On-Campus or Off-Campus dorms?

When choosing on campus housing, students have the choice of choosing from on campus housing or off campus housing. On campus housing options include Residence Commons, International House, Parkside Commons, Los Alamitos and Los Cerritos and the off campus building, Residence Learning Center.

Although the on-campus dorms give students the convenience of not having to travel, most students would agree the off- campus RLC is nicer and better updated. Jesse Harren, a sophomore who lives in RLC says that he enjoys the amenities and the separation of the RLC building. "I like that i am separated from campus while still receiving all the benefits of an on campus dorm. Its like RLC is its own little community."

RLC has benefits that the on campus dorms don't have, like wifi, bigger rooms, air conditioning and less people sharing the bathroom. RLC also has an on site pool, study lounges and a multipurpose room with ping pong tables.

Although RLC has many perks that the on campus dorms don't have, students pay a higher price and aren't as close to campus. Many students enjoy that they can roll out of bed and make it to class. Eden Michele, a freshmen who lives in Parkside, is a late sleeper and enjoys that she can still get to class in time. "I always sleep past my alarm and if I wasn't living on campus, I would never make it to class on time"

 Pictures and Videos from CSULB residential life site

Disruptions in on campus housing

Despite continuing surveillance from campus police and resident assistants, many students still choose to drink and smoke in their rooms. Multiple citation have been issued this semester to students who have been caught breaking the rules.
Two minors have been caught in the dorms, one playing beer pong is Residents Commons and one caught in possession of marijuana in RLC. After the police broke up both gatherings, both minors were released to their parents, University Police Captain Scott Brown told the Daily 49er.
One RA stated in a building meeting that she had issued 27 citations this semester, on alcohol and drug use along.Many students complained of citations for alcohol use, even when they weren't the ones drinking.
"I was cited for drinking when I was in a room that had one beer can in it," said freshmen Ben Jones. "No one was drunk, we were just sitting making no noise during rounds and everyone got a citation."
According to the Residence Hall Handbook, after 3 write ups a student can get kicked out of the residence halls. Write ups can be from drinking, drugs, guest violation, noise, pets, dangerous items or inappropriate conduct.
"I think it can be kind of unfair, because its all up to the RA," says Jones. "They decide when the noise is too much or who to write up and that's not always fair. I just hope all the RAs can be impartial"

Link to Daily 49er article

Energy Competition over!

CSULB is now the owner of a new foosball table after winning in the second annual energy competition against Fullerton. 

The month long competition had each building participating against each other for pizza and ice cream parties in an effort to bring a win against Fullerton.
Not only did students win against Fullerton, but residents saved more energy then last year, according to an article in the Daily 49er.  Allie Bussjaeger, the Green Campus team manager said more students participated this year, making the competiton a success.
Winning the energy competition had restored a new sense of pride in CSULB students. 
Resident at RLC, Lashanae McMillan told the Daily 49er, "If we can beat out Fullerton, we can beat any other school at anything." She is confident CSULB will come out on top.
Students are hoping that not only will this competition bring them a new foosball table but hopefully work to lower residential rates for next year.

Link to daily 49er article

Safety cameras on campus really to keep us safe?

Cameras have been in place on the campus since October 2007. They were put on campus due to theft, but have served many uses to the campus police.
When the camera security system was installed, it was the first security system of its size on a CSU campus. Since then other campuses have followed the example. 
Since the cameras have been in place, vehicle theft has dropped by 76 percent. But that's not the only thing that police are keeping an eye out for. In 2009, Kris McConkie told the Daily 49er of an incident where the police came to invesitgate a group of students smoking cigarettes between buildings. McConkie said the police didnt say anyone complained, so they must have seen them on the cameras.
Recently the most students are concerned about the cameras in the parking lots. "If students are walking in with alcohol and it's clear, then that would be reason to send an officer. It's a violation of campus policies and it's against the law if they're underage," Lt Scott Willey said.
Many students have reported being caught on the cameras smoking pot in their cars. Although students know this is illegal, they feel its an unfair way to be caught and a violation of their privacy.
Carol Roberts-Corb, director of Housing and Residential Life, told the Daily 49er in 2009, "There may be a smaller minority that feels that the cameras are intrusive, while the greater majority feels safer."
Link to Daily 49er article

Campus Events

Students at The Price is Right Event

Every semester RAs plan a number events for residents. These events are thrown to get students involved on campus and to provide a fun alternative to students other then breaking dorm rules by having parties or drinking.

Swapping styles event

"I think the events we throw as RAs are very important for the residents." says Tiffany Prentiss an RA in the residence commons dorms." I think its a great way to keep students from getting written up by trying to have fun staying in the dorms."

Do it in the dark event

Although most dorm events are free, many students don't attend. Most students feel that the events are boring or not worth their time.
"I don't have time to waste on campus events. I have my classes and work. On my free time I don't want to spend it at a structured event. I just want to spend time with my friends." says Devin King a Freshman Communications major.
The student events are paid for from room and board costs, so all students are technically paying for these events, that many of them choose to not attend.
"I would rather see the dorms cost less money and not have these events be on campus," says King.

Safety in the Dorms

Southern Virginia University, a small college in central Virginia, had to evacuate the residence halls overnight after the college received bomb threats. Situations like these make many students think about how safe our residence hall are and if there was an emergency, would they feel protected.

Link to Washington Post story on Virgina Colleges bomb threat


According to CSULB's police web site, last year the only issues faced in the residence halls was 22 arrests, 19 of which were for drug possession and three for weapon possession. That is lower then CSULA, CSUN and Cal Poly Pomona, which are all also in the LA area.

Dr. Stevens talk about ways to stay safe on campus

CSULB has taken many measures to make the campus safe. Scattered in the residence hall campus and the main campus there are blue emergency buttons. When these buttons are pressed, CSULB police get the signal and can arrive as fast as possible. The police also offer a escort service. Students studying late campus can get a free escort back to the dorms.

Courtney Howard, a sophomore who resides in Parkside, says she feels safe on campus. "I know that if I get in trouble and press an emergency button, the police will be there very quickly. The school has a lot of great programs so everyone can feel safe here."

 photo from Rinn Law Library

Dorm Pricing

In the middle of the energy saver competition, many student are hoping that saving energy could help them save money on housing costs. The complaint that housing prices are too high is a very common complaint in college students. But housing costs at CSULB aren't as bad as they are in other places.
CSULB housing costs for the year is on average $10,360. Compared to nearby schools like Chapman at $12,832 and UCLA at $13,310, Long Beach students save money. Jennifer Harris, a sophomore who lives in the dorms, doesn't think the housing prices are all that bad. "I think we get a lot of privileges that you don't get when you live on your own. Its so much more convenient and that in itself is worth what we pay."
Not all students feel that the benefits out weight the costs. "I am hoping that these energy competitions save us all a little money on dorms," says Jack Piaz, a freshman, "We could pay rent in our own apartment for what were paying here, and not have all the rules."
Even Long Beach's rival school, Cal State Fullerton, has slightly higher dorm prices at $10,587. So compared to many other schools, CSULB has an average dorm pricing but many students still save energy in hopes of cutting costs.

Annual College Costs ( Fall 2011 ): CSULB

	on-campus	at home	Commuting, not living at home
In-state tuition and fees:	$6,240	$6,240	$6,240
Out-of-state tuition and fees:	$17,400	$17,400	$17,400
Room and board:	$11,038	$4,346	$10,862
Books and supplies:	$1,656	$1,656	$1,656
Estimated personal expenses:	$2,552	$2,790	$2,522
Transportation expense:	$1,266	$1,362	$1,326

Versus

Annual College Costs ( Fall 2011): CSUF
on-campus         at home        Commuting, not living at home In-state tuition and fees: $6,128 $6,128 $6,128 Out-of-state tuition and fees: $17,288 $17,288 $17,288 Room and board: $10,587 $4,347 $12,000 Books and supplies: $1,656 $1,656 $1,656 Estimated personal expenses: $2,900 $2,900 $2,900 Transportation expense: $1,200 $1,300 $1,300

Do it in the Dark

Fridays Do it in the Dark event wasn't just a fun glow stick party. It was a kickstart for the "Energy Savers Do it in the Dark" competition with CSU Fullerton, which started Saturday.

On the CSULB campus, every building competes each week, to see who can save the most energy. There is weekly prizes like pizza and sundae parties. Last year the competition saved housing $4,000.

Alexa Augustin, a junior at CSULB, told the Daily 49er that last years competiton helped her become more energy conscious.She now makes an effort to save enegry by turning unplugging more appliances.

The competiton with Fullerton will end at the end of the month, at which time it the winner will be revealed and the loosing school will buy a new foosball table for the winning school.

Photo from http://www.top10mustknow.com/10-ways-to-save-energy-at-home/

Link to Article in Daily 49er: http://www.daily49er.com/news/csulb-dorm-residents-to-do-it-in-the-dark-with-fullerton-1.2640994

Dorm Privacy

A common complaint of students living in the residence halls is the lack of privacy. Not only do you have to share a room with another person, but the RA and Residence coordinators have almost complete access to your room.
Many students aren't used to sharing a room with another person. It can be difficult to get used to someone always being in your space or always having to work around someone else's schedule. "The bathrooms are usually the worst part," says Jaimie Miller, a transfer student. "Sometimes when I want to get in the shower, someone else has the same idea right before me and I miss my chance."
Not only that, but at any time an RA can walk into your suite. If they hear any noise and you refuse to open your door, they have the ability to write you up. Even if your walking into to the dorms, they can check your bag at anytime.They can check your fridge or any of your personal belongings. When you sign your lease, you give up complete control of your own privacy.
"I don't think its fair to take away ALL our privacy like that. I understand them trying to keep people safe, but I'm an adult, and I should be able to keep some of my privacy to myself," says Miller, who was recently written up because of a beer can in her room. "When they make decisions to give write ups for noise or for one beer can in the room, they don't take into account that some people that may be around, weren't involved."

Dorm Events

CSULB residence have a lot to look forward to in these next weeks. Students have the opportunity to sign up for many activities planned by the Housing Association.

On Sunday, the halls will be hosting a rec center day. Residents will get a fitness evaluation and get to learn more about the machines in the gym. The rock wall and pool will be open and snacks will be provided for those who attend.

Friday Sept 30, residence can get a workout paddelboarding in the Marina Pacific. After two hours of paddelboarding, students can come back to the residence dining hall and grab some pizza. To sign up you must know how to swim, but you can contact the residence office for sign ups.

In the evening, Dance in the Dark will be held on the Los Alamitos lawn. It will be held in a big white tent and it will be lit with black lights. If you bring your own white shirt, highlighters and paint will be avaliable for you to decorate it with.

Residence have responded well to all the activities planned. Freshman Barbara Dolen say she "glad they plan events like these and if there free, I'll be there."For more information on these events you can ask an RA or the office.