Pros and Cons of Being an Otter
PROS AND CONS OF BEING AN OTTER
By Lauren “Sophia” Whitmore
Before committing to CSU Monterey Bay, there’s a wide range of factors for prospective students to consider, from housing to class sizes to the diversity of the school’s student body.
How, then, could someone make a decision on whether to attend this school or not? One way is by weighing the pros and cons.
CSU Monterey Bay is one of twenty-three public universities in the CalState system. Located on the central coast of California, the school is known for its marine science program and its lovable mascot, an otter named Monte Rey. In 2023, CSU Monterey Bay was ranked number 131 on Forbes magazine’s America’s Top Colleges List. The College Transitions website placed the school at number 13 on a list of all twenty-three Cal State campuses, ranked from best to worst. In 2024, the U.S. News and World Report placed CSU Monterey Bay at number 6 on its list of top public schools, a high honor for the university.
More than any rankings, it’s the academics that bring students to CSU Monterey Bay. Though it’s best known for its marine science program, the school offers a wide variety of majors. “CSUMB had the major I wanted and I heard the community was welcoming,” writes Quinton, an admitted student. Quinton will attend CSU Monterey Bay starting in fall of 2024 and major in marine science.
Eunice Casa, whose major is Cinematic Arts and Technology, came to CSU Monterey Bay for a similar reason. “They had a really big opportunity to work with Pixar and I went for it.” CSU Monterey Bay is best known for its science programs, specifically its marine science major. Even so, students here are still able to find success with degrees in the arts.
The diverse student body also entices applicants to CSU Monterey Bay. As of 2023, roughly half of the school’s six thousand undergraduate students were first generation college attendees.The students at CSU Monterey Bay also work to create safe spaces for those with marginalized identities. El Centro is an organization on campus with the mission of uplifting latine staff and students. It hosts events such as Spanish conversation groups and financial literacy workshops.
In addition to El Centro are the African Heritage Faculty and Staff Alliance (AHFSA) and the Helen Rucker Center for Black Excellence. The goal of both is to uplift and amplify the voices of Black and brown students on campus. AHFSA does this by providing mentorship opportunities, including job and career advising. It also provides a space for Black students to meet one another, solve personal and educational problems, and to work with peers and mentors alike. The Helen Rucker Center also gives students the chance to do research with peer and professional mentors. It provides funding for textbooks, academic conferences, and tests and preparation fees for postgraduate school.
Ryen Martinez, a sophomore studying Humanities and Communications, writes that the upsides of attending CSUMB include its “diverse population” and “LGBTQ+ friendly campus.”
Despite the diverse student body, the administrative faculty at C.S.U. Monterey Bay does not work with the school’s activist organizations. The ADLC (Abolitionist & Decolonial Learning Collective) has the radical goal of dismantling oppressive systems. They were present at Admitted Otters Day, an event where future students had a chance to tour and learn about the school. Their table at the event displayed signs that called attention to issues such as tuition hikes and black mold found on campus. However, senior faculty members approached ADLC members and accused them of deterring future students from attending C.S.U Monterey Bay. It’s worth clarifying that El Centro, the ADLC, and the Helen Rucker Center are run mainly by students. They are not affiliated with the school administration.
Issues of walkability, lack of housing, and the cost of parking are other issues brought up by students. Olivia Dowd, a junior studying psychology, greatly enjoys CSU Monterey Bay for its small, quiet campus and the scenic ocean views. However, she writes that “parking is competitive and overpriced,” and that there is “not enough housing and housing is expensive.”
The issues of parking and housing is a common concern among students at CSU Monterey Bay. CSU Monterey Bay is an isolated campus located far from any downtown areas. As such, it “Feels like you need a car to explore,” in the words of sophomore Sarah Pronge. Despite this isolation, it’s expensive for students to park and keep their cars on campus. Parking passes for an entire school year cost four hundred and five dollars ($405) for students.
Several students have also expressed concern about black mold and asbestos, which have been found in many of the older buildings on campus. Additionally, many students avoid eating on campus due to the food here not being fresh. I myself once made a salad from the salad bar in the dining commons, only to realize the vegetables I was eating were moldy. Sarah Pronge agrees that the “food is not the best.” In April of 2024, In April of 2024, students on campus protested at the launch of a new logo for the school, asserting that the money used for the rebrand should have been spent on fixing issues on campus.
CSUMB has a diverse student body and offers a wide array of majors. As a bonus, it’s close to the beach. However, getting around the area without a car is difficult, and parking passes cost over four hundred dollars. Additionally, the school’s administration has failed to address issues of black mold and asbestos on campus, or provide better dining options. Administrative staff members have also deterred activism on campus. This doesn’t mean, however, that C.S.U. Monterey. Bay is a bad school. Far from it, as its rankings and accolades would suggest. Regardless, before deciding to attend C.S.U. Monterey Bay or not, it’s important to weigh both pros and cons.
