UCSD - University of California - San Diego

09/24/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/24/2026 07:13

A First Look at What’s New This Fall

Published Date

September 24, 2026

Article Content

Fall quarter has a way of making campus feel new again. This year, it really is. The long-awaited Triton Center is beginning to open, a new major is bridging business and data science, and new resources and experiences are arriving across campus. Whether this is your first quarter at UC San Diego or your final year, here are some of the changes worth knowing about:

The Triton Center brings together health and well-being services, arts and cultural experiences, and welcoming spaces designed to support connection across the campus community. (Photos by Erik Jepsen, UC San Diego)

A new chapter at the center of campus

The center of campus looks dramatically different than it did just a few months ago. After years of planning and construction, the Triton Center is beginning to open between Center Hall and Price Center, bringing new gathering spaces and essential services to one of UC San Diego's busiest crossroads.

Students are already making use of the first spaces to open within the four-building complex. The Triton Health and Wellness Building brings physical and mental health care under one roof, including primary and urgent care, optometry, a full-service pharmacy and student physical therapy. The Triton Administrative Services Building is the new home of the Teaching and Learning Commons, Triton Transfer Hub and Global Initiatives. Also opening this fall is the Student First Stop, a new in-person and virtual resource hub where peer ambassadors can answer questions, connect students with support services and help make navigating UC San Diego easier and more accessible.

More is still to come, including the Triton Alumni and Welcome Center, Joan and Irwin Jacobs Celebration Hall, and in March 2027, The Strauss Family Gallery. Also taking shape in the Triton Administrative Services Building breezeway is "La asamblea del barro," a new Stuart Collection installation by Mexico City-based collective RojoNegro.

Triton One offers undergraduate students a streamlined, cost-effective way to access required course materials at the start of each quarter. (Photo by Erik Jepsen, UC San Diego)

A new approach to course materials

The start-of-quarter textbook scramble comes with a new option this fall. Triton One gives undergraduate students access to their required textbooks and coursepacks for a flat rate of $199 per quarter.

Most materials will be provided digitally through Canvas, and undergraduate students are automatically enrolled but may opt out by Friday of Week Two. Those who opt out can still purchase eligible digital materials individually through Triton Select.

The campuswide program is designed to make costs more predictable, help students begin coursework right away and reduce the number of books printed and shipped to campus.

A new business data science major, expanded passport services and additional parking options are just a few of the changes taking effect as the academic year begins. (Photos by Artem Peretiatko, iStock; Garry Kosoff, iStock; Erik Jepsen, UC San Diego)

Two disciplines, one new degree

Data science is reshaping how organizations make decisions, and a new undergraduate major gives students the opportunity to study both sides of that equation. Launching this fall, Business Data Science combines the technical expertise of the Halıcıoğlu School of Data Science and Computing with the business strengths of the Rady School of Management.

The first program of its kind in the University of California system, the major pairs programming, statistics and machine learning with subjects such as finance, marketing, strategy and managerial decision-making. Students will bring those skills together in a project-based capstone focused on solving real-world business challenges.

A second stop for passport services

Planning to study abroad or dreaming about your next international trip? Beginning Sept. 28, students, staff and faculty will have a second place to apply for or renew a passport. The new office will be located at the UC San Diego Bookstore's south entrance, across from Triton Print and Digital Media, and will complement the existing passport office in Campus Services Complex Building A.

Open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the location will offer passport applications, passport photos and document photocopies. Same-day appointments can be booked online, and walk-ins are welcome. Notary services will not be available at the Bookstore location. Visit the passport services website for appointment information and other details.

Finding a parking space gets easier

Students commuting to campus will find significantly more S parking at Pangea Parking Structure this fall, with more than 350 additional spaces. Other changes include additional B spaces at Hopkins Parking Structure, more all-day visitor spaces at Scholars Parking Structure and a new lot (P671) near the VA with approximately 330 B spaces. Drivers should check posted signs, as space designations have changed in several locations.

The newly opened Triton Parking Structure also provides patient-priority and two-hour visitor parking for Triton Center destinations. Beyond parking, Triton Transit has resumed regular academic-year shuttle service, and riders can check real-time bus locations and schedules through OneBusAway.

For those getting around on two wheels, a new requirement aims to make e-scooter use safer. Beginning this fall, all e-scooters operated or parked on UC San Diego property must be registered. The process includes brief safety training, confirmation that the rider has access to a helmet and a registration ID that must be displayed on the scooter. Registration for bicycles, e-bikes and other personal micromobility devices is optional but strongly encouraged.

The new Major Exploration website, Triton Esports Center 2 and updated Library resources help students plan their academic paths, connect through hobbies and find a study space that fits. (Photos by Kyle Dykes, UC San Diego Health Sciences and Erik Jepsen, UC San Diego)

A new way to explore what's possible

You may already know what you want to study, but what skills will you build along the way, which experiences can deepen your learning and where might your major take you after graduation? UC San Diego's new Major Exploration website helps connect fields of study with the bigger picture.

Created for prospective and current Tritons alike, the site highlights co-curricular and experiential learning opportunities, the knowledge and skills associated with different majors and the career pathways they can open. It also includes practical information about declaring a major and navigating selective majors.

More ways to play

Saturday study break, anyone? New this fall, Recreation's free Beach Breaks invite students to spend a Saturday afternoon at Scripps Beach, with beach equipment and games provided. The events will take place Oct. 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Gamers also have a new place to play this year. Next to Goody's Marketplace in Marshall College, Triton Esports Center 2 features more than 30 gaming PCs, consoles, a competition stage, broadcast booth and immersive display board. Gaming is available at no cost to students, with free play offered daily from 1 to 5 p.m. The original Triton Esports Center remains open in the RIMAC Annex.

A fresh look at library spaces

Late-night study sessions are back at Geisel Library. After returning in spring 2026, 24/5 access to the 2 East area will continue this fall, giving students a space to study around the clock Sunday through Thursday.

The Library has also revamped its online guide to study spaces, making it easier to find a spot that fits the moment. Students can browse spaces by noise level, individual or group use and features such as natural light, whiteboards, printers and seating. The guide may even lead you to a space you didn't know existed, including Geisel's reservable Sensory Room or Audrey's Cafe, which offers a variety of food and drink to power your study session or perusal of this year's Common Read, "Against Breaking: On the Power of Poetry" by Ada Limón.

Tech help has a new home

Need help connecting to campus Wi-Fi or VPN, accessing email or navigating Duo and single sign-on? The ITS Service Desk has moved its primary walk-in location to 3100 Gilman, on the second floor of the Gilman Parking Structure.

Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Service Desk provides first-tier support for ITS services to students, faculty and staff. The team will also help troubleshoot device issues when possible or connect customers with the appropriate department for additional support.

The new Career Launch platform gives students a clearer picture of the skills they're building and how those strengths can support their future careers. (Photo by Erik Jepsen, UC San Diego)

New tools for career readiness

Which career-ready skills are you already building, and where is there room to grow? The Career Center expanded the Career Launch platform campuswide last year, designed to help students answer those questions.

Students can begin with a free, 15-minute Career Readiness Inventory that provides personalized feedback across key professional competencies. They can retake the assessment throughout their time at UC San Diego to track their progress. A more in-depth "Launch Your Career" program helps students reflect on their experiences, communicate their strengths and develop professional connections. Components of the Career Launch platform may also be incorporated into student employment, courses and other campus programs during the coming year.

Fall adventures at Birch Aquarium include rare access to Scripps Pier, exploration of local tide pools and a new exhibit dedicated to the fan-favorite axolotl. (Photos courtesy of Birch Aquarium at Scripps)

More to explore at Birch Aquarium

This fall brings new ways to experience Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, both inside its galleries and along the coastline. Beginning Sept. 19, Sunset Scripps Pier Walks offer rare access to the research pier, which is typically closed to the public, along with hands-on activities exploring plankton, squid and shark research. Tidepooling Adventures return Nov. 7, giving participants a closer look at the species that thrive where land and ocean meet. Advance registration is required, and tickets are separate from aquarium admission.

Inside the aquarium, The Axolotl's Garden/El Jardín del Ajolote opens Oct. 21. Created in collaboration with Mexican American artist Itzel Islas, the new exhibit will explore the endangered axolotl's remarkable biology and cultural significance while introducing visitors to other species native to Mexico.

UCSD - University of California - San Diego published this content on September 24, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 24, 2026 at 13:14 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]