Cal State Monterey Bay President Vanya Quiñones shared brief remarks at Monday’s Associated Students meeting, previewing some of the visions leadership has for the campus on a wide range of topics from dining commons changes to hearing what students have to say.
Quiñones was joined by Ben Corpus, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. Among the points they covered:
- Quiñones said the dining commons will be renovated over the summer with the goal of providing better service to the growing enrollment at the school. The kitchens will be improved. She also mentioned the possibilities of additional food franchises coming to campus as well as permanent food trucks near the baseball and softball complexes.
- She said the school is exploring re-opening the Black Box Cabaret, a student-managed programming space on campus that in the past has hosted things such as movie nights, spoken word artists and concerts.
- She said the school will be addressing and enhancing the commuter experience
- She emphasized getting student input through questionnaires and focus groups.
Corpus addressed the school’s increase in enrollment. He said projections to meet the budget require gaining 225 students and they are cautiously optimistic.
He said retention numbers are down slightly. Corpus added mental health is a big point of focus for student retention, asking all the departments what they would do if a student came saying, “I am not OK, I need help.”
He also mentioned the “Hello Matters” campaign, which asks staff, administration and faculty to smile, acknowledge others, and perhaps say hello, making connections and community with students to encourage a safe space.
Along with that, Corpus talked about promoting and ensuring access to counselor support for students with new questions being asked on the possibility of evening and weekend availability for the counselor center, as well as a possibility for in-residence hall counselor support.
Corpus and Quinones also addressed immigration and deportation issues.
“It’s fluid, it’s changing [..] we are trying to watch every single day as to what is coming down the pipe,” Corpus said. “We are here to support the students every way we can.”