Student Life

Office of Student Life

The Office of Student Life came into existence July 1, 2003. It continues to bring together the areas of Residential Life, Student Activities, Judicial Affairs, Career Development, Associated Students, the Student Center and the Black Box Cabaret under the position of Dean of Student Life. The Dean [who is also the Director of Residential Life] is also responsible for chairing the campus Alcohol Advisory Committee, for supervising the Sober Driver Initiative Grant, for co-chairing the campus Fee Advisory committee, advising the Otter Student Union and for coordinating the selection of the campus Panetta Congressional Intern.

Associated Students

The CSUMB student government began to look at the criteria needed to achieve incorporation status. Key areas of organizational development this year included awareness and activism in social justice issues on campus and in the community. Goals for the coming year to continue the process of professionalizing the organization include: updating the Website to be ADA compliant, filling the vacant staff position in the administrative office, and drafting established practices into written policy and protocol.

Accomplishments include:

Increased programming from the Events Work Group, the Environmental Committee and ICC.

Registered over 1000 students to vote in the fall 2004 elections. [1]

Instituted the AS Capstone Grant program and awarded $7700. [2]

Achieved the highest voter turn out in history for the spring 2005 AS elections. [3]

Collaborated with Dining Services to use biodegradable flatware and plates in the Dining Commons. [4]

Funded and marketed a compilation CD of CSUMB student bands, "Unexploded Ordnance".

The Student Center

The Student Center, a student managed game room and TV lounge that also houses the Associated Students and the Otter Express, was supervised by the Office of Residential Life again this year and provided the following services and programs.

Extended operating hours of 12 noon - 12 midnight; the space was painted and redecorated; existing equipment was refurbished and new games were brought in; several dances were held in the facility; numerous tournaments were held including: table tennis, pool, & video games; and several educational/alternatives to drinking programs were offered including PUB 1 and the 72 Hour Challenge. The Center was also open for the first time limited hours during fall/spring breaks and summer.

The Black Box Cabaret/Otter Student Union Board of Directors

The Otter Student Union Board of Directors is an elected and appointed board of students, staff and faculty that are responsible for the development of a permanent university center and for the programmatic and operational oversight of the Black Box Cabaret.

Collaboration with the AS Events Work Group produced a significant increase in musical and cultural events hosted weekly in the BBC.

Significant funding was directed towards the purchase of sound and lighting equipment and a new marquee sign was designed and purchased.

Funding is being made available in the 05/06 budget for new furnishings.

Alcohol Advisory Committee

The campus Alcohol Advisory Committee is composed of staff, administrators, students and representatives of the community from across the campus and is charged with developing and supporting campus efforts to reduce alcohol use and abuse.

The Dean participated on the host/program committee for the annual CSU Alcohol Conference. He will also participate on the 05/06 committee in preparation for CSUMB hosting the 2007 conference.

Sober Driver Initiative

With the support of the Personal Growth and Counseling Center and Residential Life, supervised a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety designed to reducing drinking and driving by 5% thought the use of social norming messages.

Although the campus did meet and exceed the 5% reduction, due to the loss of the Health Educator position in the Personal Growth and Counseling Center and staff within the Office of Residential Life, CSUMB was unable to provide all of the deliverables required by the grant, which ended in January 2005.

Alignment with the campus strategic planning themes.

[1] An Engaged Campus, outcome # 1.1.

[2] Support for Learning, outcome # 2.2.

[3] An Engaged Campus, outcome # 1.3.

[4] An Engaged Campus, outcome # 5.1.