California State University, Channel Islands' response to a Grand Jury report criticizing fire safety will be respectful, appreciative and to the point: The campus president, attorney and a governing board said the jury has no authority over the state-run school.

Monday, the school Site Authority, a governing body managing university property and development of campus facilities, discussed its response to a five-page Ventura County Grand Jury report. The report concludes the school does not meet industry standards for emergency fire and medical response.

Although the report states the university must react to its findings, the Site Authority voted to send a letter saying the jury has no control over the campus.

"Because it is a local entity, a county grand jury does not have the authority to investigate state entities," reads a July 1 memorandum from counsel Karen Carr.

The Grand Jury said the school's lack of on-site fire service and five-mile distance to a Ventura County Fire Department station leave people and buildings at risk.

University officials dispute many of the report's findings. Monday, several Site Authority members said they felt the Grand Jury used inaccurate information in compiling its report.

However, more than one member raised concerns about the time it takes fire engines to reach the remote campus south of Camarillo.

The Grand Jury report states crews from the closest fire station need at least 10 minutes to reach campus.

However, university President Richard Rush said his staff mapped several ways the school can be accessed in under eight minutes.

He also said widening projects on Lewis Road and other thoroughfares will in time reduce the distance 20 percent, shrinking the time to five minutes.

"We have no interest in being in contention with the fire district," Rush said. "We would welcome the fire district and provide a site for them here."

Whether the cost of fire protection will come from the university's wallet or the county's remains unresolved.

University and Site Authority members said they will continue working with the Fire Department to bring service to campus. One idea raised Monday was offering the Fire Department space in a campus building.

County Fire Chief Bob Roper did not attend the meeting, but said later that option would be expensive if the school did not pitch in money for equipment and staff.

Although the school disputes many of the Grand Jury findings, Kathy Long, the Site Authority chairwoman and member of the county Board of Supervisors, said it opened the school's eyes to fire safety concerns.

"I intend to pursue what our long-term options are going to be," she said. "I feel the university's on top of this now."