It’s Your Democracy

Welcome back. We hope everyone had a safe and restful spring break. With less than two months of the academic year left, we are excited to present to you issue four of the Otter Realm for the semester.

 

This issue is jam-packed with informative articles written by talented Otter Realm reporters and creative page layouts by our design class. Our front page article is about President Dianne Harrison and her newly appointed position as President at California State University, Northridge. As we congratulate and wish her the best, it is also an exciting time for the CSUMB community.

 

Plans are underway to hire our new President. As of right now, it appears there will be two committees involved in the selection. One committee will be community based, consisting of students and faculty. This committee will make recommendations to the second committee, which is made up of the board of trustees who will have the final say on the new president. Until then, CSUMB will have an interim president who will be selected by the chancellor.

 

Beginning her 30 year career at Florida State University as a faculty member, Harrison worked her way up to vice president for academic quality and external programs before coming to CSUMB six years ago. “Together we have witnessed enrollment growth, expanded academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, the new Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library, and increased external funds from both research and private gifts,” said Harrison in her official letter to the campus community.

 

Harrison and all of us at The Otter Realm are proud of her work and achievements while with us at CSUMB. “My optimism for the University’s future stems from the unwavering efforts of CSU Monterey Bay’s dedicated faculty, staff and administrators and from the students we serve,” added Harrison. We deeply appreciate Dr. Dianne Harrison and the many advancements she has overseen on this campus.

 

Additionally, we present to you an extensive centerfold of the upcoming AS elections and all the candidates. Although some positions are uncontested, others are sure to be a close call. Democracy has a chance to come alive on campus but it is all dependent on you. CSUMB students hold a power, a power which you should protect, to elect representatives who will act as voice for you. And if by some chance you see you do not like or agree with any of the candidate’s views, then I encourage you to run for office next year. Take democracy into your own hands and vote accordingly.

 

This issue I am proud to publish this year’s first letter to the editor. As production staff member Adam Dikeman states, we strive to be a diverse publication full of CSUMB voices and opinions. We welcome you all to write in and let us know how you think we are doing, or if there is anything specifically you  would like further coverage on. We highly value this participation and will encourage it however we can.