CSUSM campus life gearing up for growth

By: LINDSEY BESECKER - For the North County Times | Saturday, August 23, 2003 11:32 PM PDT ∞

SAN MARCOS ---- With the first on-campus housing at Cal State San Marcos opening as classes get underway Sept. 2, many people at this 14-year-old university are laying the groundwork for student life to open up as well.

"We're all hoping to see student organizations grow and student life flourish," said Erik Roper, vice president of external affairs for the student government group Associated Students, Inc. "But ... who knows? There's no telling if that's actually going to happen."

School officials are also hoping that student life will blossom.

"I think it will continue to grow," said Bridget Blanshan, director of residential and student life. "It remains to be seen if it will explode or not."

Becky Martinez, the associate director of campus life and leadership, said that at the 12 orientations held this summer for first-year and transfer students, at least 10 organizations have set up tables to get contacts for potential new members.

"We are seeing an upswing in student life," Martinez said. "The co-curricular experience is very important. As we grow, we can't wait to see that grow."

Martinez said that there are currently about 50 active student organizations on campus, and that the "number is definitely growing."

Blanshan said that the university has been promoting student involvement to the 460 students who will move into on-campus housing on Sept. 30, and that packets sent out to students tell them about the benefits of living on campus.

"We'll do quite a bit to get them acquainted with student organizations," Blanshan said. "Our hope is that those 460 students are very involved with student activities. There are a lot of ways that we would really hope to strengthen student organizations."

Daniel Dollar, vice president of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender student organization and the community colleges liaison for the Accounting Society, said that being a commuter campus has made it difficult for many students at Cal State San Marcos to get involved. An influx of apartment complexes in the area and the residence halls may keep more involved people on campus, he said.

"There may be fewer numbers ... but the people within those organizations, they're committed," Dollar said. "I think (student organizations) will grow exponentially. For most of the kids, it will give them a reason to stay on campus ... and engage in some of that extracurricular activity."

Roper said that at the summer orientation sessions ASI put on a dramatic representation of student life.

"Joe Commuter," played by Roper, and "Joe Cougar," show the two levels of student activity ---- while Joe Commuter goes through a routine, not speaking to anyone, Joe Cougar is involved in student organizations and knows a lot of people on campus. This was the first year that ASI put on such a production for incoming students, and Roper said the feedback was very good.

Sean Mattingly, president of the campus College Republicans, said that the opening of the new dorms prompted him to add another officer position to his group. That person, Eileen Liston, will serve as the vice president of student affairs and will live in the dorms in order to be in close contact with new students.

"If you're on campus and you're connected, it just makes it easier to stay in that mode," Mattingly said. "Having a multitude of ... organizations really gives students an opportunity to get involved in something."

Martinez said that many of the student organizations take the summer off to regroup and set goals for the upcoming year. Dollar said that the LGBT officers meet every two weeks, and are planning a beach party within a few weeks to get the members back together before the school year starts.

He also said that about 25 members participated in the San Diego Gay Pride parade recently. At the orientations, the organization passed out fliers and bumper stickers.

"We're trying to reach the kids before they even get to college," Dollar said.

Mattingly said that his organization gained about 90 new members from the orientations alone. He said that not too long ago there were only four members, including himself, but he saw the need for the group to grow and has turned it into the largest on campus with 171 members.

Contact writer Lindsey Besecker at lbesecker@nctimes.com.