, Aug. 24.
Montana Bailey, a CSUDH alum and Sherman Oaks resident, was helping her daughter move into her new dorm room on Thursday and said she loved the facility and was excited for her daughter to enjoy campus life.
The new freshmen-only residential facility, called Phase IV, is a four-story building with a mix of single, double and triple rooms. The building can house up to 288 students and includes a lounge, multipurpose room, living room, laundry room, communal bathrooms and a courtyard.
“The room is gorgeous,” Bailey said, adding that she feels comfortable with her daughter starting the next phase of her life at CSUDH.
“It’s a very proud moment … to pass the legacy along,” she said. “Education is very important in our family and she had so many other choices, but she decided to go to school right in her backyard.”
CSUDH has historically been considered a commuter school, but that is changing, said Jeff Cooper, interim executive director of housing and residential education – especially with the addition of the university’s first dining hall that’s west of the new dorm building.
“We’re transforming the Toro experience,” Cooper said. “The opening of Phase IV and the opening of the dining commons are a culmination of beginning to transform the campus into more of a residential campus from what has largely been a commuter experience. We’re creating a home away from home.”
Before this year, CSUDH had never had a dining hall, only a handful of retail options throughout campus. But the university has contracted with Aramark to create a buffet-style dining hall, with meal plans ranging from $2,300 to $2,950 per semester.
The joint development project cost $97 million and has taken about two years to complete. But $20 million of that money came from a state grant, allowing the university to offer affordable housing rates to eligible students.
“Providing affordable student housing for low-income students will reduce the total cost of attendance, improve student graduation rates and support student success,” the project description says. “This project will allow CSUDH to provide housing to designated low-income students and bolster direct access to affordable student housing for those students in the most need.
“The university’s vision is to provide a model for on-campus housing access and equity for all students, regardless of income level,” the description adds. “This project will increase access for underserved low-income students and support their success in achieving a higher education degree.”
Because of this, eligible students can have a housing rate as low as $3,400 per semester.
Another major infrastructure project at CSUDH is the new $85 million Health, Wellness & Recreation Center, which will open in September. The new center will feature a gymnasium with activity courts, elevated running track, training rooms, an outdoor swimming pool and a dance studio.
Other amenities include satellite psychological services, a mental health center, student health center, nutrition counseling, and a stress reduction and relaxation room.
“It’s a very exciting time for students to attend Dominguez Hills and be a part of the Toro community,” Cooper said. “I really do feel things are transforming for the university. This is the time to take notice of CSUDH because of the way the campus feels right now. It is going to be very different over the next few years with the new facilities coming online.”