1.) There’s Very Little On-Campus Housing
This is a big deal for incoming freshmen. San Francisco State University does not have enough on-campus housing for incoming freshmen. If you’re a freshman, the best way to ensure you get a spot in the dorms is to fill out the housing packet and send in your payment as soon as the university starts accepting applications. From there you will either get accepted or be put on a waitlist. The wait list is always a gamble, but if you’re from the Bay Area or are close enough to commute in for a while, there’s a good chance you can get into the dorms a month or two after school has started.
If you’re coming from other parts of California or out of state and are put on the waitlist, it’s important to find other options before classes begin. Many students live in the neighboring Parkmerced apartments. Like all housing in San Francisco, rent can be high and you’ll likely need to find roommates. Many students find themselves stuck without a place to live when school starts. Don’t be one of them!
2.) Parking is a Nightmare
Only bring your car if you feel it’s absolutely necessary. There are two university-sponsored parking areas for students. One is a lot for students who buy a semester permit and the other is for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Most students who bring their cars park in the surrounding community. Most street parking, if you can find it, has a two-hour limit unless you buy a parking pass from the SFMTA.
You will also have to constantly move your car for street cleaning. There are a lot of public transportation options right by campus and a shuttle to take you to BART, so unless you plan on routinely driving out of the city, bringing a car is unnecessary.
3.) The Dungeon is The Best Place To Hangout
The bottom level of the Cesar Chavez Student Center is the Recreation and Dining Level, often referred to as the Dungeon. Here you can grab a sandwich from Ike’s or lunch at Asia Express. There are plenty of tables to sit and eat, vending machines, and microwaves.
The best part is the Rack and Cue, an entertainment area with pool tables, arcade games, and air hockey. The Dungeon is a great place to stop by between classes or to blow off some stress with your friends.
4.) The Vista Room is The Best Place to Grab a Gourmet Meal
Looking for a fine dining gourmet meal on a budget? The Vista Room is an on-campus restaurant and a hands-on lab for hospitality management students.
Reservations are required, and a lunch will only set you back $17. Where else can you get a three-course gourmet meal for that price? The menu changes weekly so you can get your fill of fine dining and support your fellow students.
5.) There’s Not a Lot of School Spirit
SF State doesn’t have a big sports presence on campus. While there’s no football team, there are basketball, baseball, and other sports teams, but they don’t instill the kind of spirit that a football team usually does. If you’re looking for the kind of college experience where students rally together donning school colors and cheering on their teams, you’re probably not going to find it here.
The good news is that there are a lot of clubs and communities on campus that can help fill the void. Whether you want to join a sorority or a movie club, there’s an option for everyone. Clubs and organizations are a great way to meet people, especially on a commuter campus.
Meghan Dubitsky graduated from San Francisco State University in 2011 with a BA in Journalism. She currently works as a web producer and screenwriter.
Frequently asked questions
- How much on-campus housing does SFSU have?
- Very little for incoming freshmen. Apply and pay as soon as applications open, or risk the waitlist, which may not clear until a month or two after school starts.
- Is parking hard at SF State?
- Yes. Two university-sponsored lots, most street parking capped at two hours without an SFMTA pass, and constant moves for street cleaning; the BART shuttle and other transit make a car unnecessary.
- What is the Dungeon at SF State?
- The Recreation and Dining Level on the bottom floor of the Cesar Chavez Student Center, with Ike's, Asia Express, vending machines, microwaves, and the Rack and Cue (pool tables, arcade games, air hockey).
- How much does lunch at the Vista Room cost?
- $17 for a three-course gourmet lunch, reservations required. It is a hands-on lab for hospitality management students and the menu changes weekly.
- How is school spirit at SF State?
- Not football-style: there is no football team, so students don't rally in school colors; clubs, sororities, and communities fill the void on the commuter campus.
Sources
- San Francisco State University, official site (linked in the original article)
- The Vista Room, campus restaurant site (linked in the original article)