To expand student service
Students: in 2026, CSUMB will invest in our campus, expanding and improving our student services. There are many improvements, which could be made to the Otter Raft. But it isn’t free.
A mandatory fee will be equal to $467 per semester. For two semesters, it will total $934 because it’s billed each semester. Yet CSUMB expects 75% of its students won’t feel the difference. Financial aid or tuition assistance programs will pay for mandatory student fees. However, students will notice the increased availability of student services like Disabilities Counseling, or like Telehealth. Our leadership has decided to fund services in three broad categories: Essential Student Life & Engagement, Learning Support & Career Advancement & Engagement and Vital Student Support Services.
Seven years ago in 2018, CSUMB adjusted student fees; but since then, our situation has changed. We know the prices of both goods and services increase over time. Especially, during 2022 and 2023, the rate of increase (the rate at which the prices of core services increased) has been great. In other words, services, like health services, got more expensive; and it happened fast! Of course, budgets should be revised whenever a need arises. Still, rapid changes of price are another incentive to review, making adjustments if a need is identified. A fee increase will begin in 2026, continuing for a year at least.
If we, the students, talk about fees, we’ll use the student services that our fees pay for. CSUMB leadership, since August, has been reminding students about a fee increase, emailing announcements and holding forums (e.g. Sept. 22, 2025, 3 to 4 p.m., CAHSS 1401). Salience incentivizes action; more than that, our investment plan incentivizes participation, being well aligned with our interests. We want to succeed; we want success, well, at least I do.
To understand what will change, I looked for the organizations that I know online and asked myself questions. What do I want in return for my money? What services will help me? And, if Redwood Hall will be open earlier, well, what will its new hours be?
– Noah Soria Kevy (instructional science and technology major, grad-student)