Student Activism Leads CSUMB to Waive the Winter Housing Fee
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Vol. 3 Issue 9 CSUMB Student-Run Newspaper Nov. 7, 2019 Student activism leads CSUMB to waive the winter housing fee Story and photos by Sydney Brown opportunity to speak publicly about it. Kait Gruber, the marched through main campus, continuing that same Community Director in the Promontory Apartments, said chant as they went. California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) was that RA’s were “unfortunately unable to give interviews requiring its students to pay an $800 fee in order to stay without permission” from the officials of the housing The day after attending the demonstration, Cooper sent in their Main Campus residences over the 2020 winter department. an email announcing that he’s “agreed to waive the fee semester, but after hearing the concerns of many CSUMB for this term.” He also said that Student Housing and students, decided to waive the fee. MEChA decided to take their advocacy a step further Residential Life “will reevaluate the need for a winter by hosting a demonstration on Friday, Nov. 1 called housing fee and roll out a communication plan for any CSUMB Student Housing and Residential Life sent out the “Residents, Not Revenue Demonstration.” Students changes that might occur next year.” an email on Oct. 17 announcing the details about the were encouraged to talk about their concerns with the winter housing process and the fee that was required to winter housing fee. They provided markers and paper for Housing and Residential life will also be “committed to stay on campus during the winter. The email explained participants to create signs where they could write down hosting a housing forum in January 2020 to communicate “continuing students who will not be staying over break any of their thoughts about the fee. Many participants any changes that may be implemented for the 2020-2021 are allowed to leave their belongings in their assigned held their signs up and gathered around the lawn, giving year.” space but will not be allowed to access that space during their attention to the individuals who decided to speak the dates listed above,” unless they, “complete the winter publicly to the crowd of the demonstration. To stay on campus for the winter term, students must housing application [and] pay the winter housing cost of complete a winter housing application on their My $800.” “Housing, help me,” was the first phrase CSUMB student, Housing portal by Nov. 7, but will no longer be charged a Jaime Damian, declared as he spoke in front of the crowd fee of any kind. This was the first time the winter housing fee had been at the demonstration. Damian said he's “tired” of the fees implemented, and the news surprised many CSUMB appointed by the housing department. students, residential advisors (RA’s) and faculty members. Top: Students gather to participate in the winter housing demonstration. Bottom: Leaders of the MEChA Organization discuss the concerns “I want to do something so my voice is heard,” said around the winter housing fee. To further express the troubles the fee may cause for Damian. “I don’t want to be homeless for four weeks. I students, the CSUMB faculty advisor for Movimiento need to be able to financially support myself.” Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA), Daramola N. Cabral, sent out an email to spread awareness about Later on during the demonstration, a representative of winter housing titled, “The Winter Housing Insecurity.” MEChA read some of the statistics they found through the Google Forum they created, announcing that 52.2 The MEChA organization further explained they and percent of students who filled out the forum can’t afford Jasmine Morin, a CSUMB RA, “worked in collaboration the new cost. to spearhead the advocacy part of this issue” by creating a Google Forum and attaching it to the email. The forum The demonstration was held outside of the Office of the left a place for students to write about the issues they Student Housing and Residential Life, and upon hearing have with the housing fee. students speak out, Jeff Cooper, Director of Student Housing and Residential Life, came to say a few words. “Over 300 students who have filled out our form to discuss their situations and how this new policy change “Thanks for coming out here today,” said Cooper. “We will negatively affect them,” said MEChA. “The biggest (the housing department) care about what you have to say recurring issue that we saw was many students were and I’ve been taking notes. I want to hear what you have planning to stay over the Winter Break to be able to work to say. I’m going to try to find solutions to better meet and stay financially stable for next semester, but they now you needs.” will not be able to.” After his statement, students proceeded with the They said they had also “shared the forum with Housing demonstration to further exhibit their displeasement with Officials, but hadn’t yet seen any action by them on the fee. “What do we want?” cheered students, replying, publicly addressing this issue,” until later on last week. “Affordable housing!” Other RA’s besides Morin were concerned about how the They held up their signs, asking, “When do we want it?” fee would’ve affected their residents, but didn’t have the They replied unhesitantly, saying, “Now!” Participants Day of the Dead Enrollment ConsistentHoroscopes How CSUMB fast facts ChangingWhat the signs & celebrated Dia de can expectThe Fall 2019 enrollment fast facts reflect many los Muertos A breakdown this monthconsistent and changing California State University, of CSUMB’s Monterey Bay (CSUMB) demographics. demographics for Fall 2019 Page 2 Page 3 Page 6 Student population grew at a steady rate until 2016, where population began averaging at about 7,600. There are currently 7,616 students at CSUMB, which is slightly less than Fall 2018’s student population of 7,975. One-third of the campus is comprised of seniors, consistent with data stretching as far back as 2012, and the junior class is 7616 the only student level to see growth from Students 2018 to 2019. Gender Race/Ethnicity 326 African American 4% Women 4,743 Men 2,868 593 Asian American 8% Nonbinary 5 3,315 Latino 44% The ratio of women to men has remained the same at about 2:1, which has also been consistent 50 Native American 1% since 2012. The predominant undergraduate age group is 21-24, being 42 percent of the undergraduate population. 474 Other/Decline 6% However, this demographic has recently decreased ever-so-slightly, with the 1% headcount at 3,100 in 2017 and 2,831 in 63 Pacific Islander 2019. The second-largest undergrad age population is 18-20, made up of 2,523 students, which is in close proximity of the 601 Two or More Races 8% 2018 18-20 year-old population. 2,194 White 29% percent of Undergraduates from undergraduates under-represented groups 21% Adult Students Under-represented minorities (URM) The population of Tri-County (Monterey, now make up 50 percent of San Benito, and Santa Cruz county) CSUMB’s undergraduate students. students is rising, as the population of 51% First Generation This demographic has been climbing; students from other parts of California only 43 percent of undergrad is decreasing. Thirty-two percent of the students were URM students in Fall undergraduate population are from 50% Under-represented 2014. URMs are defined as those Monterey county specifically. There are Minority who are Indigenous American, slightly more out-of-country undergrad Native Alaskan, African American, students than out-of-state, as has been Mexican American or Puerto Rican. the case since Fall 2014 (3 percent and 2 32% Low Inome percent, respectively). The biggest first major among undergraduates is business administration, and the second is psychology. Both have made up between 20 to 25 percent of the undergraduate population since Fall 2012. 2 Campus 11.7.19 thelutrinae.com Day of the Dead celebration lights the night The Lutrinae is a weekly campus newspaper covering CSUMB and its neighboring areas. Here at The Lutrinae, our goal is not only to educate and inform the public, but to entertain, to spark creativity, to encourage diversity of opinion, and to build a sense of community on campus and with the neighboring cities. Vol. 3, Issue 9 Editorial The Staff Policy Editor-In-Chief The Lutrinae is a student- Jenna Ethridge run publication produced [email protected] for the students of CSUMB. Production Manager Opinions expressed herein Mikko Mananghaya do not necessarily reflect the views of The Lutrinae, Assistant Editor CSUMB administration, Story and photos by Claudia Rocha Arianna Nalbach faculty, or staff. Visual and Public Art (VPA) hosted their 23rd annual wanting a traditional skull look. Paper decorations were Advertising Manager The Lutrinae serves two Day of the Dead celebration on Nov. 1 in honor of strung from the tops of the building were reminiscent of Sydney Brown purposes: It is a training Dia de los Muertos, located at VPA building 72. The Disney film “Coco.” Nearing the end of the event, Aztec ground for students who Webmaster students from the course VPA 209: Day of The Dead dancers performed to the beat of drums and welcomed Carlos Estrada wish to develop journalism Workshop, taught by Dr. Mendoza, spent all semester the ancestors to enjoy the offerings as part of their skills and build their planning the event. ceremony. Distribution Manager resume, and it is a forum for Madi Rapella free expression of campus issues and news. The The course is founded on tenants of community Third-year student Sebastian Mireles attended the event.