By Mark Muckenfuss

Students returning to Cal State Monterey Bay after the holiday break will have no trouble finding things to do their first week back. A slew of events have been planned from Jan. 19 - 28.

Kaci Turpin, director of New Student Programs, said the scheduled offerings are a way for students to share new experiences, gain valuable knowledge and have some fun. 

“I would encourage students to step out of their comfort zones this first week,” Turpin said. “There’s something for everyone.”

That includes such things as glow-in-the-dark volleyball, bingo, Otter sporting events, karaoke, movie night, a morning with free breakfast burritos, a pep rally and the Winter Ball. 

Ben Corpus, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, said the week is a chance for students to engage in activities that range from boosting their professional profiles to just taking a break from to have some fun.

“This is a testament to our commitment to excellence in education and student life, setting CSUMB apart from other institutions,” Corpus said. “This week will be about building individuals and bridges – between students and leaders, dreams and realities, education and practical application.”

Many of the scheduled events regularly happen during welcome weeks in the fall and spring, but some are new, such as the area welcome events planned for Friday night, Jan. 19, following the mandatory welcome meeting from 6-7 p.m. 

In the past, only one welcome activity was offered at a central location. This semester, each residential area will have its own activity for residential students from 7-8 p.m:

• Main Quad: Cookie decorating
• Pinnacles and Promontory quads: Plant a succulent you can take home
• East Campus Saratoga Center: Game night with board and video games available

Joshelyn Martin, assistant director for programs and engagement, said students needn’t worry if they prefer planting things to decorating cookies, the activities are open to all students, regardless of their housing area. 

Martin said the events are a chance for students to meet peers and staff members.

“It lets people know this is an enjoyable place to be,” she said.

There are also more practical events, such as new-student orientations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20; a campus-jobs fair in the Otter Student Union Ballroom from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23; and a health and wellness RESET event on the main quad from 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24.

Turpin is hoping a new craft-oriented event will prove popular. From 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, in the east lounge of Building 12, students can make their own set of otter ears.

“This is kind of playing off of Disneyland’s mouse ears,” Turpin said, “only this is otter ears. We’re thinking if anyone wanted to have some fun at the ball, they could wear them there.”

Ah yes, the Winter Ball, sort of the culmination of the weeklong series of events. It was held for the first time last year. Turpin said organizers were hoping 200 people would come. Instead, it drew a crowd of 800. 

“We were pleasantly surprised,” she said. “It’s kind of a celebration of, ‘You finished your first week!’”

That celebration will be from 8-11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, in the OSU Ballroom. DJ Menace will be pumping out the tunes this year. There will be a photo booth, a caricature artist, and free snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.

For a full list of events visit the Welcome Back Week web page. An additional set of activities can be found on the Elevate and Engage web page. Students are encouraged to register early.