California State University, Monterey Bay

Infobox_University


name = California State University, Monterey Bay
motto =
established = 1994
type = Public
president = Dianne F. Harrison
city = Seaside
state = California
country = USA
undergrad = 4080
postgrad = 140
faculty = 334
campus = formerly Fort Ord
mascot = Otter
colors = Bay Blue, Golden Sand and Valley Green
affiliations = California State University system
footnotes =
website = [http://www.csumb.edu www.csumb.edu]

California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), is a small public university in the California State University system on the site of the former Fort Ord, on the Central Coast of California. CSUMB was founded in 1994 with a student enrollment of 654 students. As of 2007 the university had 4,080 students and 141 full-time faculty members. The institution seeks to distinguish itself through "outcomes-based education," with undergraduates required to conduct a capstone research project, and complie a portfolio demonstrating competency in their concentration, with a faculty member as advisor. In 2006, Dianne F. Harrison was elected from 3 candidates to be the new President of the University.cite web|url=http://news.csumb.edu/site/x13241.xml|title=New President according to CSUMB newsletter|accessdate=2007-05-28]

Faculty & Student Demographics

Faculty

Faculty demographics reflect those of the CSU system overall. Of 334 faculty members, 141 (42%) were employed full-time and a (113) third were tenured or tenure-tracked. More than three-quarters (77%) held doctorate degress. Those with doctorate degrees were more likely to be employed full-time and tenured.

tudents

In 2008 there were of 4,380 students of whom 57% were female and 43% male. The ethnic background of the students was as follows: 47% White, 27% Hispanic, 4% African American, 4% Asian American, 3% Pacific Islander, 1% Native American, 3% other, with 11% not stated. As of fall 2005, the majority, 56% were less than 21 years of age, 27% between 22 and 25, 8% between 26 and 30, 5% between 31 and 40, and 4% over 41. The most common majors were Business Administration (17%), Liberal Studies (15%) and Human Communication (11%). Little more than third (37%) of students came form the tri-county area (Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito County), while 59% came from other parts of California, 2% from other U.S. states and 2% from outside the U.S. Almost a third, (30%) of students were low and almost half (46%) were first generation college students. Students were somewhat unequally distributed across class levels; 24% being Freshmen, 12% Sophomores, 23% Juniors and 32% Seniors. Only 4% were graduate students, 5% were seeking credentials and 1% were involved in post-bacclaurate studies.cite web|url=http://csumb.edu/site/x6095.xml|title=CSUMB. (2008). "CSUMB History, Facts & FAQs".|accessdate=2008-05-28]

tudent life

Roughly two thirds of CSUMB students live on campus. Residence halls are located close to all campus facilities, offering single student suites, family apartments living on the east side of the campus. All communities are located conveniently close to campus. Students can walk, drive or take the campus shuttle to classes and activities.Students also enjoy going into nearby downtown Monterey which is a popular tourist destination as it is home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row and Old Fisherman's Wharf. Students also enjoy nearby Santa Cruz where on weekends, students frequent bars and dance clubs. Other popular spots near CSUMB are Carmel-by-the-Sea,17 mile scenic drive,World famous Pebble Beach golf resort, andMazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Child Care Services

CSUMB offered child care services on campus from 1999-2006, the center was closed due to an unanticipated shortage of staff for the 2006-2007 school year. The center previously served toddler and preschool age children using programs for low income families. Some limited child care services are now available to a limited number of students with families.

Clubs are a popular activity at CSUMB. Some popular clubs are the Black Student United, Anime Club, Pride, M.E.Ch.A, EMPOWER, Otter Christian Fellowship, and the Business Club. The Associated Students (Student Government) at CSUMB offers a variety of committees and organizations for students to take part in. Some current groups are the Academic Committee, Diversity Council, Environmental Committee, Lobby Corps, Public Relations Committee and the Technology Committee.

tudent organizations

Delta Omega Rho

Delta Oemga Rho is the first Greek letter organization to be fully created and founded at CSUMB. This multicultural sorority bases it's organization principles on scholarship, leadership, friendship, integrity, honesty, loyalty, and unity. The primary goal of the founders was to develop an organization that every woman could be involved with regardless of race, religion, age, culture or ability.

Multiculturalism, understanding, and community service has been the driving force for this newer organization on the CSUMB campus, as they strive to bring together a well rounded sisterhood. The sorority's purpose is to build up the characteristics of each member through academics and advancement in education, as well as building leadership skills; promoting pride within each member and within the organization; and to forge a lasting relationship among all sisters. Currently [http://myspace.com/Deltaomegarho Delta Omega Rho] has focused its philanthropic efforts on groups like SPCA International and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Omega Delta Phi

Omega Delta Phi is a fraternity on campus that is both active in its community and campus. They are a service/social fraternity who emphasizes on their academics, service, diversity and brotherhood. They have received numerous awards recognizing their outstanding G.P.A, service, spirit, and athletics. This fraternity competes in competitions across the nation in strolling and stepping.

Sigma Theta Psi

Sigma Theta Ps is an active sorority on campus. They are a multicultural, academic and social sorority, who uphold the values of honesty, loyalty, respect, open mindedness, leadership and academic excellence. Sigma Theta Psi's national philanthropy is Breast Cancer. Their sisiterhood has dedicated itself to promote awareness of this disease, in various campus and community events. The have been recognized for their outstanding service to community and their outstanding academic excellence.

Children Do Count Club

The Children Do Count Club was established by students concerned with the closure of the child care center. The clubs main function is to provide support for child care services offered on campus and resources to students with children.

In the past several years, professional deconstruction of abandoned Fort Ord property has increased dramatically, causing road blockages, closures and redirections. Part of the reason for the upped speed of doing this is because the buildings by the freeway are being replaced by a new Marina mall, to be opened by mid to late 2007. Another reason involves the new CSUMB President, Dianne Harrison, who is promoting the new look of the school by ridding of abandoned buildings and replacing them with the intended new construction that had been put off before her arrival.

Athletics

CSUMB athletes and sports teams are known as the Otters. A member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II, the Otters are also members of the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The Otters field fourteen sports for men and women for the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Fall sports for men include cross country and soccer. Fall sports for women include cross country, soccer, and volleyball. The winter sport for men is basketball. The winter sport for women is basketball. Spring sports for men include baseball and golf. Spring sports for women include golf, softball, and water polo. CSUMB also has a coed sailing team which competes in the fall and spring (although the spring season is more important).

CSU Monterey Bay is now part of NCAA Division II after being a member of the California Pacific Conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The Otter Sports Center is the home to the CSUMB Otters Men's and Women's Basketball and Women's Volleyball teams. The Sports Center is affectionately known as "The Kelp Bed" referencing the floating home of the Sea Otter.

CSUMB's baseball program, which was started by a dedicated group of Otter Pioneers, begins with the start of the 2006 Baseball season. The team is coached by former minor league player and local born Rich Aldrete.

New baseball and softball fields are under construction as of fall 2006, and should be ready for usage by next fall. This new construction coincides with the arrival of President Harrison and the campus's other new construction, from the new roadside campus maps to the new library.

Arts

Programs at CSUMB are interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary. In the arts, students can major in Music and Performing Arts (MPA), Teledramatic Arts and Technology (TAT), and VIsual and Public Arts (VPA).

The World Theater is a performing arts venue that presents campus events such as guest lectures and screenings, student capstones (thesis projects) and Capstone Festivals. They present a professional performing arts season of performance, music and dance.

The Teledramatic Arts and Technology Department offers cross-disciplinary study and practice of media and live performance. The program integrates the traditional disciplines of theatre, radio, broadcast, film and new media.

The Visual & Public Arts Department displays their original artwork throughout the campus with public installations and murals that paint the campus.

Music & Performing Arts Department offers choirs and activities to enrich the culture of CSUMB. They include a Gospel Choir, a Chorale and many music performers and lecturers. It also now offers theatrical classes, transferred from the TAT major it originated from. The Music and Performing Arts major offers a concentration in Recording and Technology and houses one of the area's best recording studios.

Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library

With a groundbreaking on October 3, 2006, that included CSUMB President Dianne Harrison among the first diggers, construction on the Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library began. The intended three-floor building, with planned views of both the Monterey Bay and the Salinas Valley from the upper floors, has a completion scheduled for September 2008. It would replace the current single floor library that, like so many other buildings upon the opening of CSUMB in 1994, was reworked from preexisting buildings at Fort Ord.

Inside the new library are convert|136151|sqft|m2 of space among the floors, with a towering central atrium drawing natural light deep into the building interior. Located at Divarty and 5th Street, and diagonally across from the Chapman Science Center, which was the first entirely new building constructed at CSUMB.

Aside from being the largest building to exist on the CSUMB campus, it will also be the greenest in terms of energy usage. Up to 30% less electricity will be needed, for example, because of floor to ceiling glass walls that would let in natural light. Additionally, ventilation techniques would operate through the floor instead of the ceiling, allowing cooler air to travel a lesser distance. Further, the light let in from the atrium would be indirect rather than direct sunlight.

In March 2008, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, headed by Clint Eastwood, donated $620,000 to the university, with $500,000 of the grant for the new library. Eastwood himself came to the campus on March 20 for an official donation to President Harrison, directly in front of the library under construction. He said, "We're happy to be involved. With the world of the Internet, libraries don't get the attention they deserve."

The Black Box Cabaret

The Black Box Cabaret has been the home of student expression since the birth of CSUMB. It opened in 1996, when business students (from the student organization BO$$), faculty and staff took a military building, originally put up temporarily, and created the BBC, a place for students and the community to express themselves.

In 2000, the BBC was shut down when it failed to comply with ADA regulations. With no plans to re-open the BBC, the students took it upon themselves and shouted "Our Box! Our choice!" 350 students and community members marched, chanted and rallied to save the building.

Students approved a $40 student fee to fund the BBC's renovation, ensuring the Box would re-open. Summer 2001 saw the beginning of renovation and February 2002 saw the re-opening of the Black Box Cabaret.

Since its original opening, the BBC has showcased student visual, theatrical and musical art. It offers food, drink and alcohol. One semesterly event that is always hosted at the BBC is called "TAPS" (Teledramatic Arts Presentation Showcase), in which students watch submitted short films made throughout the semester.

Interestingly, the Black Box Cabaret was the site of the first known public performance by the experimental rock group Space Station Wagon, and the last known public performance by Japanese Rock Group Guitar Wolf before their original bassist Bass Wolf died in 2005.

CSUMB Presidential History

References

ee also