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Student Guidebook

Introduction to CSU Channel Islands

Table of Contents

Message from the Vice President for Student Affairs [top]

Purpose of the Student Guidebook [top]

The vice president for Student Affairs has been delegated the responsibility of providing information to students regarding University policies, guidelines and procedures.  In order to fulfill this responsibility, the Student Guidebook has been created by staff within the Division of Student Affairs, in addition to contributions from other campus departments, to provide information regarding University rules, regulations, programs, and services. The Guidebook will also assist in defining your rights and responsibilities as a student at California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI).

Although every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information in the Student Guidebook, students and others who use it should note that laws, rules, regulations, and policies are subject to change without notice from time to time and that these changes may alter the information contained in this publication.  When information is revised, the changes will be communicated on the CSUCI website (www.csuci.edu).  All revisions will supersede previous information.

It is our goal to assist all students with interpreting this information and utilizing it as they experience various curricular and co-curricular programs at CSUCI. If the Guidebook leaves any of your questions unanswered, we hope you will contact us at the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at (805) 437-8536 for clarification.  We look forward to assisting you during your matriculation at CI.

2009/2010 Student Guidebook Production Team [top]

  • Editor and Production Director:  Amy Spandrio, Coordinator of Student Communication and Assessment, (805) 437-8937, amy.spandrio@csuci.edu
  • Assistant Editor:  Toni Rice, Special Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs
  • Cover Design and Production Assistant:  Eric Suliga, Student Communication Graphic Specialist
  • Cover Photography:  Lupita Gutierrez and Eric Suliga
  • Interior Photography:  David Ashley, Chris Alexakis, Nick Rakoczy, Eric Suliga, and the Rec Center

We hope you find this guidebook convenient and easy to use.  If you have ideas about how we could improve this guidebook, please email your suggestions to Amy Spandrio at amy.spandrio@csuci.edu.  Thank you!

University Mission [top]

Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.

CSUCI Mission-Based Learning Objectives [top]

CSUCI graduates will possess an education of sufficient breadth and depth to appreciate and interpret the natural, social and aesthetic worlds and to address the highly complex issues facing societies. Graduates will be able to:

  • Identify and describe the modern world and issues facing societies from multiple perspectives including those within and across disciplines, cultures and nations (when appropriate); and
  • Analyze issues, and develop and convey to others solutions to problems using the methodologies, tools and techniques of an academic discipline.

Characteristics of CSU Channel Islands Graduates [top]

CSUCI Graduates are:

  • Informed about past, present, and future issues affecting human society and the natural world, and the inter-relatedness of society and the natural world;
  • Empowered with the disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge necessary to evaluate problems, the ability to translate knowledge into judgment and action, and excellent communication skills for conveying their interpretations and opinions to a diverse audience;
  • Creative in developing imaginative self-expression and independent thinking, with joy and passion for learning; and
  • Dedicated to maintaining the principles of intellectual honesty, democracy, and social justice, and to participating in human society and the natural world as socially responsible individual citizens.

Accreditation Status [top]

California State University Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, #100, Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001.

SAFE On Campus [top]
SAFE On Campus logo

SAFE (Students, Administrators and Faculty for Equality) is a program sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) subcommittee of the Commission on Human Relations, Diversity and Equity.

Purpose:  SAFE On Campus provides an avenue through which all members of the campus community can actively show their support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. SAFE On Campus members identify themselves by displaying the SAFE On Campus sign at their office. Members attend an orientation session, following which they receive the SAFE On Campus logo. By displaying the logo, members signal to students and employees that they can be “out” or reveal their sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, members can serve as a valuable source to help locate resources on campus, or help report harassment or discrimination.

For additional information regarding SAFE On Campus, please contact Human Resources Programs at (805) 437-8490.

Police and Parking Services Department [top]

Location:  Placer Hall (adjacent to Lot A1)
Telephone:  (805) 437-8430 (non-emergency); (805) 437-8444 (non-emergency after normal business hours); Dial 911 for emergencies

University Police

Web:  http://www.csuci.edu/police/

The CSU Channel Islands Police Department is responsible for providing law enforcement services for the campus. Police officers are the only campus officials designated to receive crime reports. The Police Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The department encourages prompt reporting of all crimes, potential criminal actions, and other emergencies on campus, either in person or by calling 911 from any telephone.

CSU Channel Islands police officers are commissioned, sworn peace officers with full enforcement authority throughout the state. Officers are responsible for reporting and investigating crimes and traffic accidents, responding to medical emergencies, enforcing laws and local ordinances, and all other incidents requiring police assistance. Criminal cases are forwarded to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Police officers provide 24-hour patrol of the campus and surrounding neighborhood on foot, in vehicles, and on bicycles. Most police officers are also certified emergency medical technicians (EMT-1) and are the first responders to all medical emergencies.

Emergency Disaster Procedures

When an emergency is declared and evacuation ordered or when it becomes obvious that evacuation is necessary, all students should report to the appropriate evacuation sites. Staff will assist students as needed, take attendance, and keep students in their assigned areas until all persons are accounted for. Students are asked to remain at the evacuation site until otherwise instructed. Do not attempt to re-enter any building until you are advised that it is safe to do so.

Injured persons should go, or be taken to, the Student Health and Counseling Center, Police Department, or designated First Aid Station. Health services personnel and other trained personnel will be available to assist injured persons.

For more information about CSUCI’s emergency procedures, please see the  Emergency Operations Desk Reference.

Transportation and Parking Services

Web:  http://www.csuci.edu/parking/

Transportation and Parking Services Customer Service provides a variety of services to the campus community. Information about these services is available at the Police and Parking Services Customer Service office, on their Web page or via phone.

Parking permits are required for all vehicles on campus, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This includes holidays and periods when classes are not in session. Vehicles without proper permits or that are in violation of parking regulations according to the California Vehicle Code are subject to citation. Citation appeals may be filed through Police and Parking Services (PPS) Customer Service. Parking regulations are also available on the Web page.

Shuttle Bus Service

As an alternative to parking on campus, a shuttle service is offered at a reduced cost of $25 per semester for students, faculty and staff, with no cost during summer session. For your convenience, the shuttle operates from three (3) sites: 

  • Oxnard
    • Oxnard “C” Street Transfer Point:  “C” Street and Channel Islands Blvd.
    • Near Oxnard College:  Southwest corner of Bard Road and Simpson Drive
  • Camarillo
    • Camarillo Metrolink Station:  Lewis Road and Ventura Boulevard

The shuttle service is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 10:20 p.m., and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. Parking at the sites is free. To utilize this service and purchase your photo transit card, stop by PPS to complete an application and have your photo taken. Please allow 10 minutes to process your card.

Bicycles

Bicyclists must comply with all applicable California Vehicle Code regulations while riding on campus. Riding is restricted to roadways and main pedestrian pathways. Riding inside buildings, on stairs, and other facilities is strictly prohibited.

Skateboards, Scooters, and Rollerblades

For safety reasons, the use of skateboards, scooters (both motorized and non-motorized), and rollerblades is prohibited on campus.

On-Campus Safety Escort Service

Campus safety escorts for students, faculty and staff who may feel unsafe walking at night are available from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on those days when classes are in session. For more information regarding this program, or to request a safety escort, please call (805) 437-8444.

For more information about Police and Parking Services, please see the 2009-2010 University Catalog or visit their respective Web pages at the addresses given above.

Athletics [top]

Location: Bell Tower Building East, Room 1865
Web:  http://www.csuci.edu/athletics

Intercollegiate athletics at CSUCI supports the University mission by providing comprehensive co-curricular programming through competitive sports. Furthermore, athletics at CSUCI will be designed and maintained to be:

  • Educationally based
  • Ethically sound
  • Fiscally responsible
  • Gender equitable
  • Imbued with the values of sportsmanship and fair play

Recognizing that competitive sports play a valuable role in life at an educational institution, as well as in the life of the community at large, athletics at CSUCI will be designed and maintained to reflect its role as a campus and community service.  However, it should be noted that the primary focus of athletics will always be student-athlete based.

With the hiring of our first athletic director in May 2009, we have begun the discussion needed to start an athletic department for the first time here at CSUCI. It is our plan to have an announcement about our first few athletics programs sometime during the 2009-2010 academic year.  Please check the CSUCI website for updates.

Additional recreational opportunities are available through Campus Recreation.  For information, please see Campus Recreation under the Student Life section of this guidebook.

Information Technology Services [top]

IT Help Desk

Help desk staff are available to provide limited technical assistance to students. The IT Help Desk is located on the first floor of the Broome Library, Room 1340.  Hours for the IT Help Desk are (fall and spring semesters) Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday: 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Computing Lab

Instructional computing labs are housed in various locations on campus and are discipline specific. The student public access computers and printers are located in the Library. In addition, there are a limited number of laptop computers that students can check out from the Library for use on campus. All public use computers are installed with commonly used software including word processing, spreadsheet, data analysis, and Internet connectivity tools.

Passwords

When admitted to the University, a letter is generated with your individual user ID and a unique, randomly generated, password. This letter will be sent to the address on file with the University. The user ID and password are used to gain access to services such as myCSUCI. Another password will be provided in the letter that is sent to each student for Blackboard, Dolphin E-Mail, Library services and the wireless network. You will be required to change this password by logging into a campus computer with the user ID and password information sent to you. Instructions on changing your password can be found at http://www.csuci.edu/it/passwordchange/.

Blackboard

Blackboard is the official web-based course management system and is used to deliver course material electronically. Blackboard-based courses can be accessed 24/7 at http://csuci.blackboard.com (note: there is no www). To login, enter your user name and password. Your user name is based on your first and last name with 3 randomly generated numbers at the end. Example: pat.jones999.

Dolphin Email

Dolphin Email accounts are automatically given to all registered students. Dolphin Email is accessible from anywhere over the Internet. To access your email, complete the following steps:

  • Go to: http://mail.dolphin.csuci.edu.
  • Enter your user name. Your user name is based on your first and last name with 3 randomly generated numbers at the end. Example: pat.jones999.
  • Password: Enter your password.

Virus Software

Student owned laptops are expected to be protected from computer viruses. The University has a site license for Sophos. Sophos virus protection is freely available to all registered students. To access the Sophos download, do the following:

  • Go to: http://www.csuci.edu/it/software.htm.
  • Click on the link labeled “Installation” under Downloads for the appropriate version of the Sophos Program for your operating system (Windows or Mac).
  • Enter your user name. Your user name is based on your first and last name with 3 randomly generated numbers at the end. Example: pat.jones999.
  • Password: Enter your password.

Wireless Network

CSUCI offers wireless access to all students, faculty and staff. The wireless coverage extends across the campus. All laptop computers checked out from the Library are able to access the wireless network. Instructions on connecting to the wireless network can be found at http://www.csuci.edu/it/wireless.htm.

Executive Order 999

All students are expected to comply with Executive Order 999. The order can be found online at http://www.calstate.edu/EO/EO-999.html. Illegal downloading of copyrighted material is unlawful and unacceptable. Information Technology deploys technologies to ensure illegal downloads do not take place on the Channel Islands network.

For additional assistance with any of our services, please visit the HelpDesk in Room 1340 in the Broome Library, call us at (805) 437-8552, or send an e-mail to helpdesk@csuci.edu.

The Cove Bookstore [top]

Location:  Town Center (behind the Broome Library)
Telephone:  (805) 437-8833 or (805) 482-5456
Email:  bookstore@csuci.edu
Web:  http://www.csuci.bkstr.com

The Cove Bookstore takes great pride in serving customers with their textbook, trade book, and general merchandise needs either in the store or through their virtual bookstore on efollett.com. Visit the store and browse their extensive book selection, or relax and read in their comfortable reading area. For hours and additional information, please contact the bookstore or visit their Web page.

Campus Dining Services [top]

Web:  http://csucidiningservices.com

Islands Café

Presented by Sodexo, the dining area offers a variety of contemporary menu formats for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors to choose from throughout the day.  Choices available include grilled items, deli sandwiches, Mexican and Italian food, and daily specials that range from favorite comfort foods like fried chicken to vegetarian dishes.  Grab-and-go sandwiches and salads, yogurt parfaits, fat free and low sugar puddings and desserts by the slice are packaged and ready to go as well.

Campus Community Meal Plan: “Flex Plan” Dollars

Note: This optional meal plan is for use in Islands Café only and is non-refundable. It does not apply to students living on campus in student housing who participate in a mandatory meal plan program.

This meal plan allows campus community members to deposit a balance on their Dolphin (campus identification) cards. Advantages to having this meal plan include bonuses received when adding dollars to your card and tax savings. The larger the deposit applied to your Dolphin card, the greater the discount! Additional deposits can be made to your meal plan account at any time by visiting the University Cash Services office.

Please note that balances remaining on student Dolphin Dollar cards do not roll over to the next academic year and any balance remaining on the student’s meal card will be forfeited on May 31.

For more information about campus food services, meal plans, catering and weekly menus, visit http://csucidiningservices.com.

Element Coffee

Nestled in the right hand corner, just beyond the reflection pool as you approach the main entry to the John Spoor Broome Library, Element Coffee offers organic coffees and teas, blended specialty drinks, snacks, sandwiches, baked goods and salads.

The University Glen Town Center

Currently open in the Town Center are: Juice it Up, Subway, Tortillas Grill, and Sammy’s Market, with more options to come in the future.

Coming soon, the new Student Union will have more dining options to offer.