CSUMB’s Admitted Otter Day welcomes host of new students

By Mark Muckenfuss

Theoretically, there could have been more cowbell at Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday, April 12. But it’s hard to imagine. 

An almost constant clanking filled the air in celebration each time a student committed to attending the university this fall, as a steady stream of students attending the annual Admitted Otter Day filed through to sign on the dotted line.  

“I’m excited,” said Aydin Quatacker, of Martinez, after ringing the bell and having her picture taken with a CSUMB pennant. “This is my first time on campus. I love the library. That’s my favorite place so far.”

She chose CSUMB, she said, for its academic opportunities.

“I’ve heard they have a really good Japanese program,” she said. “I’m excited about the study abroad part of it.”

Quatacker was among an expected crowd of 4,000 people, 1,300 of whom were students who have been admitted to the university. Admitted Otter Day is a chance for them to engage with the campus community, get more information on academics, financial aid and housing, and to make a final decision about attending CSUMB.

The morning began with President Vanya Quiñones addressing the prospective students and their families.

“I hope when you walk around, you are as excited as I am to be a part of the Otter Raft,” Quiñones said. 

She described how otters in the ocean link arms to stay together and protect themselves from danger, after which she encouraged the students and families to stand and link arms with those next to them. 

“This is called the Otter Raft,” she said. “We move together. I want you to know you belong here and you’re part of our Otter Raft. Welcome to the Raft.”

Ben Corpus, vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, announced that CSUMB is the first CSU campus to offer an artificial intelligence minor for all majors. Adjusting to the new technology, he said, is part of a university’s role. 

“That’s what college is for,” Corpus said, “to wrestle with ideas that matter, to challenge each other and, in so doing, become someone who can lead.”

He encouraged the students to take advantage of not being “just a number” as they might at larger schools, and to engage with their instructors. 

“We will stand by you,” he said. “We will also challenge you. If you are excited about being here, we’re excited about having you here.”

Prospective students and family members listen to welcome remarks by campus leadership | Photo by Bilal Salim

Plenty of students expressed their excitement when asked about their decision to attend CSUMB. Many talked about the region’s enviable weather and the closeness of the beach. That was particularly important to Ethan Doig, of Plumas Lake, who is planning on studying marine science.

“I took a marine science class in my junior year,” Doig said of his high school career. “It opened my eyes to the whole field. I’d like to research certain animals.” 

Attending last fall’s open house event sold him on the campus.

“I looked at (CSUs) Long Beach and San Francisco,” he said. “I liked how this was a mile away from the beach, and I liked how it’s a smaller campus, so I can get help from teachers.”

Some of that help started on Saturday. Students were able to not only attend mock classroom sessions to get more information on various majors, but they also had the opportunity to meet with faculty and talk about academic programs. 

Then there was the fun stuff. The main quad was filled with student organizations tabling with information about clubs and organizations. A disc golf goal was set up for people to try their hands at slinging a Frisbee at a target. If that wasn’t their thing, they could use a lacrosse stick to sling a ball at a net. 

Between buildings, the aromatic kitchen exhaust of food trucks drifted into the air. Visitors could choose from tacos, gyros, noodles and more, or try out the regular fare offered at the dining commons.  

Some students took the opportunity to purchase their first CSUMB merchandise in the campus store. Hannah Kirn, of Littleton, Colorado, was standing in line with her mother, Jennifer, waiting to buy a sweatshirt. She said she chose CSUMB because of the opportunities she believes it will afford her as an environmental studies major. 

“I wanted to be by the ocean in Northern California,” she said. “This is a little school, but it’s big enough to have a good community.”

Jennifer said the campus seemed like a natural fit. 

“We came here to the aquarium when she was 6,” Jennifer said. “It was always a passion for her, so it doesn’t surprise me that she’s here.”

Jennifer said she was impressed by what she felt was a much more welcoming response by administrators during the application process, particularly a personal phone call just prior to Admitted Otter Day.

“It’s been green lights every step of the way,” she said. “It blew all the other schools away. It was the first one I personally got excited about.” 

And, she added, “I just want to come visit.”

Yetzarely Gaspar, of Reedly, was focused on what the psychology major would be able to do for her goal of becoming a child psychologist.

“I want to see the program here and what they can do to bring me to the career I want,” Gaspar said. “It’s a really peaceful campus and I like how I’ll be able to just concentrate on my studies by the sea.”

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