Fifth Year Anniversary

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CSU Channel Islands
Celebrates Five Years!

Planning for a public, four-year university began in 1965 when then Governor Pat Brown signed a bill authorizing a study for a state college for Ventura County. In 1974, Dr. Joyce Kennedy established the UC/CSU Ventura Learning Center. She went on to serve as director of the CSUN Ventura Campus for more than 15 years.

In 1996, J. Handel Evans began as Planning President charged with beginning development of a public, four-year university in the region. In September 1997, on the recommendation of the chancellor and a community task force appointed by the Governor, the CSU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept the former Camarillo State Hospital site for the purpose of transforming it into the CSU's 23rd campus. In July 1996, the CSU Board of Trustees formally adopted the name California State University Channels Islands for the new University. In September 1997, Governor Wilson signed into law S.B. 623 (O'Connell) providing for the financing and support of the transition of the site for use as a university campus. Shortly thereafter, the state legislature and the CSU Board of Trustees, provided funds to begin the conversion of the facility from a state hospital into a college campus.

The CSU Board of Trustees appointed Richard R. Rush president of California State University Channel Islands and he assumed his duties on June 18, 2001. Dr. Rush's formal inauguration was held April 19, 2002. During the course of establishing the initial structures of the University, Dr. Rush has overseen and been directly involved in the hiring of faculty and the University's senior staff. In addition, he has directed the development of the University's strategic, academic and physical master plans.

The formal opening of CSU Channel Islands was held on August 16, 2002. The public ceremony held in the South Quad of the campus included participation by then Governor Gray Davis, faculty, staff, students, representatives from CSU sister campuses, the Chancellor’s Office, and educational and community leaders from throughout the state, with over 1,000 guests attending from Ventura County and beyond. Classes began on August 24 with approximately 1,320 full-time transfer students enrolled for the first year.