Fall 2015 Kicks Off With Record Number of Students
By Margaret Chantung
California State University San Marcos President Karen Haynes kicked off the official start of fall semester with her 12th annual Convocation address on Thursday, August 27. Speaking to over 500 university faculty and staff, she highlighted recent institutional achievements and set the tone for the upcoming academic year.
“Here, in our 25th anniversary year, we can look forward to a promising and exciting future for Cal State San Marcos,” said Haynes. “A future that builds on our proud past but also goes beyond the achievements of yesterday to take full advantage of the challenges that a rapidly changing world will certainly bring our way.”
The 2015-2016 academic year brings continued growth for CSUSM. Starting on the first day of classes, Monday, August 31, just over 14,000 students are expected to attend either at the main campus or at CSUSM Temecula, including 2,229 freshmen and 1,589 transfer students. This is the largest anticipated enrollment in the university’s 25-year history, representing a total increase of nearly nine percent over the previous year.
Other updates, new additions and changes for the fall semester include:
Move-In Day 2015
About 10 percent of CSUSM’s students will live on campus this year at CSUSM’s two housing facilities. Approximately 620 students will move into the University Village Apartments on Friday, August 28 with another 800 moving into The QUAD on Saturday, August 29.
New Faculty and Programs
CSUSM also welcomes 23 new tenure-track faculty members to teach positions across the campus. New academic programs include a professional science master’s in cybersecurity, a new hospitality management option in the Specialized Accelerated MBA program and a B.A. in Criminology & Justice Studies at CSUSM Temecula. Among the new certificate options offered by CSUSM Extended Learning is Water Leadership and Management program, aimed at training leaders to manage water resources fairly and efficiently, Business of Hospitality and Business Emergency Preparedness Planning.
New Local Athletic Rivalries and The Sports Center Construction Update
As Cougar Athletics enters year two of its three-year transition period into NCAA Division II, CSUSM will play a complete NCAA DII regular season for the first time this fall season in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Local rivals include UC San Diego and 11 other CSU schools. View the upcoming fall season schedule online.
Meanwhile, construction continues on The Sports Center, a 25,000-square-foot athletic venue that will open its doors in less than a year for the 2016 fall season.
New Campus Spaces and Places
Several new spaces on campus include:
The Latin@ Center, which will officially celebrate its grand opening on September 17, opened its doors for the first time in July. Located in the University Student Union (USU 3300), the Latin@ Center is a welcoming place for all students to celebrate and enhance understanding of the Latin@ culture. In addition, the Center will implement support services aimed at helping Latin@ students develop the leadership and academic skills they need for success.
The CSUSM University Store, previously located in Craven Hall near Founders Plaza, has reopened in the Dome, providing enhanced shopping at one central location. The store now offers more space for textbooks, as well as an enlarged gift and apparel section to highlight Cougar pride. View store hours online.
Campus Starbucks is now open after undergoing renovations to create a more open layout. Hours for Starbucks and other campus dining options are viewable online.