Open House 2026 welcomes big crowd with open arms

By Caitlin Fillmore

Hundreds of prospective students and their supporters met their Otter Raft support network during today’s Open House, as the event placed extra emphasis on friendliness and connection.

“We take our duty to protect every Otter and to keep our raft strong very seriously,” said Cal State Monterey Bay interim president Carlos Vargas during opening remarks. “Let us show you what the Otter Raft is. That is how we care for one another.”

The bustling, in-person experience of Open House welcomed 1,700 people, including 660 prospective students. Some traveled in groups for campus tours under a cloudless sky and summer-like temperatures. Others met representatives from clubs like women’s rugby and Catholic Otters 4 Christ and sampled appetizers like vegetable spring rolls and Thai iced tea. 

Lanyards with “Otter Support” badges gave Open House attendees access to these amenities and another important perk of the day: dozens of helpful people in blue polos, ready to answer questions.

“Finding information about a college online is easy,” said Reuban Rodriguez, interim vice president for student affairs. “Today prospective students get a sense of our university – our academics, student life and our culture of care. We’re a friendly campus.”

Sophomore Eden Miller worked as a tour guide during Open House, helping students compare housing options and making sure to promote her favorite campus spot: the library.

“I try to inform everyone about the Cooperative Learning Center and library,” said Miller, a molecular biology student who learned to access these resources from the Science Students Success club. “No one is going to go through all their classes and understand it all right away. We are here to support and uplift each other.”

In addition to the library, Open House attendees learned about new degree programs and planned capital improvements. History, communications and public health degree programs begin fall 2027, said provost and vice president Andrew Lawson during the event’s opening remarks.

Lawson also highlighted the ongoing construction of the Edward Taylor Science and Engineering Building, scheduled to open in spring 2028, and the recent launch of renovations to the Robert Darwin Black Box Cabaret, a student-run performing arts space.

“We are excited about these changes to provide excellent teaching, learning, research and creative experiences at Cal State Monterey Bay,” he said. 

Professors and deans were available during the event to meet prospective students and answer specific questions about their degree programs. Jayme Rubin and Aiden Van Note, two high school seniors from Sacramento, attended Open House as prospective business administration majors.

“The accounting professor went into detail,” Van Note said. “Not just about the program, but plans for after college and what other students did to succeed.”

Van Note learned about Cal State Monterey Bay from his aunt, a recent alumna. Rubin, who has attended similar events at other colleges, was visiting CSUMB for the first time.

“Campus is spread out, and it’s quieter [than anticipated],” Rubin said. “It’s chiller than I thought it would be; very laid-back.”

Interim vice president for enrollment management Elizabeth Rountree highlighted student clubs and services during her remarks to Open House attendees.

“We have many student clubs and organizations that connect students to personal or academic interests, which gives our students many opportunities to engage with student life outside of the classroom,” said Rountree.

Clubs like Black Students United and the Asian and Pacific Islander Association caught Kamora Macarthur’s eye, a senior from Pinnacles High School in Soledad.

“The representation surprised me,” said Macarthur, who identifies as Black and Filipino. “It made me feel welcome, and I want to know more.”

Several Pinnacles High students attended Open House before applying to CSUMB, which is many students’ primary application to college, said paraeducator Ariel Vasquez-Hernandez.

“Our school has a partnership with CSUMB, but this day opens their eyes,” Vasquez-Hernandez said.

Fellow Pinnacles High senior Areli Aparicio agreed. “Today has been a very nice experience. Maybe I can picture myself here.”