Hello campus community!
My name is Layna (lay-nuh) Hughes and I am honored to be the editor-in-chief for Volume 9 of the Lutrinae.
I came to Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) as a transfer student from Gavilan College in Gilroy. Entering my time at CSUMB as a junior was simultaneously exciting and daunting. I knew I wanted to get involved, but I also knew I didn’t have much time left in my undergraduate career.
As a new student, I was familiar with the idea that while at CSUMB I would find fellow Otters to “Raft Up” with. As cheesy as it sounds, I never really understood the meaning of the phrase until I joined the Lutrinae.
I was introduced to the school newspaper during Otter Showcase my first semester on campus. I double and triple checked with former Editor-in-Chief Paige Francis that anyone could contribute to the Lutrinae before attending my first meeting. Before I knew it, a semester had passed and I was promoted to staff writer. And now, entering my senior year, I have stepped into the role of editor.
I define my time at CSUMB with the accomplishments, connections and friendships I have attained through the Lutrinae. The newsroom is my favorite place on campus, and having the opportunity to facilitate the development of the Lutrinae as a whole is a responsibility I’m excited to pursue.
Since 1995, the Lutrinae has been dedicated to delivering fair, timely and accurate news to our campus community. Thirty years later, we hold ourselves to the same standard. Last year the Lutrinae staff were tasked with navigating turbulent times on campus both as students and reporters – taking on the responsibility of reporting the same news that was actively affecting their college experience.
I have big plans in mind for the Lutrinae this year, and I couldn’t think of a better group of people to bring them to life than this year’s staff. Our six staff writers and two photographers dedicate themselves to taking on new stories every week, expanding their journalistic prowess and informing the CSUMB community while doing so.
For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, the Lutrinae has taken on a student to be our business manager. We are excited to welcome Lindsey Ruiz as she helps us navigate best practices in advertising to expand our reader demographic.
I would also like to use this as an opportunity to remind our readers that we are always accepting submissions! Articles, opinion pieces, reviews, poetry, creative writing, short stories, song lyrics, artwork, cartoons and more! If you are interested in submitting your work to be considered for publication, please email me at [email protected].
We hope that the Lutrinae continues to serve you well as a local, trustworthy source of information. As students, we are experts on campus. The Lutrinae produces content for students, by students.
To the Lutrinae team, thank you for giving me a community I’m proud to be a part of. You guys are my Otter Raft.
Sincerely,
Layna Hughes
Editor-in-Chief of the Lutrinae