California State University, Monterey Bay
EN-13: Community Stakeholder Engagement

CSUMB engages the surrounding communities on a regular basis through a network of Boards, Chambers of Commerce and regular meetings to get their input regarding issues of mutual concern such as economic development and the impact of the University in the area. The University is surrounded by the cities of Seaside, Marina, Monterey, Sand City, Del Rey Oaks, Pacific Grove, King City, Castroville, Salinas and Gonzales and the Office of University Affairs engages with them daily. While CSUMB is an independent State Institution with its own funding stream, it is of great importance to maintain positive, integrated relations with the numerous cities and stakeholders in the surrounding communities. CSUMB achieves this the old fashioned way, our team meets regularly with and attends events put on by our local governments, Chambers, Churches, Veterans Groups, NGO's, etc. This regular contact affords the University the ability to get their input on issues such as the growth of the University, its Master Plan (revised) process, University infrastructure improvements that impact the community, and most importantly how students interact with, impact and live in the surrounding cities.

The very nature of this University being in such close proximity to so many different cities, each with their own different elected governments, organizations, and community groups means that there is never a shortage of community stakeholders that we engage with and new ones that we are in the process of reaching out to and beginning new engagements. These include vulnerable/underrepresented groups like our local NAACP chapters, Hispanic Health/Labor groups, and Veterans groups, Environmental groups, Children's Advocacy organizations and Women's Health Groups.

NAACP local and student chapters, Blue Frontier Organization on Ocean Preservation, First Five Children's Organization, The United Way, all local Chambers of Commerce, CalVets Veterans Group, New Hope Baptist Church, Greater Victory Temple, Bethel Baptist Church, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, Carol Hatton Breast Care Center/CHOMP, Big Sur Land Trust, Dorothy's Place, Arts Council of Monterey, Veterans Transition Center, LULAC/League of United Latin American Citizens, the Native American Council, Monterey County Hospitality Association, MidPen Housing Organization, Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Organization, Central Coast Center for Independent Living, Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, COPA/Communities Organized for Power in Action, Monterey County Business Council.

The University hosted an Economic Colloquium to involve the community in learning about the economic potential of the regional economy now and in the future. As the only 4 year University in the immediate area, we are constantly reaching out with Educational, Community, and Social events. Another important series that we sponsor which is directed to community stakeholders is the Presidential Speaker Series. This is an annual event that occurs once a quarter where the entire community is invited free of charge. Over the last few years we have touched on important regional topics such as: the state of the Monterey Bay; Regional Transportation issues; Creating the Workforce of the 21st Century; Regional Water issues; the Future of Immigration in the Region, among others. We also just finished hosting former Congresswoman Donna Christiansen, who spoke on Women's Health Issues and the Affordable Care Act. I would assess all of the University's community outreach as successful based on the robust attendance at all of the above events, and the testimony of local political leaders who indicate to our leadership that the community feels invigorated by the frequency and topicality of the events we have sponsored thus far.