The fall semester of the 2023/24 academic year at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) has started with a bang following the success of Otter Days.
New and returning Otters had opportunities to come together and experience approximately 30 welcoming events during the first week of school. Organizations such as First Year Experience, Associated Students (AS), the Otter Cross Cultural Center (OC3), and Recreation worked to put together festivities to help students, especially freshmen, acclimate to the new school year.
Students enjoyed a successful Bingo night where they competed for products such as an air fryer, a projector, and even an iPad. Different departments on campus also came together to donate items such as tote bags.
The OC3 Block Party saw around 200 students come out to the courtyard behind the Otter Student Union. Attendees were able to mingle, enter a raffle, make their own T-shirts, and enjoy live music by local performer Gabi Bravo.
This event was also a good opportunity for Otters to do some networking. “We (had) about 20 organizations and departments here to table … all the way from nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and student organizations,” said Victoria Gomez, program coordinator for the OC3.
Students can also start to look forward to the fan-favorite Werk Witch Drag Show that’s put on annually by the OC3. “Students, staff, and faculty can compete, and auditions are open now,” said Gomez.
More welcome week events included Movie Night at the OSU, Monte’s Speakeasy (you can read about those events on page 3), and the Ice Cream Social. AS, First Year Experience, and Basic Needs partnered to provide free breakfast burritos and coffee to students on the first day of school. Monte made a special appearance and students got the chance to take selfies with the mascot.
Otter Thursdays have officially started with music, free pretzels, as well as free T-shirts and bucket hats. President Vanya Quiñones attended the event to take pictures and get to know students.
Stay tuned with our on-campus organizations to see what kind of events are in store for the rest of the semester.
