IRA Block Funding supports designated campus programs that provide ongoing, instructionally related activities aligned with the University’s academic mission. These programs receive annual allocations of IRA funds to sustain core instructional programming that serves students across disciplines and academic years. Block-funded programs support high-impact learning experiences such as tutoring, research, performances, and academic skill development that enrich the student learning experience.
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The Learning Resource Center (LRC) at CSU Channel Islands is dedicated to supporting student success through tutoring, academic skills development, and peer coaching. With individual and group sessions available, the LRC helps students enhance their understanding of course content, build effective study habits, and feel more connected to their academic community.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Academic Support: Offers tutoring and skill development in a wide range of subjects.
- Hybrid Modality: Provides flexible support options, with services available both in person and online.
- Enhanced Student Success: Students who visit the LRC demonstrate higher pass rates and lower DFW (drop, fail, withdrawal) rates compared to their peers who do not use the LRC.
- Embedded Peer Educator Model: Uses peer educators within courses to provide students with accessible, on-demand academic assistance.
- Improved Exam Preparation and Understanding: Students report that LRC support helps them understand course content better and prepares them more effectively for exams.
The LRC’s mission is to meet students where they are, providing crucial resources to help them succeed academically and develop lifelong learning skills.
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The Santa Rosa Island Research Station (SRIRS) at CSU Channel Islands provides an unparalleled opportunity for hands-on research and immersive learning on Santa Rosa Island, part of the Channel Islands National Park. This unique program connects students, faculty, and community members to real-world environmental and cultural studies in one of California’s most vibrant natural settings.
Key Features:
- Interdisciplinary Research Opportunities: Engage in diverse fields such as environmental science, marine biology, archaeology, and cultural studies.
- Experiential Learning: Gain practical experience through field research, ecological monitoring, and conservation projects.
- Unique Location: Experience the island’s remarkable biodiversity, from native plant communities to marine ecosystems, in a protected, dynamic natural setting.
- Career and Academic Growth: Develop skills and knowledge that enhance both academic pursuits and career readiness in fields related to environmental and social sciences.
The SRIRS program empowers students and community members alike to deepen their connection to nature, engage in impactful research, and contribute to conservation efforts that benefit present and future generations.
Learn more about the Santa Rosa Island Research Station (SRIRS)
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At CSU Channel Islands, student research and creative activities are valued as high-impact educational practices that enhance student retention, accelerate time to graduation, and strengthen professional readiness. Supported by Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) funding, CSUCI Student Research provides financial assistance to help students participate in research and creative projects, primarily by enabling them to attend conferences where they can present their work and engage with their professional communities.
Key Benefits of Student Research:
- Hands-On Presentation Experience: Students gain confidence and skills by presenting their research and creative projects to live audiences.
- Professional Networking: Conferences offer students opportunities to connect with professionals in their fields, building valuable contacts for future endeavors.
- Peer Learning: Students can learn from their peers engaged in similar research, enhancing their knowledge and perspective on their own work.
- Mentorship and Support: Students form meaningful relationships with CSUCI faculty mentors, who provide guidance, support, and insight throughout the research process.
- Enhanced Career Competitiveness: Participation in research strengthens students’ resumes and makes them more competitive as they move into the next phase of their academic or professional journeys.
Through these opportunities, CSUCI Student Research advances the University’s instructional mission by supporting experiential learning, faculty mentorship, and student engagement beyond the classroom. IRA funding helps ensure that students can participate meaningfully in research and creative activities that contribute to their academic success and professional development.
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The Writing & Multiliteracy Center (WMC) at CSU Channel Islands provides a wide range of services designed to enhance students' writing and communication skills, which are crucial for success both at CI and in their future careers.
Key Services and Programs:
- Accessible Center Tutoring: Provides 1,104 hours of tutoring every semester, covering in-person, virtual, and asynchronous formats, with live tutoring available seven days a week, including evenings and weekends.
- Embedded Writing Tutoring: Offers dedicated writing support within communication-intensive courses, including first-year Composition (English), GWAR courses, and capstone courses across disciplines like Business, Health Science, Psychology, History, Special Education, Chicano Studies, Sociology, Communication, Biology, Marketing, Anthropology, ESRM, Computer Science, Political Science, and English.
- Co-Curricular Activities: Hosts activities to promote a culture of writing and communication on campus, including writing boot camps, review sessions, and popular open mic events that encourage students to share their work in a supportive environment.
The WMC’s commitment to accessible, embedded, and engaging support helps CI students develop essential skills, contributing to their academic success and preparing them for effective communication in professional settings.
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The Department of Dance, Music and Theatre at CSU Channel Islands supports student learning through instructionally related experiences in dance, music, and theatre. The program provides students with hands-on opportunities to develop technical skills, creative expression, and collaborative practice through performances, productions, and academic coursework. These activities are integrally connected to degree programs and contribute to a well-rounded educational experience.Highlights of Dance, Music and Theatre:
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Instructionally Integrated Performances: Supports student participation in performances and productions that are embedded within academic coursework and degree requirements.
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Hands-On Learning Experiences: Provides students with practical experience in performance, production, direction, and design across multiple performing arts disciplines.
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Skill Development and Professional Preparation: Helps students build technical, artistic, and collaborative skills essential for continued study and professional opportunities in the performing arts.
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Enrichment of the Campus Learning Environment: Performances and productions enhance the academic and cultural life of the campus community while maintaining a clear instructional purpose.
Dance, Music and Theatre plays a key role in providing experiential learning opportunities that support student success and advance the mission of the University
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