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Traditions

Welcome Back Week

Welcome Back Week is a series of events starting on Friday, January 19 through Sunday, January 28, 2024. The goal of these programs is to welcome new and returning students back to campus, and provide support for incoming students who are transitioning to CSUMB. All events are designed to support your success as a student and build connections across campus. Check out the 2024 Welcome Back Week events to help kick off your semester! We encourage attendees to register for events in advance using MyRaft.

For any questions or accommodations, please contact the First Year Experience Office prior to the event. 

Events for everyone

Student events

Friday, January 19

Area Welcomes!

Time: 6 to 7 p.m.
Location: Varies
Audience:
Residential Students

Being a part of our on-campus community comes with expectations that are meant to make your experience amazing. This meeting is required and will be followed by a variety of fun events around campus. Please see your RA for details on the location of your community meeting!

Welcome to Main Quad: Cookie Decorating

Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Location:
Building 12, East Lounge
Audience:
Residential Students

Come meet other Area 1 and Area 2 residents, the RAs, and other Residential Life Staff to enjoy some cookie decorating with your community!

Welcome to Suite and Apartments: Succulent Planting

Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Location:
Pinnacles, Promontory Quads
Audience:
Residential Students

Come meet other North Quad or Promontory residents, the RAs, and other Residential Life Staff to plant a succulent you can take home! Please talk to your RA to determine the closest event location to you!

Welcome to East Campus: Game Night

Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Location:
Saratoga Center
Audience:
Residential Students

Come meet other East Campus residents, the RAs, and other Residential Life Staff to enjoy a video game tournament with your community!

Saturday, January 20

New Student Orientation

Time: 9 to 5 p.m.
Location: Campus
Audience: New Students

Welcome to your Spring 2024 Transfer Orientation Session! For more information about orientation, be sure to visit our website. In person orientation is mandatory for all incoming students and part II involves completing an online self-guided orientation module prior to arriving on campus.

Women's Basketball Game

Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Kelp Bed
Audience: Everyone

Come out to support the Women's Basketball team as they take on Cal Poly Pamona. Students with valid Otter ID can watch the game for free. Adult tickets are $10 and Youth under 17 are $5.

Men's Basketball Game

Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Kelp Bed
Audience: Everyone

Come out to support the Men's Basketball team as they take on Cal Poly Pomona. Students, faculty and staff with valid Otter ID can watch the game for free. Adult tickets are $10 and Youth under 17 are $5.

Santa Cruz Warriors Latine Heritage Day

Time: 5 to 10 p.m.
Location: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Audience: Everyone

Join El Centro in celebrating Latine Heritage night at the Santa Cruz Warriors basketball game! Purchase your ticket and support CSUMB’s El Centro before tickets sell out! Transportation to be arranged. Game starts at 7:00pm.

Sunday, January 21

Otter Ears Craft Night

Time: 3 to 6 p.m.
Location: Building 12, East Lounge
Audience: Students

Join us for an Otter-tastic evening of creativity at our Otter Ears Craft Night! Unleash your inner otter and get ready to design your very own set of magical otter ears that showcase your school spirit in style.

Barbie Movie Night @ OSU

Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Location: OSU Ballroom
Audience: Everyone

She's everything. He's just Ken. Step into a world of wonder and join us for an exclusive screening of the latest Barbie movie! Be among the first to experience the magic and adventure of Barbie's newest tale from Oscar-nominated writer/director Greta Gerwig, starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and America Ferrera.

Monday, January 22

Bienvenidos con Burritos

Time: 8 am to 12 p.m.
Location: OSU Main Quad Plaza
Audience:  Students

Bienvenidos Welcome back to campus! Swing by and grab a tasty burrito and some coffee before the start of class! The first day of classes is already stressful don't worry about the breakfast, we have it handled for you. 

Transfer Student Welcome Mixer

Time: 12 to 2 p.m.
Location: Building 12, Room 121 & West Lounge
Audience: Students

The Transfer Student Success Center will be hosting the New Transfer Student Meet-up event on January 22 to invite new and continuing Spring 2024 enrolled transfer students to learn about the Transfer Student Success Center services and provide the opportunity for student to network with other transfer students. 

All Student Yoga

Time: 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.
Location: OSU Meditation Room
Audience: Students

Join Basic Needs for All Student Yoga on Monday evening in the OSU Meditation Room! Having your mental, physical, and social emotional well-being fed is a basic need too! These classes are designed to be accessible to all, to best support the whole YOU. 

Tuesday, January 23

All Student Yoga

Time: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Location: OSU Mediation Room
Audience: Students

Join Basic Needs for All Student Yoga on Tuesday morning in the OSU Meditation Room! Having your mental, physical, and social emotional well-being fed is a basic need too! These classes are designed to be accessible to all, to best support the whole YOU.

On Campus Job and Internship Fair

Time: 12 to 2 p.m.
Location: OSU Ballroom
Audience: Students 

On-campus jobs offer a range of benefits that can positively impact a student's college experience and future career. Some of these benefits include: convenience, time management skill development, networking, professional development, and above all a supportive environment. Stop by with your resume or ask about the types of job and internship opportunities that are available to you today!

Karaoke with the clubs

Time: 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Location: OSU Game Room
Audience: Students

Bring your singing voice and your dancing shoes or neither and be ready to have a good laugh and some fun. Karaoke hosted by our Inter-Club Council. There will be snacks and a good time to be had by all. 

Wednesday, January 24

Sip and Stuff Swap

Time: 9 to 11 a.m.
Location: OSU Main Quad Plaza
Audience: Students

Looking to do some spring semester cleaning? Come by our Sip & Stuff Swap and trade in your lightly worn clothes and other items with your fellow Otters! Complimentary coffee and hot chocolate will be served.

Veterans Resource Center WELCOME Mixer

Time: 12 to 2 p.m.
Location: Veteran's Resource Center
Audience: Students/Faculty/Staff Military Veterans

Veteran students, staff & faculty are invited to drop by for some food, conversation and connection as we start the semester. If you don't have your CSUMB Veteran T-Shirt yet, stop by and pick one up.

RESET for Spring

Time: 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Location: Main Quad, Building 12
Audience: Students

R.E.S.E.T. for Spring semester with Health and Wellness Services. Learn and practice tips for your well-being using our reset model - reflect, eat, sleep, exercise and talk. Various stations will be set-up for students to practice these skills and to learn about wellness resources available. Food, resting stations, and opportunity drawings available. Please contact Jessica Lopez jelopez@csumb.edu for accommodation related requests or to learn more.

Welcome Back Bingo

Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Location: OSU Ballroom
Audience: Students

Join us for an evening of excitement, laughter, and fantastic prizes at our thrilling Bingo Event! Get ready to shout "BINGO!" as we gather for an unforgettable night of fun and friendly competition.

Thursday, January 25

Otter Thursday

Time: 12 to 1:15 p.m.
Location: OSU Main Plaza
Audience: Everyone

Join us for CSUMB's tradition, Otter Thursday, a spirit-driven experience occurring every Thursday which includes a pep rally at the Otter Student Union providing free food, music, activities, and giveaways. Each week we'll be joined by different campus partners, activities, and free food, so make sure you stop by!

Farmers Market

Time: 2 to 6 p.m.
Location: Lot 71
Audience: Everyone

Visit the Associated Students Farmers Market every Thursday, 2 pm to 6 pm for produce from local vendors and community. Explore different vendors of Monterey County with fresh fruits, veggies, and goods. Connect with local farmers, and support small businesses. It's more than a market; it's a lively community gathering. Visit the Associated Students Farmers Market in Lot 71!

Table Tennis & Billards

Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: OSU Game Room
Audience: Students

Table Tennis or Billards? Intramural Sports is calling for all table tennis and billards students to signup for our tournament. Come play and try to win an Intramural Sports Champion Shirt. Also find out what sports are coming up for the Spring Semester.

Friday, January 26

Winter Ball

Time: 8 to 11 p.m.
Location: OSU Ballroom
Audience: Students

Come in your best dressed as we celebrate the start of the semester with our first annual CSUMB Snow Ball. DJ (TBD) will be playing throughout the night along with free snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.

Saturday, January 27

Women's Water Polo Game

Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Otter Tank
Audience: Everyone

The Women's Waterpolo team is playing at the Otter Tank(Aquatic Center) against UC Merced at 1pm! The First Year Experience office would like to welcome all students to attend and show some Otter pride! Students are welcome to go straight to the pool and show their Otter ID for free entry to the game. 

Sunday, January 28

GLOW in the DARK: Volleyball

Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Location: Otter Sports Center
Audience: Students/ Community Partners/ Staff/ Faculty

Get ready for the most electrifying night of the semester! Our Glow in the Dark Volleyball Tournament, co-hosted by Intramural Sports and Greek Life, promises an unforgettable night of fun and sportsmanship. Form your teams, put on your glow gear, and get ready to compete under the black lights