Investing in Students: Building Opportunities for a Stronger Future
Cal State Monterey Bay will seek a fee increase through consultation for the academic year 2026–2027. Student success remains the highest priority, and the proposed adjustment is designed to expand resources that directly support health, well-being, learning and engagement. The increase reflects student feedback, responds to their most urgent needs and invests in opportunities that will strengthen the campus experience and prepare students for success beyond graduation.
Since the last major fee adjustments in 2018, student needs have evolved, service costs have risen and demand for student-centered resources has significantly increased. Our current funding no longer keeps pace with the rising costs of delivering essential services such as mental health support and counseling.
Student fees at Cal State Monterey Bay are currently ranked 15th among CSU campuses according to 2024-25 CSU Campus Mandatory Fees. The primary factor driving this ranking is the fee that supports the construction and operation of the Otter Student Union, a facility that directly benefits students by providing space for community, engagement, and support. Other student fees at Cal State Monterey Bay remain relatively low compared to similar institutions, which creates an opportunity to responsibly invest in areas that strengthen student success while still keeping overall costs manageable.
Currently, state funds support essential services such as transportation, mental health care, recreation, and the OSU building, even though these services are typically covered by student fees. While this funding has been valuable, it limits our ability to expand programs and develop new initiatives that directly support student success. Without additional resources, we cannot reduce wait times for mental health services, increase recreational opportunities, or enhance spaces that build community. An increase in the student fee is the only practical way to ensure that student needs are fully matched with the resources required to meet them.
Furthermore, more than 50% of our students live on campus, which creates a strong need for services that are available at all times. Meeting this need requires significant resources to provide consistent support for students where they live and learn. At the same time, our university serves one of the most underserved and overcrowded regions in the state, which makes access to campus resources even more important. Commuter students depend heavily on transportation, recreation, and other essential services to manage their academic and personal responsibilities. Expanding and strengthening these resources is necessary to ensure that every student has the support required to succeed.
We propose an increase to mandatory student fees, including Instructionally Related Activities (IRA), Materials Services and Facilities (MSF), and Health Services. These changes are designed to directly support students by addressing critical needs, expanding access to essential services, and improving the overall student experience. The additional resources will allow us to strengthen programs that enhance academic success, support health and wellness, and create more opportunities for student engagement and community.
While Cal State Monterey Bay will still remain as one of the more affordable campuses in the CSU system, we must now take bold and thoughtful steps to sustain and enhance the quality of our students’ college experience. We are therefore proposing a $467 per semester increase in mandatory student fees. We are also committing to annual cost adjustments using the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), ensuring sustainable funding while keeping our fees competitive.
An adjustment to student fees is being proposed to ensure that resources fully meet student needs and support success.
- Approximately 75% of students with aid will not see any impact because financial aid will cover the increase.
- For students who do pay, the adjustment raises the per semester Cost of Attendance by about 3% for those who live on campus and about 2.4% for those who live off campus.
- The increase applies only to three categories and will be dedicated exclusively to student support.
The additional resources will directly benefit students in three essential areas:
- Vital Student Support Services – stronger access to health care, wellness programs, and counseling so students can stay healthy and focused on their education.
- Essential Student Life and Engagement – more opportunities for involvement, leadership, and campus activities that create connection and belonging.
- Learning Support, Career Advancement, and Engagement – expanded academic resources, hands-on learning, and career preparation that equip students for success during and after college.
Proposed Fee Allocation by Category
(All cost estimates in this proposal are based on current enrollment figures, prevailing market rates, and minimum wage requirements, and are subject to revision without prior notice if such conditions change.)
| Vital Student Support Services | Scaled Amount |
|---|---|
| Mental Health, Care & Health Center | $1,200,000 |
| Care & Basic Needs | $496,000 |
| Disabilities (SDAC) Counselors and Testing | $290,000 |
| Total | $1,986,000 |
| Essential Student Life & Engagement | Scaled Amount |
|---|---|
| Student Programming & Transportation | $619,404 |
| Club Sports & Intramurals | $590,000 |
| Safety Lighting and Evening Walk Services | $200,000 |
| Intercollegiate Athletics | $495,600 |
| Otter Media and Lutrinae | $205,000 |
| Technology Upgrades | $400,000 |
| Otter Wave Shuttle | $251,643 |
| Total | $2,761,647 |
| Learning Support, Career Advancement & Engagement | Scaled Amount |
|---|---|
| Career Development Internships | $380,000 |
| Cross Cultural Centers & Coaching Support | $360,000 |
| Advising Support | $275,000 |
| Cooperative Learning Center | $251,643 |
| Total | $1,266,643 |
| Student Support Category | Scaled Amount |
|---|---|
| Vital Student Support Services | $1,986,000 |
| Essential Student Life & Engagement | $2,761,647 |
| Learning Support, Career Advancement & Engagement | $1,266,643 |
| Totals | $6,014,290 |
Vital Student Support Services
Students are facing greater challenges than ever before, and the demand for support services has risen sharply. Many students struggle with mental health needs, disabilities, safety concerns, and access to basic resources, which directly affect their ability to succeed in school. The following trends show the urgency of strengthening student support services at Cal State Monterey Bay:
- Telehealth counseling appointments increased by 69% in the last year.
- Reported suicidal ideation rose by 140% from 2024 to 2025.
- Students with verified disabilities increased by 45% in the past year.
- Wait times for counseling remain high, and students are being turned away due to limited capacity.
- Students with disabilities face delays in receiving testing accommodations or miss exams because of capacity limits.
- Requests for food assistance and other basic needs have significantly increased.
- Demand at the Otter Cross Cultural Center and affinity group programs has grown
Essential Student Life & Engagement
Student life plays a central role in helping students feel connected, supported, and motivated to succeed. Opportunities for involvement, social connection, and campus pride reduce feelings of isolation and directly improve student persistence and graduation rates. A stronger investment in student life will allow more students to participate in activities, access leadership and networking opportunities, and build a sense of belonging that extends beyond the classroom. Increasing satisfaction with student life and support services is critical to student well-being, retention, and overall success at Cal State Monterey Bay. The following trends show the urgency of strengthening student life and engagement at Cal State Monterey Bay to reverse the downward trend in students departing:
- 20% of students are dissatisfied with campus events, 20% are dissatisfied with campus social life in general, and 20% are dissatisfied with intramurals and recreation according to a campus-wide survey. Another approximately 35% in each of these categories were “neutral,” which demonstrates a level of apathy that we hope to address.
- Student surveys show low levels of engagement, limited campus pride, and difficulty making connections with peers.
- Retention data demonstrate that students who participate in clubs and athletics have higher persistence rates compared to those who do not.
- Student event attendance remains low, while reports of loneliness and isolation continue to increase.
- Demand for leadership opportunities and professional development programs exceeds current capacity.
- Student feedback highlights a need for more accessible social spaces and activities that create community across diverse groups
Learning Support, Career Advancement & Engagement
Academic support and career development are vital to helping students reach their full potential. Students who receive timely guidance, effective tutoring, and real opportunities for career preparation are more likely to persist, graduate on time, and feel confident about their future. Expanding these resources will remove barriers that prevent students from staying enrolled, strengthen motivation to succeed, and provide the skills and experiences needed for life after graduation. Greater investment in learning support and career engagement will directly improve student outcomes and ensure long-term success for the Cal State Monterey Bay community. The following trends show the urgency of strengthening learning support, career advancement and engagement at Cal State Monterey Bay:
- Retention has declined from 79.9 percent to a projected 75.3 percent for the Fall 2024 cohort.
- Persistence from Fall 2024 to Spring 2025 for first-time freshmen fell five percentage points to 88 percent, the lowest in ten years.
- By the end of the registration period for Fall 2025, approximately 200 first-time freshmen who were eligible to register still had not done so.
- Limited access to timely tutoring and advising continues to create missed deadlines, lower grades, and setbacks in academic progress.
- Demand for paid internships and research opportunities is far greater than current capacity, restricting access to valuable hands-on experiences.
- High rates of DFW (drop, fail, withdraw) in key courses demonstrate the urgent need for additional tutoring, supplemental instruction, and academic coaching to help students succeed.
- Students report that career preparation resources and networking opportunities are difficult to access, leaving many unsure of how to connect their studies with future career goals.
Implementation Process
The process for implementing the proposed fee increase will follow all CSU policies and involve consultation with students, faculty and other members of the Otter community to ensure their voices are heard. A dedicated website will provide detailed information about the process, justification for the fee increase and updates on the discussions. The alternative consultation process will engage students through multiple avenues:
- Presentations: Outreach to student government and student organizations.
- Tabling Events: Information tables at key campus locations.
- Information Sessions: In-person to encourage participation.
- Website & Social Media: Online resources and feedback form for student input.
Timeline
- Monday, August 11: Update extended cabinet
- Monday, August 25: Associated Students presentation
- Thursday, August 28: SFAC meeting and ICC/SCC presentation
- Wednesday, September 3: Campus-wide message/website go live
- Monday, September 8: Presentation to Academic Senate
- Wednesday, September 17: Presentation to Staff Council
- Monday, September 15: Noon at CAHSS 1401
- Tuesday, September 16: 6 to 7 p.m. at Library 1180
- Monday, September 22: 3 to 4 p.m. at CAHSS 1401
- Wednesday, September 24: Deadline to submit feedback on the fee consultation via form
Send us your Feedback
Help us understand your perspective on the proposed $467 per semester fee increase for 2026-2027. This feedback will inform our decision-making process and ensure student voices are heard. Your responses are confidential and will be used to improve student services and support.
Student Fee Proposal Feedback Survey