Thousands of Sacramento State students are moving into campus housing this week as the university begins a new school year with a new housing requirement and an entirely new residence hall.
Beginning this school year, first-year students are required to live on campus for their first two academic years, with some exceptions.
To help increase housing capacity, Sacramento State is also opening its brand-new residence hall, Mt. Whitney Hall. The five-story building provides 335 new beds for first-year students.
The new first-year housing requirement received some pushback when it was first announced last fall.
The university argues students who live on campus have reliable access to resources that contribute to academic success. Others have raised concerns about the added financial burden and the university’s housing capacity.
Sacramento State emphasizes that students can apply for exemptions based on age, military or veteran status, financial hardship and other circumstances.
Dr. Nadine Kelley, Sacramento State’s associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, said the university has prepared for the additional students living on campus.
“We get a few more students, but we have, we have planned for it. We’ve hired additional staffing. We’re going to be doing some embedding of academic advising liaisons to help with some early intervention for students and a lot of our college deans approached us with an amazing opportunity to expand our living learning community,” Kelley said.
Meanwhile, students and their families were welcomed Wednesday morning by the Sacramento State pep band and cheer squad as they checked in for the new school year.
Many first-year students said they are looking forward to what is ahead in their college years.
“It feels so exciting. I’m so grateful for my family for helping me with this journey, and I’m just, I’m so excited to get this started,” first-year student Gabriela Penick said.
First-year student Jaionna Bowmas said she is looking forward to the opportunities college will bring.
“I can’t wait to become what I want to become later on in the future, making new bonds and stuff. Just experience that whole college experience,” Bowmas said.
Students have been moving in throughout the week. The first day of the fall 2026 semester is Monday, Aug. 31.
Mt. Whitney Hall will house many of those first-year students.
When it comes to concerns about housing capacity, Sacramento State is also highlighting another campus-affiliated housing project, Hornet Place, which will add more than 300 beds. However, that project is not expected to open until the Fall 2027 semester.
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