By Walter Ryce

In President Vanya Quiñones’ State of the University address on Nov. 30, 2022, she listed among the university’s opportunities: “improvement of student and community experience” and “increase a sense of belonging and engagement.”

That is expected to manifest in many ways, from modest to substantial; some new changes are already underway while others will be unveiled in the near future.

In October, Quiñones invited the campus community to join her in The Plunge, a frantic run and frolic in the chilly waves of the Pacific Ocean at Monterey State Beach. Two dozen people took her up on that first invitation, which was followed by hot chocolate around a beach bonfire, and Quiñones hopes to make it an annual tradition.

Another new tradition in the making is Otter Thursday, a weekly event kicking off at noon on Feb. 2 at the Otter Student Union, in which the campus is encouraged to wear your Otter gear and showcase your school spirit. 

Various campus departments share other new or improved ways students, faculty and staff can increase a sense of belonging and engagement.

 

Associated Students

Zack Simmons is the program and communications coordinator for the Associated Students.

He reports that — in addition to their usual weekly events, resources and scholarships, advocacy and leadership development — in April they are organizing Otterlands, a campus-wide music festival focused on sustainability.

Another big developments coming from them is a campaign due to launch at the end of this month to propose an increase to the AS fee beginning next academic year.

“This fee goes to support over 80 student clubs, campus events, farmers markets, scholarships for capstone projects and books, and more,” Simmons says. The fee increase proposal will be voted by the student body during the AS elections happening March 20-22.

To stay up-to-date and involved with Associated Students, you can follow them on social media @as_csumb.

 

Recreation

This department is a focal point for fun outdoor activities for the student and campus community.

“We’re rolling out intramural sports and programming,” says the director, Rick Dawson. “We have a couple of overnight camping trips for students, starting with one at Pinnacles National Park. Intramural sports like flag football, five-on-five basketball, indoor volleyball.”

The intramural sports will begin in February. Joining those will be spin classes in the Student Center, Building 12, which is also the headquarters for the Recreation Department (office hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mon-Sat). 

But other events start as soon as Saturday, Jan. 28, with a Sunset Hike (3:30 - 6 p.m.) in which the group treks from campus to the beach and back. The next day, Sunday, is their Coastal Ride (10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) along the Monterey Peninsula Rec Trail, to Monterey and back. 

But their big signature event this semester is the National Rec Day on Feb. 22 on the North Quad, which is aligned with the nationwide Collegiate Recreation Day.

“It’s an expo of all Recreation services and programs,” Dawson says. “Outdoor rec, intramural, music, spin, sand volleyball, ultimate frisbee, demo bikes, bike rides, tents and sleeping bags and backpacks.”

He says to watch for these and more in MyRaft, and suggests signing up for the Recreation newsletter while you’re there.

 

Dining Services

Vanessa Parra, marketing manager for Otter Kitchens, says they have new expanded options this semester.

On the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., they have invited a variety of food trucks to come supplement the campus food choices.

“We will have a different one each week since we know students and faculty have requested that,” Parra says.

They are also working in more diversity in the cuisine, including selections of Asian, soul food, Mediterranean and Latin American inspired offerings.

Along those lines, they are catering the APIA (Asian Pacific Islander Affinity) Lunar New Year Celebration lunch at the Dining Commons, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31. The menu is expected to include foods such as bao buns, dumplings, stir fry and more.

There will be more such special foodie events, which will be posted as they are finalized on the Dining Services web page.

 

Information Technology

New this semester, the campus will unveil a Student Success Hub to help students with interactions such as managing appointments with academic advisors. 

Network Services has doubled bandwidth from central campus to the Internet (20 GB) and quadrupled bandwidth internally within the central campus (40 GB).

For employees, Zoom phones will soon replace desk phones, allowing calls via a desktop client or mobile app, while keeping the same extensions.

IT reminds the campus community that a walk-up Technology Help Desk is located near the Library Cafe and is available after hours on weekdays and weekends. More at the IT web page or 831-582-HELP.

 

Otter Student Union

Jeff Rensel, director of this hub of campus life, highlights a few of their coming events for the campus community to put on their calendars.

Identity Workshop with 2nd Year Experience - Thursday, Feb. 9, 1-3 p.m.
This workshop is aimed at exploring your unique identity through a conversation about privilege, intersectionality, and your college journey, and crafting vision boards or identity boxes.

All Black Gala - Sunday, Feb. 26, 4 - 6 p.m.
A formal event that celebrates the immense diversity of Black history, culture, brilliance, and lived experiences. This inclusive event is open to everyone to cultivate community and learn from one another.

WOW Fest: World of Women Festival - Tuesday, March 14, 1 - 2 p.m.
An unforgettable, live experience with musical performances from a variety of womxn musicians.

Rensel reminds the campus community that the Otter Student Union is an ideal setting for meetings, conferences, activities, and special events. See the OSU web page for more.

 

Student Housing and Residential Life

The director of Student Housing and Residential Life, Jeff Cooper, points to new developments underway.

“We have an ongoing renovation project in our Residence Halls to improve the living spaces for our students,” Cooper says. “This includes upgrades in the bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as common areas where we are  adding or replacing lounge furniture.”

He says they are also hosting a number of programs throughout the semester and encourages students to check MyRaft for coming information. And he reminds students that housing selection will kick off in March for the 2023-24 academic year.

See the SHRL web page for more.