You otter be having fun on the first days of school

By Mark Muckenfuss

If Cal State Monterey Bay students find themselves bored during Otter Days, the first 10 days of the fall semester, they have only themselves to blame. A slew of informational and entertaining events are scheduled from the initial move-in day of Aug. 18 through Aug. 29. 

Traditionally, the Otter Plunge has been the highlight of the welcome-week activities. Last year, hundreds of students, faculty, staff and administrators braved the chilly waters of Monterey Bay as a way to kick off the new academic year. This year’s plunge is from 8-10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 23. Transportation to Monterey’s Municipal Beach will be provided, with shuttles leaving from Lot 71 beginning at 7 a.m.

Students are encouraged to sign in at Lot 71, even if they are planning to use separate transportation. Those who do will receive a dark blue T-shirt emblazoned with the Cal State Monterey Bay logo on the front and “Raft Up” on the back. 

At the plunge, small bonfires will dot the beach to help warm the shivering swimmers, and ingredients to make s’mores will be available.

After drying out and warming up, students can take advantage of La Exploración, a walking tour designed to familiarize newcomers with downtown Monterey. Students can register for the event, but it is not mandatory. What is mandatory is that participants bring their Otter IDs as the group will return to campus using the Monterey-Salinas Transit bus.

As entertaining as that all may sound, the fun actually starts the previous week, on the first day of move-in, Tuesday, Aug. 18. One of that day’s events includes Playfair from 6-8:30 p.m. at the University Center. It’s a chance for new students to meet new friends through a moderated interactive experience. 

The following day, a comedy show by comedian Jen Kober will be held in the Otter Student Union Ballroom from 7:30-9 p.m. Kober has a long list of television credits, including appearances on “Hacks,” “American Horror Story” and “The Mandalorian.”

“We’re excited to be hosting Jen Kober,” said Kaci Turpin, director of New Student Programs, who oversees Otter Days. “It’s the first time we’ve done a comedy show.”

Turpin said the schedule of events is “aimed at welcoming people to the university. The events are intended for folks to walk away having made new connections. Some of the events we host every year because they are so successful, such as the Plant Party (Aug. 24) and the Solidarity Block Party (Aug. 26). 

“The schedule is going to be larger than in the past,” she added. “There’s something for everybody.”

On Thursday, Aug. 20, Otter Palooza brings food trucks, ice cream, inflatables and community building to the OSU, from 6-8 p.m., to celebrate the end of move-in. 

New Student Convocation follows on Friday. Activities begin at 9 a.m. with mixers at the university’s various colleges. A parade along Divarty Street follows and continues on to Cardinale Stadium for the Convocation, where new interim President Carlos Vargas and other campus leaders will address the incoming students and provide important information regarding the coming year. New students are required to attend. 

At noon, the Main Quad comes alive with RecFest, featuring health, wellness and recreational opportunities for CSUMB students on and off campus. Sports clubs, intramural sports, outdoor recreation, and the Otter Cycle Center will all be on hand to facilitate the activities until 3 p.m. There will also be music and activities. And during that time, students can enjoy food from the Campus Cookout from 12:30-2 p.m.

The next day, Saturday, fans of “Squid Game” may get a kick out of the series-inspired non-lethal activities that comprise Otter Games from noon to 4 p.m. on the Recreation Field.

Classes begin Monday, Aug. 24 – don’t forget the breakfast bar from 8-10:30 a.m. outside the Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library, offering free cereal and donuts – but you’ll have to wait until Tuesday to take part in Karaoke with the Clubs, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Otter Student Union.

The year’s first Otter Thursday – a weekly school spirit event – will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, Aug. 27, on the OSU plaza, featuring food, games and music. And on Friday, the OSU hosts Monte Royale: Casino Night from 8-11 p.m. in the ballroom.

Students will have to venture off campus to enjoy the Helen Rucker Center’s welcome back barbeque from noon to 3 p.m. at Marina’s Brass Tap. Networking, line dancing, good food and friendly competition are “on tap,” and the Wave shuttle bus will provide transportation.  

“Otter Days is primarily geared toward incoming freshmen and new transfer students,” Turpin said, “but, outside of Convocation, other students can participate in the events. We hope everyone has fun.”

See the full list of Otter Days events.