CSUSM Family Webinar August 2026 - Move-in process

Main ideas & lessons conveyed (CSUSM Family Webinar: Move-in Process for Fall 2026)

1) Webinar purpose and agenda

This is the CSUSM family move-in meeting for Fall 2026. Families/students are guided through a sequence of topics:

• Welcome & introductions
• Housing logistics
• Housing policies & procedures
• Move-in procedures
• Meals & dining
• Safety & University Police Department (UPD)
• Student support and related services (e.g., Cougar Care Network)
• Parking & commuter services
• Sustainability and “empowering vs enabling”
• Family programs and communication
• Q&A at the end

2) Housing team introductions (who’s responsible)

The housing team leaders and key staff are introduced, along with the broader community-support staff structure.

3) Housing policies, responsibilities, and privacy limits

Residents must uphold:

• CSUSM housing policies
• CSUSM student code of conduct
• Local and federal laws/regulations

By signing the license agreement, residents agree to follow policies and be in good standing.

If concerns/questions arise about housing policies:

• Residents should contact their community advisor or community director.

FERPA/privacy note

• CSUSM cannot disclose conduct or certain student concern information to families without the resident’s assigned release of information.

If a family is worried about a student’s safety/well-being:

• They can contact CSUSM Police Department at 760-750-4567.

4) Health guidance: recommended immunizations (meningococcal)

Because congregate living increases risk:

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccination is highly recommended by the CDC for residents 21 and under.

Families are directed to Student Health & Counseling (QR code shown in the webinar) for recommended/required immunization information.

5) Move-in procedures (dates, timing, and general rules)

Key dates and scheduling

• All communities have assigned move-in times:
  • Thursday, Aug 27
  • Friday, Aug 28
• Students receive their assigned move-in appointment information by email.
• Families/students should arrive within their scheduled time frame.

People allowed to help unload

Each resident may bring assistance to unload and settle:

• a friend
• parent/guardian
• or sibling

Rule stated:

• Bring only one car for unloading.
• Additional vehicles will be directed to long-term parking for the day.

Where vehicles park after unloading

After unloading, vehicles may park in PS1 or PS2:

• specifically levels three or higher (per the general guidance described).

Arrival lots / GPS guidance

Best GPS addresses mentioned for key communities:

• Quad / UVA / Black Oak Hall: use Parking Lot X
• North Commons: exception—arrive directly at Parking Structure 2

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6) Community move-in logistics (step-by-step instructions)

A) North Commons move-in (address + ordered steps)

Start/Arrival: Parking Structure 2

• 234 North City Drive, San Marcos

1. Enter the vehicle into Parking Structure 2.
2. Get keys and a moving bin; place belongings into the bin.
3. Carry items into the building entrance off June Way:
   • Take items to the correct floor.
   • Use two elevators in North Commons to move items to the room.
4. Return the bin downstairs:
   • Take it outside, go past the dumpsters, and return it to the bin corral in Parking Structure 2.

Parking for parents/family during this time:

• Parents/family may park on floors three and above in Parking Structure 2.

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B) UVA move-in (route + unloading + parking flow)

Start point: Lot X (unloading start described for UVA)

Route guidance (as narrated):

• Travel up Twin Oaks Valley Road
• Right on Baram Drive
• Continue past UVA
• Right on Lamray / Lamray Road
• Right onto Campus View Drive
• Immediate right into Lot K (unloading zone)

Parking/unloading plan:

• Unload at Lot K
• After unloading:
  • Family/parents can park in Parking Structure 1 (noted as “dot number three”)
  • Items are transported/ported to the next location
• Students pick up:
  • keys and bins
  • room assignment
• After items reach the room:
  • Student returns to Parking Structure 1 to pick up their car.

Additional parking mentioned:

• Lot N (next to PS1) is also available.
• Unloaded vehicle parking allowed after unloading for 2nd through 6th floors (per spoken description).

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C) Quad move-in (complex building handling)

Start: Parking Lot X

Route guidance (as narrated):

• Up Twin Oaks Valley Road
• Right on Baram Drive
• Immediate left on Campus Way
• Right on North City Drive
• Final right onto Redell Road
• Right back into the U-shaped driveway behind the Quad

How unloading is handled:

• Students unload their car.
• USS/Student Services assists by:
  • porting items to rooms directly to reduce complexity.

After unloading:

• Students drive to Parking Structure 1
• Walk back (following signage such as pink signs) to the Quad area.

Reason given:

• The Quad is “a little bit complicated,” so staff support helps unloading and room access.

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D) Black Oak Hall move-in (new community for the year)

Start: Parking Lot X

Route guidance (as narrated):

• Up Twin Oaks Valley Road
• Right on Baram Drive
• Right on Campus Way
• Immediate left
• Pull into Parking Structure 1

Key distribution/unloading steps:

• First floor of Parking Structure 1:
  • get keys
  • get bins for unloading
• After bin pickup:
  • unload the car into bins

Parking rule while unloading:

• Students park above level two
• Items are ported down and across to the building.

Pedestrian path to the building:

• Items are carried down Campus View Drive to the corner of Campus View Drive and Campus Way.
• A directional tent/sign points to the building entry, allowing students to walk carts across into Black Oak Hall.

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7) Move-in weekend events (schedule overview)

• Thursday/Friday night: floor meetings (held the night of each assigned move-in date)
• Friday: “MIU Welcome Celebration” at 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday: Convocation at 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
  • ceremonies based on major
  • open to families
• Sunday: Sexual violence prevention program at 4:00 p.m. (stated as mandatory for first-year students)

Additional events mentioned:

• “Black Oak Hall” at 4:00 p.m. (as narrated)
• University Village Apartments and athletes at 6:00 p.m.
• “Housing extravaganza events” in communities 8:00–10:00 p.m. (Sunday)

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8) Dining & meal plans (what families/students should know)

Dining locations mentioned

• In USU: Colada Mediterranean, Panda Express, Hilltop Grill, Qudoba, Starbucks, “Crashes Market” (with sushi mentioned)
• Founders Plaza: El Capasco
  • soft opening during the webinar date
  • official opening stated as first day of school
• Near Kellogg Library: ShakeSmart (opened last spring)
• Under the Quad: 200 Eats (opening in spring)
• Next to Black Oak Hall: “QuA Dining” (opens Aug 27, first move-in date)

Dining app

Students/families can use the CSUSM dining app for:

• menu access
• updated dining hours
• app navigation (fork-and-knife icon referenced)

Meal plan basics

Meal plans run on a declining balance structure. Benefits described:

• Budget-friendly (meal plan holders pay lower rates than non-meal-plan users)
• Flexibility to choose a plan that fits eating habits
• Convenience (all-a-la-carte; option for food to-go)
• Agency (students decide how to use dining dollars)
• Sustainability via reusable to-go system

Reusable to-go system (“OZZIE / Aussie system” as narrated)

• Students bring containers back; facility cleans and returns containers for reuse.
• Cost/tokens:
  • If no meal plan: token/container cost is $5 each
  • If has meal plan: stated as two free containers

Mandatory meal plan requirement (housing dependent)

• Mandatory meal plan for residents in:
  • North Commons
  • Black Oak Hall
• Reason: no kitchens.

Plan selection:

• North Commons / Black Oak Hall: choose between A, B, or C
• Quad / UVA / commuting: meal plan is optional
• Mention of a D plan exemption:
  • If the student has CalFresh, they can fill out an online exemption form to select a different plan (D plan referenced).

Example cost breakdown (A plan example)

• Semester cost shown as $3,55? (exact amount unclear due to subtitle errors)
• Includes:
  • semester membership fee
  • dining dollars included for the semester
• Dining dollars rollover:
  • unused dining dollars roll to spring
  • ability to add dining dollars up to plan maximum noted

Dining dollars vs. Cougar Cash

• Dining dollars
  • tied to a meal plan
  • used at dining facilities (certain exceptions mentioned, but specifics unclear for some outlets)
  • cheaper rate at QuA/Quila when used properly (as described)
• Cougar Cash
  • prepaid debit account
  • not part of a meal plan
  • charged to a credit card
  • also usable at dining facilities with mentioned exceptions

Exception mentioned:

• One specific outlet where dining dollars/cougar cash may not be accepted: El Capesito.

Purchase deadlines and payment schedule

How to purchase:

• through CSUSM app (Dining → manage meal plan), or
• via the CSUSM dining website (purchase meal plan)

Key dates mentioned:

• Last day to change/cancel meal plan: Sept 27
• Meal plan begins use: Aug 27 (move-in date)
• Fall semester meal plans end: Dec 19
• After purchase:
  • may take about one business day to appear in myCSUSM

Payment schedule (due dates mentioned):

• Aug 17, Sept 17, Oct 17, Nov 17

Additional narration clarification:

• Since Oct 17 passed, it would be a “three-month plan” starting Sept 17.

If a student withdraws/changes housing:

• they must coordinate with multiple departments (tuition, housing, dining) depending on whether mandatory meal plan still applies.

Contacts:

• dining@csusm.edu
• financial account questions directed to Student Financial Services (speaker cannot access student financial accounts)

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9) Sustainability and zero-waste guidance (move-in)

• Encourage coordinating with roommates to avoid duplicate items.
• Proper waste sorting:
  • break down cardboard boxes
  • cardboard should not go into waste shoots (clogs them)
  • compost: food and paper-based products
  • recycling: clean cardboard and hard plastics
  • landfill: other landfill items
• Provide large bins for yard dumpsters.
• Free secondhand items:
  • available during move-in at UVA and the quad
  • families/students can visit booths for supplies (kitchen/dorm supplies)

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10) Student conduct support (family reminder)

Families are reminded to review:

• the student resident handbook
• standards for student conduct

Transition is described as:

• stressful and exciting
• first six weeks are critical for building connections

Families are encouraged to:

• be supportive
• be aware of early adjustment challenges

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11) Safety and University Police Department (UPD)

Officer David Lopez (UPD)

• UPD officers are sworn peace officers.
• UPD operates 24/7.
• UPD has its own 911 dispatch center for calls on/near campus.

Emergency notification system:

• Families can opt in via text: “CSUSM family” to 226787
• reminder: avoid autocorrect

Non-emergency line:

• 760-750-4567

Additional services:

• community service officers (student assistants)
• parking officers
• Safety escort program: students can call for late-night walking/driving escort to dorm
• lost and found program
• emergency phones/polls around campus
• self-defense program (about once per semester); follow an Instagram page (QR code referenced)

Dr. Rosio Terry (Crisis Response Team)

• Responds to mental health crises
• Works across campus locations, including dorms
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Contact:

• 760-750-7000
• emergency: dial 911 (routes to campus dispatch)

Examples of situations:

• danger to self
• danger to others
• confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, psychosis, delusions

Wellness checks for parents:

• if a family hasn’t heard from a student or hears concerning remarks, they can request a check.

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12) Parking & commuter services (Belinda)

Core rule: permits required (except move-in)

• Parking permit required whenever a vehicle is parked on campus.
• Exception: move-in days (permits not needed those days).

Accessing parking

Students living on campus:

• use parking account via CSUSM app or csusm.park.csusm.edu
• select daily or long-term parking options

Visitors/family:

• physical pay stations available
• also possible through CSUSM app (“AMP option” noted)

Identifying general vs. reserved parking

• Look for a QR code sign:
  • if it exists: general parking lot
  • if not: likely reserved

Overnight parking rules

Overnight parking rules stated with exceptions:

• No restricted overnight parking stated except:
  • PS2
  • lots X, Y, Z

Rules described:

• PS2
  • level 6: only place for overnight parking there
  • levels 1–5: no overnight parking; relocate before 2:00 a.m.
• PS1
  • overnight parking allowed levels 1–5 (stated as “closest parking to housing properties”)
• lots X/Y/Z
  • restricted overnight between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
  • relocation allowed if desired

Additional lots mentioned:

• Lot N and Lot K (as described in move-in/parking context)

Permit sale and amounts

• Permits went on sale Aug 17.
• General semester parking permit amounts were mentioned, but exact formatting was unclear due to subtitle distortion.

Tickets, holds, and deadlines

• Parking tickets enforce action within 21 calendar days
• Failure to respond:
  • CSU/DMV holds possible (may prevent graduation/class registration)
• DMV hold:
  • vehicle registration blocked until tickets are paid
• Students/families advised to contact the parking office to understand and avoid repeat violations.

Commuter alternatives

• No need to own/use a car on campus:
  • Youth Opportunity Pass (free transit for students 18 and younger)
  • NCTD Plus rides (ride-share style, $1.50–$3 per ride stated)
  • Youth Opportunity Pass also provides free NCTD Plus rides
• Zipcars in PS1:
  • hourly rental starting at $10.75/hour (as narrated)
  • includes gas, mileage, insurance, maintenance
• Bike resources:
  • bike lockers, racks, loaner locks, pumps/repair stations
  • free bicycle registration

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13) Family programs, communications, and support resources

• New Student Family Convocation:
  • college-specific sessions
  • Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
• Family webinars:
  • typically second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.
• Next on-campus visit window:
  • Oct 23–25 (after convocation)
• Family programs noted:
  • “MIU” Friday night (8–11 p.m. mentioned)
  • student-specific programs at the student’s front desk, then walk to events
• Cougar Care Network
  • described as holistic support when a student doesn’t know who to turn to
  • families can refer students if needed
• Social media and contact:
  • families encouraged to follow channels (Facebook noted)
  • contact housing as most relevant to move-in

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Speaker / source list (as identified in subtitles)

• Christine Boaz (Director of Housing Operations and Facilities)
• Travis Douglas (Executive Director of Housing and Residential Education)
• Alli Serrano (Director of Residential Education)
• Bala Ruiz (Assistant Director of Residential Education)
• Vanessa Dwarte (Administrative Assistant; Dining and Meal Plans)
• Marissa Costa (Zero Waste and Sustainability Specialist)
• Jay (speaker identified only by role/name fragment: Student Conduct and Development)
• David Lopez (University Police Department officer / UPD)
• Dr. Rosio Terry (Director for the Crisis Response Team)
• Belinda (Parking and [information truncated in subtitles])