Students pack in hopes and dreams on the big Move-In Day
A student accompanied by their mother on Move-in Day 2023 | Photo by Brent Dundore-Arias
August 18, 2023
By Walter Ryce
"Move-In Day is the most exciting time of the year at a university, after graduation,” said CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones, who circulated among the students and parents pushing carts and lugging bags into campus dorms on Friday, Aug. 18.
“The students arriving with their parents, families and supporters bring a renewing energy with them to California State University Monterey Bay,” Quiñones said. “We see the hopes and dreams of all these families as they move their boxes, bedding and personal items into the residential halls.”
One of the unique sounds of Move-in Day on this campus comes from Patterson Emesibe, residential life coordinator, shouting gregarious greetings and directions to arriving students and their families and friends.
“Welcome to CSUMB!” he bellowed, standing in the parking lot west of campus Friday morning, the first day of Move-in Weekend. “I’m sure you’ve heard my voice! Focus on unloading your cars!”
He was among an army of staffers, resident advisors, students and others from campus wearing vivid blue T-shirts that read, “Welcome Home,” who were part of the Otter Welcome Team to greet students and help them move in.
Another helper was Flavia Calusdian from the IT Department. She and others staffed trash and recycling dumpsters to collect detritus from students. But her support wasn’t limited to that.
“We’ll do whatever folks need,” she said.
That ethic, along with more early collaboration and planning, made for a harmonious operation that was described as “smooth” — from emails explaining the process, to parking officers managing traffic; from signage leading new folks across campus, to tables of free snacks and water.
Jeff Cooper, director of Student Housing and Residential Life, reported that campus housing is expected to reach 98% capacity this fall. About 3,300 students are expected to move into campus housing in August.
As in the past, staffers played music at different posts around campus, filling the atmosphere with popular youth-oriented songs by Drake, Miley Cirus, Bruno Mars and others.
It all helped keep the spirits up as people circulated across campus and into residence halls, pushing carts provided by the university, lugging boxes, pulling wheeled luggage and shouldering bags.
That ease was appreciated by Nolan Rogerson, a freshman majoring in marine science who drove eight hours from Las Vegas the day before with his family.
“Moving is good,” he said. “I have quite a bit of stuff. After I’m done I’m just going to chill, get used to the area.”
He said he chose CSUMB because of the university’s proximity to the Monterey Bay and close ties with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, he has family nearby, and he likes the region’s weather and the university’s affordability. He also appreciated the abundant communication.
“I saw the email about the activities,” he said.
He was referring to Otter Days, a series of more than 30 special events Aug. 18 - 27 that helps students make friendships and fun memories, including parties, recreational games, a bike ride, a cookout, karaoke, open house tours, sporting events, movies and more.
While students, families and volunteers walked past, engaged in moving activity, Sofia Gamboa of Redondo Beach and her mother Monica sat on a bench in the middle of campus. Sofia said they were waiting for her sister Camilia, an incoming freshman majoring in kinesiology, who was making a run to Target with their father to buy a mini fridge.
“We did a self-tour and walked around campus before. Camilia and our dad came up for orientation,” said Sofia, who attends San Diego State University. “[CSUMB] is a small campus but we love it.”
They both concurred that move-in was proving to be an efficient process, and that campus staff and volunteers were good at connecting with, and helping families.
“Camilia is really excited,” Monica said about her daughter’s aspirations at CSUMB. “Extremely excited.”
The campus is poised to meet and reward that kind of energy.
"As I walked around campus today, I saw so many staff, faculty and students helping our new arrivals feel welcome and find their way,” Quiñones said. “Move-In Day is an excellent example of the strong Otter Raft we have at CSUMB and the type of support our students will find all year long."