long BEach currEnt
1250 Bellflower Blvd., LA4-203 Long Beach, CA, 90804
Phone (562) 985-8000
El Nicklin
Sam Farfán
Photo credit: SAMUEL CHACKO/Long Beach Current
Acsah Lemma
Linsey Towles
Managing Editor Editor-in-Chief Community Engagement Editor
Editorial Office Director of Business Operations
Kristina Agresta
Multimedia Managing Editor business@gobeach.media managing@lbcurrent.com eic@lbcurrent.com community@lbcurrent.com multimedia@lbcurrent.com
Editors
Juan Calvillo News Editor news@lbcurrent.com
Julia Goldman Arts & Life Editor arts@lbcurrent.com
Joannah Clemente Opinions Editor opinions@lbcurrent.com
Davis Ramage Sports Editor sports@lbcurrent.com
Jaylyn Preslicka Solutions Editor solutions@lbcurrent.com
Luis Castilla Design Editor design@lbcurrent.com
Khoury Williams Copy Editor
Samuel Chacko Photo Editor
Jazmyn De Jesus Social Media Editor
Dante Estrada Video Editor
Aidan Swanepoel Podcast Editor
During Student Orientation, Advising and Registration, students learn about Long Beach State and the resources available on campus. The GO BEACH sign is a landmark that students often pass on their commute from lower to upper campus and a popular spot for photos.
SOAR
Fourth year journalism student Khoury Williams is starting his first year as the Editor-in-Chief for Long Beach State’s student-run newspaper, the Long Beach Current.
Letter from the editor
BY KHOURY WILLIAMS Incoming Editor-in-Chief
could have made my first semester even better:
News Assistants Ethan Cohen
Annette Quijada
Christopher Canche Chan
Mayra Salazar
Nasai Rivas
Arts & Life Assistants Delfino Camacho
Grace Lawson Diego Renteria
Opinions Assistants Lizbeth Cortes-Gutierrez
Romi Mathews
Christine Nader
Sports Assistants Matthew Coleman
Alyssa De La Cruz
Matthew Gomez
Jack Haslett
Soleil Cardenas Design Assistants
Angela Osorio
Timothy Hessen Copy Assistants
Photo Assistants
Bella Garcia
Lauren Benson
Justin Enriquez
Devin Malast
Mark Siquig
Social Media Assistants Igor Colonno Selestino
Andrew Miller
Video Assistants Eduardo Contreras Jr.
Skylar Stock
Gianna Echeverria Podcast Assistants
copy@lbcurrent.com photo@lbcurrent.com socials@lbcurrent.com video@lbcurrent.com podcast@lbcurrent.com BusinEss
Alexandra Gryciuk
Welcome to Long Beach State! Congratulations on getting into one of Southern California’s most competitive universities— less than half of applicants are accepted, and you made it.
My name is Khoury Williams, and I am the incoming Editor-in-Chief of the Long Beach Current, our student-run newspaper and website that’s been serving the campus for 75 years.
As a journalism major, I joined the Current, then called the Daily Forty-Niner, in my first semester. For my first assignment, I covered the California Faculty Association’s Strike, during which classes were canceled for a day as faculty demanded better wages and working conditions.
Cultural clubs and organizations: CSULB has dozens of different cultural clubs, organizations and events representing every culture and ethnicity. Finding a club that represents one’s cultural identity is one of many ways to deepen one’s connection to the campus community and instill a sense of belonging.
Utilize resources early: Throughout high school and community college, I often turned to campus resources only as a last resort—a habit that persisted until last spring. I highly recommend utilizing student resources early to maximize their benefits as soon as possible because it will only make you a better, more equipped student.
Andrea Contreras Advertising Manager advertising@gobeach.media
Jennix Bien Creative Director
Web & Technology Director
Leila Nuñez
Nicollette Combre PR & Marketing Manager
Joseph Vargas Distribution Manager
assistants advisErs
Madison Yang distribution@gobeach.media beach.pr@gobeach.media web@gobeach.media creative@gobeach.media
Gary Metzker Design Adviser
Barbara Kingsley-Wilson Content Adviser
Jennifer Newton Advertising & Business Adviser
Reporting helped me to connect with the greater CSULB community, but I often forgot to enjoy campus life as a student. With just a year left, I am finally learning to properly balance my work and student life.
Here are three things I wish I knew sooner that
land acknowlEdgmEnt
Budgeting: It is easy for students to want to spend their newly earned financial rewards, paychecks or scholarships early on in the semester, rather than planning to make it last. That was a prime example of the student I was during my first semester. By the end, I struggled to pay for food as I got near my first round of finals. Now I plan accordingly and only make sure to purchase essentials, and budget carefully to ensure funds last when I need them most.
Here at the Long Beach Current we acknowledge that the school we report on is located on the sacred site of Puvungna, “the gathering place”. We are on the land of the Tongva/Gabrieleño and the Acjachemen/Juaneño Nations who have lived and continue to live here.
We also acknowledge the Gabrieleño/Tongva (pronounced: GABRIEL-EN-YO/TONG –VAH) and Acjachamen/Juaneño (pronounced: AH-HACH-AH-MEN/JUAN-EN-YO) as the traditional custodians of the Los Angeles region along with the Chumash (pronounced: CHOOMOSH) to the north and west, and the Tataviam (pronounced: TAH-TAH-VEE-YUM) and Cahuilla (pronounced: KAH-WEE-YAH) Nations to the east.
We respect and value the many ways the Tongva/Acjachemen cultural heritage and beliefs continue to have significance to the living people and remind us about the sacred and spiritual relationship that has always existed here at what we now call California State University Long Beach.
Editorials: All opinions expressed in the columns, letters and cartoons in the issue are those of the writers or artists. The opinons of the Long Beach Current are expressed only in unsigned editorials and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the journalism department or the views of all staff members. All such editorials are written by the editorial board of the Long Beach Current.
Monday, May 19 , 2025
lEttEr Policy: All letters and emails must bear the phone number of the writer and must be no more than 300 words. The Long Beach Current reserves the right to edit letters for publication in regard to space.
Photo credit: SAMUEL CHACKO/Long Beach Current
Comic credit: JULIA GOLDMAN, Graphic credit: EL NICKLIN/Long Beach Current
Photo courtesy of Associated Students Inc. Communications
This mockup of the new University Student Union, viewed from the east side at the Friendship Walk Stairs, represents a conceptual design that has not yet been finalized and is subject to change. The Future U project is expected to be completed in fall 2028.
What students can expect during USU’s Future U renovations
BY KHOURY WILLIAMS
Incoming Editor-in-Chief
Campus life is set to shift at the start of the fall semester, as Long Beach State’s central hub, the University Student Union, begins a three-year construction project.
Dubbed the Future U project by Associated Students Inc. and CSULB officials, the renovation is meant to elevate student life on campus by ensuring that the USU is a more up-to-date space that mirrors “the needs of our growing campus community,” according to the Future U website.
The project is expected to be completed by the fall 2028 semester.
As part of the Future U project’s current timeline, numerous programs, services and departments are in the process of relocating to new locations across the
campus.
Meanwhile, the USU and its food vendors will remain operational until Aug. 15.
Here is the list of services being relocated to the following buildings:
• Basic Needs, Beach Pride Events, ASI Communications, Puvungna Resource Center, student government, Subway and more will relocate to Peterson Hall 1.
• ASI administration will move to Faculty Offices 5.
• Associated Students Business Office and Associated Students Human Resources will relocate to the University Bookstore.
• The Nugget and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will relocate to Health and Human Services 1.
• The Esports Lounge will move to the University Library.
• Meetings and conferences will be relocated to The Pointe Conference Center/Anna W. Ngai
Alumni Center.
• Beach Pantry will be relocated to Student Health Services.
• Carl’s Jr will be relocated to Fine Arts 1.
More detailed information about the relocation of campus services can be found on the resource relocation section of the Future U website.
In addition to the relocated services, several new and returning food vendors will be located throughout campus in the form of kitchen trailers, market food stalls, vending machines and food trucks.
New potential vendors include Everytable, Cassidy’s Corner, Higher Taste Plant-Based, The Halal Shack and the Habit Burger & Grill.
The Fooda pop-up, initially situated beside the Beach Shops Bookstore, is expanding to two additional locations on campus: Faculty Offices 2 and Liberal Arts 1.
The new restaurant expansions aim to enhance dining accessibility options
during the USU’s renovation period. Currently, students pay $220 per semester to support USU services; however, this price will increase to a total of $504 per semester, according to the Future U website.
ASI Vice President of Finance Andre Achacon sees the price increase as an essential step toward building a better campus environment for the future.
“[The renovation] is a super critical necessity that we need to invest in today. I wish that we could push off the collection of fees, but ultimately, if we push it off … rather than investing dollars into the actual building, we would be wasting those dollars in interest,” Achacon said. “The new University Student Union is gonna bring so many benefits to students for dozens of years.”
Additional reporting for this article was provided by Annette Quijada.
Moving plans, no scams: How to secure your off-campus housing
BY JULIA GOLDMAN Arts & Life Editor
Settling into a new home and selling yourself as the “best candidate” to rent your ideal apartment can be tough.
The worst part? Sifting through thousands of listings to find that best fit, with many that are illegitimate.
Spare the headache and come equipped to the housing market with a guide to safely secure off-campus housing, away from the scams.
What are the best places to look?
Though Facebook may not be as popular as other social media platforms for college students, it is a common tool that is used to secure housing globally.
The CSULB Roommate Finder group, with nearly 20k members on Facebook, is a private collective where current, future and graduated students communicate to find housing.
Often, users will post themselves alongside their budgets, ideal accommodations and personality traits to find their best roommate matches. Additionally, property owners post their own available listings throughout the group, for other users to engage with.
Applying to the group is simple, and the page is moderated in an attempt to limit spam and scams. However, it is important to note that this doesn’t mean that they don’t exist - and all listings should be examined for legitimacy.
Facebook Marketplace is also a common forum used by landlords, rental companies and residents seeking another tenant, with filters for price and location available.
For other sources with open room accommodations, students can use SpareRoom. Individual rental companies within Long Beach, as well, host their own domains with available listings.
Though housing listings and sites are a dime a dozen, it’s important to acknowledge that all of these platforms are susceptible to falsity.
How do you identify a scam?
When looking for housing, traits of
Facebook Marketplace is an easy-to-use resource for finding local housing. You will need
in order to use this website.
skepticism and online stalking are your friends.
Verify the seller. Cross-reference their name with location, and seek identifying details that point towards this person being “real.”
For example, if using Facebook, look into how many friends the person has, and if those friends seem to be centered in a generally localized region.
Reverse image search the photos included in the listing - if they appear in a separate domain under a different company and price, the listing is fake. No identifiable result is a good one - but this does not guarantee full legitimacy.
If an address is provided, look it up on sites like Zillow and Redfin. These domains can contain public records of the home’s purchase history, and what rent
is suggested at - another affirmation to “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.”
If the seller seems to pass these introductory filters, continue forward with communication and trust your gut. Extreme typos, urgent pressure, requests for personal information without a secure application portal and refusal to meet are additional signs of a scam.
General rules to live by
Never put down any money or sign a lease without touring the property first, and know that a trusted landlord should never require this from you prior to meeting.
Application fees, however, are an industry standard when renting with an established rental property. Ensure the digital process is secured
through a designated credit/background check online portal and keep in mind that no application should ever cost more than $62.01, as regulated by the state of California.
If they are outright asking for more than that, it is likely a scam.
If unable to tour a property beforehand, acknowledge your rights as a tenant and engage in video calls, cross reference who you speak to and combine tips from this guide together to protect yourself.
Remember that while the process can be stressful and exhausting, it is far from impossible. It’s worth it to be picky in the process, to cultivate a space that will foster your new college chapter.
Photo credit: EL NICKLIN/Long Beach Current
a Facebook account
Look no further for your favorite study spot
BY GRACE LAWSON Arts & Life Assistant
There is little to nothing as personal to a student as their favorite study spot.
While some maintain secrecy around their own individual spot, new students can find their own true study sanctuary with knowledge of the general campus.
The University Library
Easily accessible with five floors, the University Library offers chances to for students to study in silence, to mingle in bigger groups or enjoy a moment of solace in-between classes.
Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, the space offers readily-available campus resources like printing and an
BY GRACE LAWSON Arts & Life Assistant
With five floors, a coffee shop, podcast studios and a number of programs, the University Library is an oasis on the Long Beach campus for any student.
From the outside, the ivy covered building can be openly inviting to students. However, with different resources and social norms housed on each floor, the library can be daunting to anyone upon their first few visits.
Learning the library, however, can quickly become second nature.
Lower Level
The lower level hosts a group study area and the Gerald M. Kline Innovation Space, where students can access 3D printers, podcast studios and other tech equipment for a free or heavily discounted cost.
The Basic Needs Program is also located on the lower level, across from the George Deukmejian University Archives and Storage.
Floor 1
The lobby of the library beckons students with the Caffeine Lab.
Newly remodeled, the coffee stop offers an array boba drinks, baked goods
in-house snack and coffee shop through the Caffeine Lab.
The Horn Center
If you find yourself spending most of your time on lower campus, the hike to the library may seem daunting.
Instead, don’t count out the Horn Center.
Connected to the Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, the Horn Center houses a wide general seating area where students, friends and classmates meet to study and mingle.
Additionally, right outside the center are smaller tables and benches that provide the opportunity to work in the fresh air.
Liberal Arts Courtyards
For those who yearn to take advantage of the Southern California climate, the rows of Liberal Arts Buildings on
Photo credit: SAMUEL CHACKO/Long Beach Current
The Liberal Arts 3 courtyard is one of many study locations students can use at Long Beach State.
upper campus host courtyard spaces, where benches and tables are spread out for student use.
The library guide to end all worry
and snack food items for the ever-focused student looking for a break.
The first floor also offers a computer lab for students, the Spidell Technology Center and the Research and Information Desk.
Floor 2
Hosting book stacks A-GV, the second floor of the library includes materials like graphic novels, federal documents and the mystery collection.
For those who desire fresh air when they study, this area provides a balance of grass space to lounge, tables to use and benches to sit, shaded by small trees.
Aside from books, the floor also houses family friendly group study areas in designated kid-friendly spots like the Children’s Collection.
Floor 3
Home to the University Archives and Special Collections, the third floor uniquely houses rare books, manuscripts and records of The Beach’s history. Additionally, this is where book stacks H - PQ are located, with many representing books on law, education and art.
Floor 4
The fourth floor stands alone as the designated quiet study floor.
While it may be common on the other floors to find study sessions among friends being held, the fourth floor is for quiet work only. The space also hosts book stacks PR-Z and the Student Excellence Acceptance room, often used by librarians to host instructional meetings.
Floor 5
Known for its open floor plan, the fifth floor differs drastically from the last - perfect for group study dates and mingling with other library goers.
Seating spans through the entirety of the fifth floor, offering mediascapes and group study carrels.
This floor is also home to the technology help desk as well as the University Honors and Interfaith Center.
Photo credit: EL NICKLIN/Long Beach Current The University Library, located on upper campus, houses a variety of services for students.
SOAR
BY DIEGO RENTERIA Arts & Life Assistant
Prepare for an unfortunate reality that comes with college life at The Beach - a routine struggle to find parking and commuting ease amid the mad dash to get to classes.
Despite housing a total of 14,052 parking stalls across more than 25 parking lots and three parking structures, the search for a spot at CSULB can sometimes feel like playing a Disneyland-sized game of musical chairs when accounting for a campus size of more than 41,000 students.
Fret not - follow along for a guide to make the commute to class a breeze or the hunt for that perfect parking spot a lot easier.
Plan ahead
Before even arriving to campus, prepare to face the hassle of traffic amid the commute.
With deliberate planning, this obstacle can be mostly averted - account time for travel, for traffic, for walking across campus and any potential surprises.
Freeways
Many students at CSULB take one of the three major arterial freeways neighboring the campus: the 405, 22 or 605 Freeways.
However, like all highways and roads in Los Angeles County, these freeways suffer from “rush hour” traffic. This “rush hour” period is twice a day, around the times of 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thus, it would be beneficial to plan school commutes around these times.
Bus routes
Fortunately for students who live locally to CSULB, there are multiple bus routes that have at least one stop at the school.
Long Beach Transit has multiple stops along the main road through CSULB. They also have multiple buses running at the same time to help quell the demand from students.
LBT also offers specials for semester-long or 30-day bus passes, specifically for CSULB students.
However, for students who are commuting from other parts of LA or Orange County; the Metro and Orange County Transport Authority both have a stop in front of CSULB.
Both transit authorities also offer discounted bus passes for college students.
The battle to find a parking spot
Now for the meat and potatoes of this guide, finding a parking spot at CSULB.
For students, there are a total of 12 general parking lots and three parking structures that allow parking with the use of a semester or a one-day permit.
There are multiple pay stations around these parking areas, where semester passes are valid and one-day permits can be purchased.
Parking lots
When it comes to the general parking lots across campus, it is essential to be early.
General lots G1, G3, G4, G13 and G14 tend to fill up the fastest in the morning, due to their proximity to buildings and areas like the Student Recreation and Wellness Center and upper campus.
The best time to get parking in these areas are early in the morning before 8 a.m.
However, for the rest of the parking lots, it is very likely to find parking throughout the day.
Parking structures
The parking structures at CSULB offer a substantial amount of parking for students.
The first two are the Palo Verde North and South parking structures, located near the Student Recreation & Wellness Center. These two areas fill up fast in the morning, but parking can be found throughout the day.
Meanwhile, the Pyramid Parking structure, tends to offer consistent available parking due to it being the farthest from upper campus.
However, do not let its “slight emptiness” fool you; on most school days around 3 p.m., there is traffic to get out of the parking structure that can add an extra 20-30 minutes to the commute back home.
BeachGO Mobile App
The BeachGO Mobile App is a commute planning app that seeks to assist students in their plan to commute to campus, find carpool partners and even track their carbon footprint of the commute.
Usage of the app can also allow students to earn rewards and enter raffles.
Donations for Citations
If you ever find yourself in the unfortunate predicament of getting a parking citation at CSULB; Parking Services and ASI Beach Pantry have a solution.
Through the “Donations for Citations” program, students can donate an assortment of food and health items to the ASI Beach Pantry, in return for a reduction in citation fee.
At an average of $60 for most infractions, the once-a-semester reduction amounts to a $20 charge.
The Long Beach State to parking,
From top of far right: The first few floors of the Pyramid Parking structure fill up during busy times of the school day, but students can usually expect to find spots on the upper levels. When parking near the College of Business, students should account for a 10-to -5-minute walk if they are heading to a class on upper campus. After 5:30 p.m., those who pay for student parking are allowed to park in employee lots, which includes lots that are close to the Psychology and Liberal Arts buildings.
Photos by EL NICKLIN
Long Beach Current
State students’ guide commuting
App-solutely essential phone apps if you’re new at The Beach
Certain apps, such as Canvas and Outlook, are a necessity for students because professors use them to disseminate information.
BY DELFINO CAMACHO Arts & Life Assistant
Apps make life easier. In 2024, Statista reported that the Google Play Store had 2.3 million distinct apps available. In 2025, the Business of Apps reported 2.5 million apps in the Apple store. Follow this guide to get the dish on what to download.
Essential apps to download before class
1. CSULB mobile app
The main hub for official school business – gives access to student resources, and campus events. It has fun features like Beach Bites, which offers free food.
2. Canvas
Canvas is the Learning Management System used at The Beach. Most, if not all, school related work is done on Canvas. The app allows you to keep track of classwork and gives access to messages from professors and classmates, so make sure to turn notifications on.
3. Microsoft Outlook
Top 10 Instagram accounts to follow at The Beach
BY DELFINO CAMACHO Arts & Life Assistant
1. Cal State Long Beach @csulongbeach
If you follow any official university account, make it this one. Fast and reliable source of general campus information including important updates.
2. Associated Students Inc. @csulbasi
ASI is the elected and official study body voice on campus.
3. Campus sports @lbsu
Whether you’re a true blue sports fanatic or if you just want final scores to keep up with game convos on the quad, follow this account to get up-to-date news on all things athletics here at The Beach.
4. CSULB SRWC GO
Access to all things related to the Student Recreation & Wellness Center, including easy entry to the gym and facilities. The app also includes access to programs and classes available in the SRWC.
5. Passio GO!
A transit tracking and feedback app that gives access to campus/local shuttle times.
6. Ride LBT
City-wide public transit tracking app. Also offers contactless payment options.
Lock in with these studying apps
7. Discord
A favorite, more “relaxed” form of communication for university students, shared by university students. Good for note sharing and asking questions amongst fellow classmates.
Most communications with the university, professors and other related coursework are transmitted through the The Beach’s email operating system, Microsoft Outlook. Another must to turn notifications on.
The platform also houses a number of student-run clubs, from the CSULB Esports Associa-
tion to The Beach’s AI Club.
8. Genius Scan
Helpful tool app that scans notes or any paper documents into PDFs.
Save some money with these discount apps.
9. Student Beans
Access to student discounts for thousands of brands like Amazon and H&M.
10. Student Universe
Offers student flight discounts.
Get your munch on with these food apps
12. Grubhub
Access to order ahead online at campus food locations that don’t have their own app. Good for locations like: The Nugget, Outpost and Caffeine Lab.
13. Too Good to Go
Students can purchase significantly discounted “surprise bags” of surplus foods from Long Beach restaurants and cafes. Great for budgeting students who still want to try local cuisine.
4. Follow Student Health Services @csulbshs
Student Health Services acts as the available on-campus health center and guiding voice for student prosperity while you’re at The Beach. Follow for important updates, valuable information, information on in-person events and access to virtual health events.
5. Student media @lbcurrent, @enye_lb, @22westlb, @beachtvnews
At Long Beach State there’s always something going on. As such, our campus is rich in student-run news and media.
Follow the various Instas to keep up with the campus’s historic newspaper of record, enterprising magazines and our very own award winning newscast.
6. University Honors Program @csulb_honors
Are you a serious scholar? Follow the CSULB Honors Program for valuable information regarding both well known and much slept-on academic resources, as well as motivating posts.
7. Supplemental Instruction Program @csulb_si
The Supplemental Instruction Program provides regularly scheduled peer-led study sessions for historically difficult classes throughout the semester. Follow for important updates and fun posts.
8. Specific departments @csulbcob, @csulbjpr, @csulbkin, @csulbposc
While not every single major offered at CSULB has an official Instagram account, many do.
9. Campus confessions @csulbconfession
Along with the cycle of students, every few years a student-run account grabs the attention of the student body. For the past semesters, CSULB Confessions has served as a humorous public square where students give praises, air grievances and everything in between. Follow for thought-provoking student submissions and good laughs.
10. Parking @csulb_parking
Perhaps not the most exciting follow, but a very valuable source of information. Worth it for last minute updates.
Photo credit: EL NICKLIN/Long Beach Current
Through the ASI website, students can get a discount at the Aquarium of the Pacific on family and dual memberships, as well as one-day admission. With a regular price of $44.95, ASI offers a discounted $37.00 rate for one adult ticket.
For free, or best offer: Long Beach State student edition
With a regular adult ticket price of $76, students can use a discount code from the ASI website to purchase tickets to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for just $53.
BY DELFINO CAMACHO Arts & Life Assistant
Everything is expensive.
When accounting for rising class prices, what is a free-wheeling college student supposed to do for some rest & relaxation?
The Current’s got you covered.
Follow along for a short list of the best free and discounted items and services available to CSULB students - both on and off campus.
Free
1. FREE FOOD - The Laurén Chalmers ‘83 Beach Pantry provides free groceries, including fresh produce, to any enrolled Long Beach State students; no questions asked and no appointment necessary.
The pantry allows three visits per week, with individuals allowed to take five items per visit. They are open Monday - Saturday during regular semesters, with daily hours listed on their website.
In accordance with the Future University Student Union construction project beginning in August 2025, the pantry will be relocated to Student Health Services.
2. FREE SPORTS - As stated in the CSULB website, students can attend campus games for free, even obtaining up to three more tickets for friends and family for $5.
3. FREE FITNESS - The Student Recreation & Wellness Center is an on-campus gym and so much more including rock climbing walls, pools and various athletics courts.
The best part? It’s free for all currently enrolled students.
Visit the location for more information on how to enroll.
Discounts
5. DISCOUNTED SPORTS - ASI offers seasonal professional sports tickets discounts including but not limited to discounted Angels, LA Galaxy and LA Sevens (rugby) tickets.
Check the ASI Information & Ticket Center for more information.
6. DISCOUNTED THEME PARKS - The ASI Information & Ticket Center also offers student discounts to participating parks like Universal Studios and the San Diego Wild Animal Safari.
7. DISCOUNTED MOVIES - Students have access to a variety of discounted movie theater experiences.
Depending on particular states, students can access discounted AMC, Regal and Harkins tickets.
8. DISCOUNTED/FREE AMAZON PRIME - Amazon offers university students a six-month free trial on prime services with free two-day shipping for some products.
9. DISCOUNTED AQUARIUM - The Aquarium of the Pacific is a Long Beach staple. Student can check with ASI for discounts.
Photos by: EL NICKLIN/Long Beach Current
SOAR
Keeping up with physical, mental wellness
BY ACSAH LEMMA & LINSEY TOWLES Editor-in-Chief & Managing Editor
Being a student is already a heavy workload; now imagine balancing that with a job, family life and trying to better your mental and physical health. It’s not an easy task, but thankfully, Long Beach State has many free resources available to all students.
Here are some ways to use all the amenities that are paid for through your tuition.
The Student Recreation and Wellness Center
CSULB’s premier 126,500-square-foot, two-story recreation facility houses multiple programs, all free for students.
According to the SRWC’s website, “the facility contains a three-court gym, a multi-activity court gym, indoor jogging track, 20,000 square feet of weight and cardio equipment, racquetball courts, activity rooms for group exercise, a custom-made rock climbing wall, a wellness center, swimming pool and spa…”
Near the basketball open courts and below the indoor jogging track, is the Rec Center’s 25-foot-high rock climbing wall. Climbing the rock wall is free to all members and all equipment needed such as climbing shoes, chalk bags, belay devices, climbing harnesses and lead ropes are all included.
For $20 a semester, you can also join one of the many intramural leagues the SWRC offers, such as flag football, co-ed volleyball, basketball, soccer and more.
If you are more aquatic-oriented, the Rec Center “features an outdoor swimming pool with designated lap swimming lanes, as well as a recreational swimming area and 24 person spa,” according to the website.
Throughout the week, there are also free instructional classes sprinkled on the Rec Center’s calendar that might interest incoming students. Flow yoga, open bag training, spin, restorative yoga and fitness are just a few on the roster.
With an average open time of 6 a.m. and closing time of 11 p.m. (Monday - Thursday), there are many opportunities to fit physical wellness in your schedule.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Located in Brotman Hall 226, CSULB’s mental health services, known as CAPS, is where students can access services to help them through times of challenge.
CAPS is host to a staff of counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists who are available to meet with students throughout the year. Some of these services include individual counseling, group counseling, case management, workshops and crisis intervention.
Information on these services is made available on the CAPS website, where students can choose a service
that feels right for them.
One-on-one counseling appointments can be made with CAPS for a reduced rate and drop-in opportunities are made available weekly for students to participate in group counseling.
Crisis services are for students experiencing an immediate mental health crisis including “thoughts of harming self or others, experiencing a traumatic event, a significant loss, odd or intrusive thoughts or other situations or feelings interfering with routine daily functioning.”
CAPS Counselors are available for crisis intervention during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m to 5 p.m) via the main CAPS telephone at 562-985-4001, or in person.
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
Feeling stressed and need a place to decompress?
The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, located near Puvungna and the Parkside dorms is a great location on campus to breathe and participate in the many events hosted there.
Reservations are required to visit the garden and students can feed the koi fish, stroll along the winding scenery, view the Tea House and reflect in the Zen Garden, all for free.
The garden consistently hosts zen yoga throughout the year, as well as zen garden workshops and sound bathing where students can connect their minds and body to the peaceful surroundings.
Students can also support the garden and adopt a koi fish, receiving quarterly updates on the pond.
wellness as a student
from left: A view of the basketball courts, suspended running track as well as some exercise equipment as seen from the second floor of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is free to visit for students and non-students. Make a reservation through the CSULB website. A student uses an inclined treadmill located on the second floor of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
Long Beach Current
Clockwise
Photos by DELFINO CAMACHO & EL NICKLIN
Your guide to sports at The Beach
Photo credit: DEVIN MALAST/Long Beach Current No. 6 Long Beach State women’s water polo fell to No. 3 University of Hawai’i in the Big West Conference championship on April 27. Then-freshman defender Zelma Koka racked up 16 goals, seven assists and six steals over the regular season.
BY DAVIS RAMAGE & TIMOTHY HESSEN Sports Editor & Copy Assistant
Long Beach State offers 19 Division I sports, including eight men’s sports and 11 women’s sports. To access your free student ticket, look up “LBSU student tickets,” and you will be directed to a portal to reserve your ticket.
Notable LBSU athletics accomplishments
Men’s Volleyball:
• Nine NCAA Player of the Year Awards, including freshman setter Moni Nikolov in 2025
• Four NCAA National Championships (1991, 2018, 2019,2025)
• Appeared in 10 NCAA Championship matches
• Six Big West regular-season titles since the conference’s inauguration in 2018 (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
• Held at the Walter Pyramid
Dirtbags:
• 57 former Dirtbags have played in the MLB as of 4/8/25
• Three College World Series appearances
• Held at Blair Field (off campus, about a five-minute drive)
Women’s volleyball:
• Two NCAA Championships (1998, 2005)
• Perfect 36-0 season in 1998
• Held at the Walter Pyramid
Track & field:
• Coached by LaTanya Sheffield, USA women’s track & field head coach at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Seven NCAA Tournament appearances (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018)
• Jack Rose Track
Women’s golf:
• 2024 Big West Champions
• Five NCAA team post-season appearances, including 2024
Notable 2024 seasons
Women’s water polo (17-11):
No. 6 Women’s water polo at The Beach stayed in the top ten of the NCAA’s top 25 rankings through the entire season for the first time in program history.
In a stacked Big West conference with seven ranked teams, LBSU managed a 6-1 conference record. Its only loss came to the eventual conference champion, No. 3 University of Hawai’i.
The Beach met the Rainbow Wahine again in the championship final, but finished as the conference’s runner-up for the second consecutive year after an 8-6 defeat.
LBSU’s offensive attack was spearheaded by its duo of attackers, senior Martina Cardona and junior Elisa Portillo, who finished the season fourth and fifth in the Big West with 70 and 67 goals, respectively.
Following her junior season, Portillo finds herself fifth in LBSU history with 177 goals and the chance to rise to first before her time with The Beach is up.
Women’s beach volleyball (27-11):
Led by the record-shattering topflight junior duo of Taylor Hagenah and Malia Gementera, No. 6 women’s beach volleyball won its second conference title in the last three years this season.
Hagenah/Gementera, who entered the 2025 campaign with the most pair wins in LBSU history, reached their 94th individual win in the Big West Tournament this season and now share the top spot in individual wins in program history.
Against No. 6 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the championship final, LBSU needed just one of either Hagenah/Gementera or the pair of freshman Demi Wagdy/senior Megan Widener to win their third sets to clinch the championship.
Club sports
Even if you have no experience in a sport, LBSU offers more than 40 club sports for students to take part in, including:
• Ice hockey
• Baseball
• Rugby
• Ski/snowboarding
• Ultimate frisbee
• Martial arts
Enrollment information can be found on the LBSU club sports website.
Photo credit: MARK SIQUIG/Long Beach Current Long Beach State freshman setter Moni Nikolov sets up senior middle blocker DiAeris McRaven for a kill versus UC Irvine at the Walter Pyramid. The Beach swept UCLA to win the NCAA Tournament in May.
