As a way to help students relax before finals, Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) hosted its Eggs After Dark event last week, offering free breakfast, games, raffles and more.
The event occurs at the end of every semester as a kickoff to finals season. This semester’s theme was Under the Sea, and the event was given the subtitle “Monte’s Underwater Rager.” During the event, students participated in giveaways, a pancake-flipping contest and music from a live DJ. The event was organized by the Student Housing and Residential Life Programming and Involvement Board (SHRL).
Katherine Caballero, a third-year psychology major and student assistant for the SHRL, is the event lead, and it is her third semester participating in Eggs After Dark.
“It’s just to remember that even though finals might be a little bit stressful, we still have a community around us,” she said. “It’s really fun.”
According to Caballero, there have been successful partnerships with on-campus departments. She believes this always instills the same community aspect on campus.
“We had a lot more involvement with Otter Kitchens, as well as other departments here on campus,” she said. “I really like that, and I really love how every year it’s a little bit different.”
Caballero and the SHRL Programming Board enjoy receiving student advice and feedback on Eggs After Dark. Suggestions for this particular event can be sent to [email protected].
“We try to get student advice on what they want to see on the menu, what types of themes they want to have, what giveaways they want to see,” Caballero said.
Joshelyn Martin, assistant director for Programming and Engagement in student housing, has helped with this event since last fall and has seen it evolve.
According to Martin, the event has been held for 20 years and has become increasingly immersive with each theme. Decorations and volunteer outfits now align with the theme, and organizers hope to extend the concept to the menu in the future.
“I think that as we go forward, the menu will hopefully reflect more of that theme so that it feels very special to what the vibe might be,” Martin said. “I am also more hopeful that more students know about it.”
Martin also recognizes the partnerships that have formed from organizing the event. Various departments and organizations on campus are trying to make the event more accessible for commuter students and to help Eggs After Dark grow in size.
The event saw its largest post-pandemic turnout this semester, with 650 students attending. Before COVID-19, attendance ranged from 700 to 750 students. Martin believes Eggs After Dark remains one of the most popular events on campus.
According to Martin, the event was organized by a team of dedicated staff. Many of them start their days at 8 a.m. and stay throughout the evening.
“I am very appreciative of all of the campus partners (and) staff that have volunteered for this event,” she shared. “I hope students recognize that time and effort.”