University's spring semester starts

Ventura Star 1/23/07

By John Scheibe

Monday was a busy day for students at California State University's newest campus as many of them headed off to a new semester, meeting with their instructors on what will be expected of them in the months to come, and buying textbooks and other class materials.

For Ambar Rodriguez, 18, the new semester will provide her with the chance to reconnect with friends and meet new challenges.

Rodriguez expects that some of those challenges will occur in the classroom, where she will study Spanish, English and computers.

"I'm looking forward to these new classes," Rodriguez said as she stood behind the counter at the Java Hut, a campus coffee shop.

Rodriguez chose CSU Channel Islands in part because of its idyllic rural setting.

"It's a lot quieter and more relaxed than where I'm from," said Rodriguez, whose family lives in Los Angeles.

The number of courses at the Camarillo campus has increased along with enrollment since the doors opened in 2002. CSUCI had 3,123 enrolled in the fall 2006. This represents more than four times the number of students enrolled at the 670-acre campus in 2002. It's expected to have 3,409 this coming fall.

CSUCI Provost Ted Lucas said the campus is pretty much on track with enrollment.

The university is expected to have around 15,000 students when it reaches capacity between 2012 and 2015.

While most of the new courses are first offered in the fall semester, the campus does have some new ones this semester. They include chemistry and biology courses intended primarily for students preparing to become nurses.

Sophomore Amanda Estrella, 19, said she enjoys CSUCI's small campus atmosphere.

"It's an easy place to make friends," she said.

Estrella also appreciates the greater attention that students receive from their instructors at CSUCI, something she said might not happen at many of the larger campuses within the CSU system.

Debbie Valentin, 23, said she chose CSUCI mainly because of its proximity to her home in Oxnard.

"It's a lot easier of a commute for me than if I had to go elsewhere," said Valentin, who transferred to CSUCI from Ventura College this semester.

As Valentin spoke, construction on a new campus library continued. The John Spoor Broome Library is expected to open in 2008.