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Cal State San Bernardino updates Palm Desert on Student Success Center construction and net-zero plans

Palm Desert City Council · January 9, 2026

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Summary

CSUSB representatives reported construction progress on the new Student Success Center—topping out accomplished and second-floor deck being poured—and said the campus is pursuing renewable energy through a feasibility study with Edison and a power purchase agreement to aim for net-zero energy.

Cal State San Bernardino officials updated the Palm Desert City Council Jan. 8 on the Student Success Center under construction at the Palm Desert campus.

Jenny Sorensen, chief administrative officer for CSUSB, said the project — funded in 2022 following advocacy from local leaders — has topped out and is now pouring the second-floor deck. Renderings were shown and partners on the project include CW Driver (contractor) and LPA (architect). Sorensen said a special agreement with the Coachella Valley Water District moves the project closer to receiving water by March 2.

Sorensen also described a feasibility study with Southern California Edison to explore renewable energy and a power purchase agreement for covered solar parking that could help the campus aim to be the CSU system’s first net-zero energy campus. The project is targeted for completion in 2027.

Council members congratulated campus staff on construction milestones and the presentation closed with an invitation to follow construction progress.