Countdown to Commencement

1963: State Sen. Robert Lagomarsino co-authors Senate Bill 288, calling for establishment of a four-year college in Ventura County.

1974: The Ventura Learning Center, which offers college courses from California State University and the University of California, opens in a Ventura office building.

1985: State Sen. Gary Hart authors legislation to seek a site to permanently house an off-campus center in Ventura County. A study says the center would likely grow into a free-standing university.

1987: Gov. George Deukmejian signs a budget that includes $7 million for a Ventura campus.

1995: J. Handel Evans is appointed planning president of CSU Channel Islands.

1996: Gubernatorial task force recommends California State University’s reuse of the Camarillo State Hospital site.

1997: Gov. Wilson signs legislation authored by State Sen. Jack O’Connell, authorizing transfer of the hospital property to California State University trustees.

January 1998: Evans and his staff of four move into the Administration Building on the site.

September 1998: State of California transfers ownership of the landmark site to the California State University system.

August 1999: First students and faculty use the campus as a satellite facility for Cal State Northridge.

September 1999: Rancher John S. Broome donates $5 million to build a campus library; ground will be broken in 2003.

March 2000: Developer Martin V. “Bud” Smith establishes a $5 million endowment for business studies.

November 2000: California Postsecondary Education Commission approves establishment of Cal State Channel Islands.

April 2002: Dr. Richard R. Rush is inaugurated as President of the University.

August 2002: California State University Channel Islands officially opens; first upper-division students enroll.

May 23, 2003: First graduates of California State University Channel Islands receive their diplomas.