Students walking through the Otter Student Union quad Monday morning saw that a brand new Otters for Life statue had been defaced.
The messages, which included profanity, regarded housing.
University President Vanya Quinones sent an email around 8:30 a.m. condemning the actions, stating that they “divide our community and are not in alignment with Cal State Monterey Bay values of engaging in respectful and productive dialogues.”
By 10:30 a.m., most of the spray-painted messages had been removed.
The messages seemed rooted in problems some students have had securing on-campus housing. An estimated number of over 300 students are currently without housing for the upcoming 2025 Fall semester.
The words “Fix Housing” could be seen spray-painted along the base of the statue. The new statue, paid for by CSUMB alumni, is meant to be “a symbol of the strength of our Otter Raft, and dedication to community and belonging,” said Quinones in her emailed statement.
“We encourage everyone to engage in respectful and constructive ways to share their voices and perspectives.”
Today at 12:30 p.m. in library room 1180, the Associated Students will be hosting the weekly senate meeting, where students are welcome to share their experiences and grievances around housing and other issues.