Following the doldrums of summer, the CSU Monterey Bay campus erupted with activity last week with events welcoming new and returning students. Things kicked off with Move-in Day, Aug. 18, and ran through a full week of Otter Days activities. 

"We had a tremendous start to the semester with many days of activities to welcome our incoming class of 2027, along with our new transfer and graduate students and our returning students,” said President Vanya Quiñones. “I am grateful for all the staff and faculty who coordinated the events, and who turned out to show our students how strong our Otter Raft is when we gather together."

Here’s just a sampling of what took place during the frenetic week:

Aug. 18: Move-in Day 

“Welcome to CSUMB!” bellowed student life coordinator Patterson Emesibe, standing in Parking Lot 18, near the west-campus dorms that morning. “I’m sure you’ve heard my voice! Focus on unloading your cars!” 

Emesibe was among an army of staffers, resident advisors, students and others from campus wearing vivid blue T-shirts that read, “Welcome Home.” Part of the Otter Welcome Team, they were there to greet students and help them carry, roll and drag their stuff into their new homes. 

Aug. 20: The Otter Plunge 

The frigid waters of Monterey Bay were no deterrent to about 500 students, staff, administrators and faculty who braved the chill and jumped into the surf. Dan Burfiend, one of the organizers of the Otter Plunge, said the idea was to use the beach – one of CSUMB’s most popular attributes – to bring the campus community together in the spirit of fun. 

“A tradition like this has to be simple and repeatable,” Burfiend said. “Vanya has been the biggest cheerleader for it. She runs in the water herself.” 

She did so not once, but twice, and joined students around a bonfire for s’mores and hot drinks.

Aug. 20: RecFest

From giant inflatable balls students could climb inside and roll away in, to inflatable climbing walls and obstacle courses, RecFest brought a sense of celebration and fun as Move-in Weekend wound down.

Aug. 20: Late Night with OSU

The games continued, on a smaller scale, inside the Otter Student Union as the late hour brought out students hungry for pizza, drinks and music.

Aug. 21: New Student Convocation

First-year and transfer students were given free T-shirts and Otter pins as a welcome to the campus. President Quiñones took a selfie with the new class and instructed them on the importance of “rafting up” as a community. “From now on you’re an Otter,” she said to the rows of young faces seated in the World Theater. “You belong here. This is your university.”

Aug. 21: College Mixers
Social games and a casual setting gave students the opportunity to meet faculty and staff in their respective colleges and to get to know one another a little better. 

Aug. 21: Parenting Student Mixer

Parenting students gathered at the HUB to socialize at an event sponsored by Basic Needs. 

Aug. 21: Ice Cream Social

Cold comfort brought students together for free ice cream and the chance to socialize on the main quad.

Aug. 22: Campus Cookout

An estimated 2,000 students, faculty, staff and administrators came to the main quad for a midday barbecue combined with gaming activities. It was a true Otter picnic. 

“We had 2,400 burgers, 1,700 hot dogs, 300 vegan hot dogs, 300 Impossible burgers, 2,000 cookies, including 700 vegan horchata cookies,” said Michael Kimmel, executive chef for campus caterer Chartwells. “There were 2,000 portions of corn and black bean salad and we spent $1,000 on watermelons.”

Yum!

Aug. 23: Bienvenidos con Burritos

You can’t learn well on an empty stomach. Students were well fed on the first day of class as the First-Year Experience program offered free breakfast burritos at the Otter Student Union. 

Aug. 23: OSU Block Party

Celebrating the first day of classes, the Otter Cross Cultural Center hosted its annual OC3 Block Party at midday. Celebrating the start of the academic year, it brought students, staff, faculty and community partner organizations together. Local artists performed and promoted the diversity of the campus and community.

Aug 24: OSU Open House

If you thought the OSU was partied out, you were wrong. The afternoon open house provided students with free food and swag and the chance to win prizes. 

Aug: 25: Monte Royale: Casino Night

Students had the excitement of trying their luck at various casino-style games. And, of course, there was food and fun prizes.

Aug. 26: Fall Sports Alumni Tailgate Party

Current CSUMB women's volleyball, women's soccer, and men's soccer teams went head-to-head with alumni from each sport during an afternoon of intense competition mixed with light-hearted fun.

Aug. 27: Party in Divarty Quad

This event brought Otter Days to an end on Sunday. The party in the Divarty Quad allowed students one last chance to dance before the first full week of classes.