CSU addition:

Cal State Monterey Bay

By Martha Guzman, Forty-Niner Online
Sept. 11, 1995

The long-awaited opening of the newest California State University campus at Monterrey Bay took place Sept. 4 with a dedication speech by President Bill Clinton.

Clinton, who included in his speech the issues of taxes, the deficit and California military base closures, addressed nearly 20,000 people that included local community leaders, CSU administrators and students and their families.

Clinton praised those involved with the quick formation of the campus on Monday. "I am proud of the contribution the national government could make," Clinton said.

As a result of funding from the federal government, the CSUMB campus was completed in 11 months.

The campus is the 21st addition to the CSU system, and is located on part of the Fort Ord military base.

"The CSUMB campus came about as a result of Fort Ord's closure and the billions of dollars the federal government gave in assets to the state of California," said Holly Smith, CSUMD's news and public information officer.

Smith said the university received 3,200 applications for admission, but because of present campus limitations, only 640 students were accepted.

Seventy percent of the applications were received from throughout the state, while only 30 percent of the applicants were from the Benito and neighboring counties of the campus.

"We were really surprised because we expected most applicants to be from nearby regions rather from the entire state," Smith said. "We're all really excited about this."