Stop Mandatory On Campus Housing

College is costly enough without adding even more in this requirement.

Alumni. Agree with petition prompt. Forced housing is a burden and detrimental to the mental well being of pupils. Maslow's hierarchy of needs suggests that shelter / home forms the foundation of a human's psyche and total realized potential.

Have you lived there and shared a room for years?

When I went to CMA, I lived on campus: but I made that choice! I do NOT think living on campus should be a requirement; it's likely to steer good people away from the school, and quite possibly the profession. I do not see how it would be in anyone's best interest to force everyone to live on campus?

There's a small list of maritime academies in the US. The list of Academies that allow off campus living is smaller. The exceptions are important. If California Maritime would've required me to live on campus, even as an older cadet, I would have gone elsewhere. I think future older cadets won't enroll if you have a blanket on-campus policy.

I'm a long-time Vallejo resident and proud parent of a cadet graduating this spring. He recently passed his 3rd Assistant Engineer US Coast Guard licensing exams which is great since he will need to get a good job to pay back all of the unnecessary loans he had to take out to pay for housing and meal plans he never actually needed. The housing policy at CSUM has been one bait and switch after another. At the time he committed to attend Cal Maritime we were assured that he would only be required to live on campus for his freshman year. Great, since we live just a few miles from campus and don't have need of housing. The next year the policy changed to require a certain number of completed units which would have made him eligible in the middle of the year - while still under a housing contract for the full academic year. The third year we learned that "eligible for off-campus housing" changed to mean eligible for off-campus housing by lottery so he was required to live on campus yet again. His fourth year he was finally granted off-campus housing only for that to be revoked for his fifth year. Only by special agreement with the dean did we secure off-campus housing for his final year. Since moving off campus I've seen an improvement in both my son's emotional health and his GPA. That's no coincidence. Other local parents whose students are considering CSUM have asked me about our experience with CSUM. I've advised that they not make their decision based on the misguided notion that they will save money on housing and meal plans - no matter what they've been told when visiting campus. Since my son started his freshman year at Cal Maritime we've seen the construction of a new dining hall, the acquisition and demolition of the old Vallejo Inn, the construction of the new Aquatic Center, and the construction of the new Police Station. The amount of money required for all of these projects boggles the mind. And yet this progress is not enough for the current administ

On canpus housing that is mandatory is unfair

300 off campus.. school's business is education. Not money..

yea

I chose to attend CSUM because it prepares college aged students for the future in ways no other university can. But making it so that every student has to live on campus severely hinders that chance. It robs students of the opportunity to grow as adults and prepare themselves for the real world. It is almost impossible to find a job while a student due to the fact that a lot of the working opportunities are in San Francisco or Oakland, and commuting there without BART is near impossible due to the heavy traffic. Part of adult life is budgeting for food and other expenses, something which cannot be done when the school provides for everything, not to mention at an outrageous housing/dining rate which nearly quadruples the expenses for in-state students and those that live in the Bay Area. Overall the mandatory on campus policy is viewed less as a chance for us students to grow, but more as a money grabbing method. If the California State University Maritime Academy truly valued its ideals of preparing cadets for the future, then it would loosen the off campus living requirements and allow its students to truly be prepared for life after college.

8 years ago Featured

As a former CMA student and graduate, I agree that students should not be forced to stay at the motel 6. It is dangerous and most of all unsanitary. Simply ask yourself: Would you make your own family stay the night at this motel?

I’ve actually stayed at motel 6, it’s not that bad guys

This is extortion. CSUM is a STATE school, funded by the public and students. The school has a responsibility to the public to be accessible for students from all incomes. I saved more than 50% in room/board by moving off campus. The majority of my student loans come from living on campus, but I went to CMA for an education, not for a place to live. As a state school, the school must be held accountable to the public it serves; it must be responsive to this petition and it must respect the students' peaceful communication of discontent. Any administrator who seeks to undermine this system has lost sight of the academy's role as a public service and is failing the students (and tax payers) they serve. As an alumna, I can't support a school that is extorting its students.

I'm glad I don't attend this former academy anymore if this is how they are solving the student housing issue.

As a future prospective parent and previous college campus tour guide, I can't think of a worse possible deterrent for families concerned with campus safety. Clearly, the priorities of the school are to take financial advantage of these students and jeopardizing their safety in the process. Very disappointed in Cal Maritime and know that I will not be recommending it for others.

I am disappointed that this is even necessary, but not very supprised.

I was willing to make CSMA one of my yearly donations because I believe in the education of fellow seafarers but with the lack of involvement and consideration this current President and administration shows the students—- I have sent my monies elsewhere. So YES you opinion is very valid and true.

As a CSMA parent, I don’t believe an education system should force or bully young adults to do things that would hinder their maturity and growth. I do believe on campus housing may be mandatory for incoming Freshman but beyond that —�- the college should be ashamed of themselves—� Sophomore, Junior and Senior students know what’s best for them. How sad the Academy is not attempting to move forward into the future with with its policies, growth and involvement of the student body. Sorry to say, but I will for one not be recommending this College. May just as well just keep it hidden in the cove they are in. An unfortunate loss to the future seafarers of the future.

Your students also signed legal contracts stating that their off-campus approval was subject to annual renewal.

They won't force you to enroll either