All Incoming Freshmen Must Live in Dorms

All incoming freshmen will be required to live in the dorms starting next fall unless they meet specific circumstances.

The reasoning behind this requirement, which President F. King Alexander has already signed, is to make Cal State Long Beach less of a commuter campus. It is also due to the lack of students living in on campus this year.

"I think that it's great that they are trying to make Cal State Long Beach less of a commuter campus, but I also think that incoming freshmen should not be forced to live in the dorms," said Lauren Fenner, a Junior and Fashion Merchandising Major who lived in the dorms for her first two years of college.

The only freshmen who are given the exception of living in the dorms are those that are married, over the age of 21, or of military or veteran status. Those who are living at home with their parents or guardians, are independent students or have medical needs are also given the choice.

"In reality, the new policy will only affect about 10 percent of incoming freshmen," said Carol-Roberts-Corb, the director of housing and residential life.

Documentation of proof is required for all circumstances.

For more information view the Daily 49er Article.

Winter Break Information

The dorm regulations for winter break are a little different than during fall and spring semesters. All students have to be out of the dorms on Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. sharp unless they have paid the additional winter fees.

If students want to continue living in the dorms over the five week break, they are required to pay a $400 fee. This is in addition to the $1500 that students are already paying for tuition to take one course during the winter session.

"$1500 is a little much for only five weeks of class, I think the winter tuition should be a third of that. I think the fee for those staying in the dorms is fair though because they are not charging for food," said Kyle Fraser, a Sophmore and Residential Assistant in building "N" of Parkside Commons.

If students have not left the dorms by 7 p.m. on Dec. 18, they will be locked out of their rooms. To get back in, they will have to pay the $400 fee.

"I think with the budget decreases it is unfair to charge students who are living in the dorms because at this time the economy is making many people low on money. It is just making more students have to leave the dorms," said Blake Matthews, a Sophmore and Communication major.

The dining hall will not be open and providing meals for those who choose to stay during winter break. There will also be limited security at the dorms during that time period.
For more information or questions visit the Housing and Residential Life office by Parkside Commons.

Picture Taken From wdjohnson

Stocking Stuffing For Seniors

Students living in the dorms can help bring holiday cheer to residents of the Magnolia Rotale Retirement Center. This Thursday, Dec. 3, students can come decorate ornaments and stuff stockings for the Seniors.

The event is free and will take place in Parkside Dining Hall from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.

"It's an easy and fun way to give back to the Long Beach community during the holidays. Me and a couple of my friends are planning on attending," said Jeff McCarthy, a Sophmore and a member of the U.S. Active Duty Army.

Christmas treats will be provided for those who come to help out.
Picture Taken From Cyber-Kitchen

It's Snow Time!

The first ski and snowboard trip of the season for dorm students has arrived! The trip will be on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 at Bear Mountain.

For those who already have their own snowboarding or skiing gear, the cost is only $34. If a rental is needed, the cost is $39.

"I went last year and had a blast! Plus, it's a great deal compared to what you would normally pay," said Megan Fisher, a Junior and Liberal Arts major.

Transportation is provided. For more information students can contact Residential Assistants Kim in building "M" or Aaron at the Residential Learning College.

Picture Taken From Info Barrel

Multi-Cultural Night

Want to learn about different cultures? A free multi-cultural night is being held for dorm students at The Pointe on Monday, Dec. 7, 2009.

The event will provide crafts, food, prizes and entertainment for all attendees. It will take place from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

"I think that it is great way to expose people to all different cultures. Living here in Long Beach is like living in a bubble. Most people don't know much about the rest of the world, " said Lauren Del Rio, a 20-year-old Communication Studies major.

The Pointe is located in The Walter Pyramid here on campus. For more information students can contact Residential Assistants Amber in building "H" or Ivy in building "L" of Parkside Commons.

Performance Night

Musical and comedic talent will fill Parkside Dining Hall at what is being called "Performance Night" on Nov. 18. The event will take place from 9 to 11 p.m. and is free to all who are performing and any who want to come watch.

Dorm students who are musicians and comedians will compete at this event. The audience will then vote on who they thought the best performers were. The top three performers will receive ticketmaster gift cards.

"I think that it is going to be a really fun and entertaining night. I can't wait to see who wins!" said Kyle Smith, a Senior and Communication major here at Long Beach State.

All performers were pre-selected and had to submit a demo before signing up for Performance night. Free snacks and desserts will be provided to all attendees who come to watch the performers.

Video Taken From YouTube

Haunted Hallway

The Residential Learning College is making light of how empty the building is in spirit of Halloween this year. The third floor, which is vacant, will be transformed into the "Haunted Hallway" on Thursday, Oct. 29.

The event is free and will take place from 8 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. Haunted mazes filled with zombies will take over the third floor.This event is one of several planned by the director of the RLC in order to spice life up at the off-campus housing.

All students, on or off-campus, are welcome to attend the event. Free food, drinks and prizes will be provided.

Photo Taken from thehaunthouse.com

Project Kindle Comes to the RLC

The Residential Learning College is holding a dance marathon on Nov. 6, 2009 to raise money for an organization known as Project Kindle. The non-profit organization provides cost free services to adolescents and their families who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

There will be four hours of dancing from 8pm to 12am and all attendees are asked to make an $8 donation upon entrance. Project Kindle, formerly known as Camp Kindle, has multiple camp sessions a year for children and teens who have HIV/AIDS.

"I think it's beneficial for the children to meet other kids who are going through the same disease that they are going through so that they don't feel alone," said Kelli Beck, a Senior and theatre major at Cal State Long Beach.

Other schools that have held dance marathons to raise funds for Project Kindle are UCLA and Northwestern University. The latter raised a total of $586,666.
Video From Youtube.

Central Park Coffee Shop is No More

There won't be any more late night coffee runs for Parkside dorm students. The Central Park coffee shop is no longer open this semester.

Central Park coffee shop is located in the Parkside Commons dorm office. Students are usually found there enjoying coffee beverages while studying. However, due to the budget cuts, the school could no longer afford to keep the coffee shop running.

"I can't get my late night coffee for studying like I
used to," said 19-year-old Blake Bruenning, one of many disappointed students.

There is no news on when it will be reopening, if ever. Students are hoping for the best.

Picture Taken From www.csulb.edu/housing/

Housing Still Available

Picture Taken From CSULB Housing Page

For the first time in years, there is no waiting list for housing on campus at CSULB. In fact, it is quite the opposite with about 90 spaces still available.

Normally students have to fight for the limited amount of spaces available in the 18 residence hall buildings on campus.

" I think there are a variety of reasons," said Carol Roberts-Corb, director of Housing and Residential Life, when asked why she thought the dorms were so vacant. She specified that the number of bed spaces were increased by 564 due to the opening of the Residential Learning College, formerly known as Brooks College. At the same time the number of students admitted to the univerity was decreased by about 3,000.

Roberts-Corb also thought the economy definitely had an effect as well.

Students can still apply to live both at the on campus dorms and at the Residential Learning College online.

Knott's Scary Farm Haunt!!!

For those of you who love the spirit of Halloween and Knott's Berry Farm, low price tickets to Knott's Scary Farm Haunt are now available to students who live in the dorms.

Tickets to attend on October 9 from 7pm to 2am are only $20. This is in comparison to the regular price of $54 if purchased on the day of at the gate. Knott's Scary Farm Haunt is an event during the month of October where Knott's Berry Farm is transformed into a haunted theme park full of fun scary mazes, rides and creatures.

To purchase tickets or ask any questions students should contact Residential Assistant Mark in building D. Transportation is not provided.

Photo Taken From About.com: Theme Parks

Three Strikes & You're Out!

The dorms have new rules and regulations for the write-up system this year.

Not only are students kicked out of the dorms after they receive three write-ups, they are now suspended for a whole semester. Students can get what are known as "write-ups" for behavior such as having alcohol in the dorms, being caught with drugs and having more than six people in one room at once.

"I think the new regulations are a little extreme, but if you have to reinforce them for the students' own safety then it's understandable," said 19-year-old Kyle Fraser, residential assistant for building N in Parkside Commons Dorms.

Undie Run

A new tradition is being started at CSULB on Tuesday, Sept. 29 with the what is is being called the "Undie Run".

Students in the dorms and their friends are invited to show up in their underwear, running shoes and sweatbands for a run across campus to show some pride. The run will start at parking lot 14D in front of Parkside Commons dorms at 7: 15 p.m.

The "Undie Run" is being hosted by the boys of Los Alamitos dorms. It is also being treated as a welcome event for all the students who just moved into the dorms to have some fun.

Some other universities that have held undie runs are UCLA, SDSU, UCSD and Chapman University.

Picture taken from Facebook
"Undie Run" Event site.

Mission Statement

To provide accurate and entertaining news on the sleeping, eating and socializing habits of students living it up in the dorms here at Cal State Long Beach.