College of the DesertStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for College of the Desert. Free for students.

College in Palm Desert, CA. Operating on a semester system.

Free for all College of the Desert students. No credit card required.

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Total Enrollment

College

Institution Type

Student guide · Fall 2026

The semester, explained for College of the Desert

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Fall 2026
Campus terms
11
Local details
13

Academic calendar

Fall 2026 runs Aug 26, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

4 entries
  1. Summer Session 2026
  2. Fall 2026Relevant now
  3. Winter Session 2027
  4. Spring 2027

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

11 terms

A

ASCOD
Associated Students of College of the Desert, the student government body.

D

DSPS
Disabled Students Programs and Services, providing support for students with disabilities.

E

EOPS
Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, a state-funded program for students facing economic or educational challenges.

I

Indio
Common shorthand for the Eastern Valley Center campus located in Indio.

K

KCOD
The campus radio station, run by students and faculty.

M

MESA
Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement program for STEM students.

P

pals
Peer Advisors for Learning and Success, student mentors who assist peers with navigation and resources.

R

Roadrunners
The official mascot and collective name for the student body.

T

The Beeline
The Beeline Cafe, the primary dining location on the Palm Desert campus.
The Den
A common reference to the student dining and lounge area in the Hilb or Student Center areas.
The Desert
A shorthand way students refer to the main Palm Desert campus environment.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

13 details
Add Codes
Permission numbers provided by instructors to allow students to enroll in a class that is already full.
Barker
The Barker Nursing Complex, home to the college's nursing and health sciences programs.
beeps_cafe
Beeps Cafe
BOND
The Business Building, often referred to by its older designation or department focus.
Canvas
The Learning Management System (LMS) where students access course materials and submit assignments.
Cravens
The Cravens Student Services Center, the main hub for admissions, financial aid, and counseling.
Haul Pass
A program providing COD students with free unlimited rides on the SunLine Transit Agency buses.
Hilb
The Hilb Center, which houses the library and various student learning resources.
Late Start
Classes that begin several weeks into the semester rather than on the first day.
MyCOD
The web portal used by students to register for classes, check grades, and access email.
oasis_cafe
Oasis Cafe
Pollock
The Pollock Theater, used for film screenings, lectures, and performances.
SunLine
The local bus system that serves as the primary public transit for students.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Fall 2026 runs Aug 26, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
11 approved campus terms and 13 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Get to know your university

Assisted

Find a few communities to try at College of the Desert

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed
Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

DormWay is still mapping student communities at this campus.

We only show recommendations once we have enough public sources for College of the Desert.

These are things we discovered. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

Recommendations are based on public campus sources. We do not endorse student organizations.

Using DormWay at College of the Desert

What the product handles for students.

Syllabus to schedule

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Workload planning

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Free student access

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College of the Desert on DormWay

Current DormWay activity for this campus

1

Active Students

DormWay integrates with College of the Desert's LMS

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Canvas

Supported

Connect your Canvas account to automatically sync assignments, grades, and course schedules.

Life in Palm Desert for College of the Desert Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Palm Desert.

Timezone

Pacific Time (PT)

Median Rent

$1,717

Cost of Living Index

131

Student Population

8,500

City Transportation

Walkability

29

Bikeability

41

Public Transit

SunLine Transit Agency

Nearest Airports

Palm Springs International Airport, Bermuda Dunes Airport, Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Hot desert

Avg Annual Temp

76.9°F

Avg Snowfall

0 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Lot 28

surface_lot

Contains a cash-option daily permit dispenser.

Lot 2

surface_lot

Visitor parking only; 30-minute limit strictly enforced.

Lot 1, 4, 14, 23

surface_lot

Student parking lots with self-service permit machines.

Campus News

Latest updates from College of the Desert

Welcome Day: Step Into Success This Year!

Incoming Roadrunners were invited to discover resources and connect with the college community to prepare for the new academic year.

Aug 18, 2026

Read More

Palm Springs Campus Takes on a Distinctive New Look

Construction progress at the Palm Springs Campus features new three-dimensional architectural cladding on the Event Center.

Aug 10, 2026

Read More

College of the Desert's First Paramedic Graduates Reach Major Career Milestone

The inaugural graduates of the Paramedic Program are now serving patients in the field, marking a significant milestone for the college's healthcare programs.

Jul 8, 2026

Read More

College of the Desert Earns Full Reaffirmation of Accreditation

The college received full reaffirmation of its accreditation, demonstrating sustained governance reform and institutional success.

Jun 25, 2026

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at College of the Desert

Men's Soccer: Desert at Imperial Valley

September 8, 2026

Imperial Valley

College of the Desert Men's Soccer team competes against Imperial Valley.

Women's Volleyball: Canyons vs. Desert

September 9, 2026

Palm Desert Campus

College of the Desert Women's Volleyball team hosts Canyons.

Open House

September 16, 2026

South Annex 9

Campus open house event for students and the community.

One Future Workshop

September 25, 2026

BSSC (South Annex 9)

Workshop focused on student success and future planning.

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Email Domain

@collegeofthedesert.edu

Plan your semester at College of the Desert

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