Camarillo, CA., July 26, 2010 – California State University Channel Islands (CI) is one of the best universities in the nation to work for, according to a new survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

The results, released today in The Chronicle’s third annual report on The Academic Workplace, are based on a survey of more than 42,000 employees at 277 colleges and universities. In all, only 97 of the 277 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium, and large institutions, with CI included among medium campuses that have between 3,000 to 9,999 students.

CI was recognized in the category of Collaborative Governance.

“This award further demonstrates the uniqueness of our campus, but our real goal is not recognition – it is evidence of how our Channel Islands community values the needs and contributions of every individual.  As we focus on our mission to serve students, everyone at CI helps to make this a great place to work,” said University President Richard R. Rush.

The Chronicle is the nation’s most important source of news about colleges and universities. “With the Great Colleges program, The Chronicle can provide even more of the vital information our readers rely on – unbiased reporting on which colleges are being innovative in their workplace practices,” said Jeffrey J. Selingo, The Chronicle’s editor.

The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit that captured demographics and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.

To administer the survey and analyze the results, The Chronicle worked with ModernThink LLC, a strategic human capital consulting firm that has conducted numerous “Best Places to Work” programs, surveying hundreds of thousands of employees nationwide.

Great Colleges to Work For is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all the results of the survey, visit The Chronicle’s Web site at http://chronicle.com/academicworkplace.

For media inquiries contact Nancy Covarrubias Gill, Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands at 805-437-8456 or nancy.gill@csuci.edu.

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CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
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.

Nationally there are over 1,500 biotech companies which generate thousands of high paying jobs and billions of dollars in revenue.  California leads the nation in the field of biotechnology with one third of these companies residing in state, many of which are highly successful, multinational corporations.  The California biotech industry employs 260,000 people with estimated revenue of $62 billion and is growing exponentially.

The program will be offered through CI’s Extended University as a self-funded program and not subject to the ups and downs of funding from the state budget.  The program is available both to CI students and to those working in the biotech industry who wish to advance their own technical skills.  Classes will be conducted in the evening or on weekends to accommodate those who are working or otherwise unable to attend during daytime hours. The BME program has a strong advisory board composed of members from the local biotech industry who, in conjunction with CI faculty, contribute input on program design and implementation so course work remains relevant to current industry needs.

Biomedical engineering is an interdisciplinary field involving diagnostics, medical instrumentation, tissue engineering, biomechanics and biorobotics.  There is a great shortage of qualified workers needed in this field and 28% of the jobs require at least a Master’s degree or higher in the biotech field.  The program in this new BME is well positioned to serve California’s and the nation’s needs.  Students graduating from the program will be ready to enter their chosen field and make a contribution or go on to pursue an advanced degree or professional training.

For information on the program and enrollment process contact Extended University at 805-437-2748 or exed@csuci.edu.

For media inquiries contact Nancy Covarrubias Gill, Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands, 805-437-8456 or nancy.gill@csuci.edu.

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CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
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.

The CSU Channel Islands Nursing Program at Cottage Health System will begin in spring 2012. This will allow a cohort of up to 22 students annually to enroll in the program which will operate as an off-site location for the existing CSU Channel Islands Nursing Program based in Camarillo. Students will be eligible for admission to the BSN program after they have completed the required General Education courses. CSU Channel Islands Nursing Program classes will be offered at a site in Goleta, near Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital.

The collaboration with CSU Channel Islands builds on Cottage’s successful partnership with Santa Barbara City College and its program offering an Associate Degree in Nursing.

Healthcare providers across the nation anticipate a nursing shortage over the next several decades. Currently, nursing schools are not able to graduate enough nursing students to meet the nation’s projected acute care nursing needs.

“With the retirement of our ‘baby boomer’ generation of nurses on the horizon, we know that it is critical to develop our community workforce through additional educational partnerships,” explains Herb Geary, vice president, patient care services and chief nursing officer, at Cottage Health System. “Our collaborative efforts with Santa Barbara City College have shown that nurses who are educated locally are more likely to make a career commitment to Cottage.”

“The partnership with Cottage Health System will promote a workforce educated in the principle of evidence-based practice. The curriculum places emphasis on caring for patients across the healthcare system in public health, hospitals and clinics, and in the home,” states Dr. Karen Jensen, director of nursing, CSU Channel Islands.

This ten-year agreement is being funded by Cottage through a multi-year pledge totaling $6 million. This includes funding for faculty positions as well as capital improvements and equipment/technology for the new Goleta-based campus. Cottage will fulfill this commitment through hospital operating reserves and ongoing philanthropic outreach. CSU Channel Islands will also be pursuing philanthropic outreach for student scholarships for its nursing programs, and endowment support for faculty positions.

Cottage’s partnership with CSU Channel Islands illustrates what healthcare providers and schools of nursing can accomplish together for their local communities. The first cohort of students belonging to this partnership will graduate in May 2014. Off-site delivery of the existing CSU Channel Islands Nursing Program is pending approval from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

For University inquiries contact Joanna Murphy, Assistant Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands, 805-437-8915 or joanna.murphy@csuci.edu.

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About CSU Channel Islands
California State University Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CSU Channel Islands Mission Statement
Placing students at the center of the educational experience, CSU 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.
For more information visit: http://nursing.csuci.edu/

About Cottage Health System    
The not-for-profit Cottage Health System -- the parent organization of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and its associated Cottage Children’s Hospital and Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital, and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital -- is guided by a volunteer board of directors from the greater-Santa Barbara community. Last year, the Cottage hospitals provided inpatient care for 21,000 people, treated 66,000 patients through their 24-hour emergency departments and helped deliver 2,600 newborns.

Cottage Health System Mission Statement:
The mission of Cottage Health System is to provide superior health care through a commitment to our communities and to our core values of excellence, integrity and compassion.
For more information visit: http://www.cottagehealthsystem.org

This is the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious award in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholar through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the institution’s mission. The program is designed to promote integration of education and research to encourage the process of discovery to stimulate learning for students.

Leonard’s efforts will focus on engaging talented but disadvantaged undergraduate and graduate students in original research early in their college careers. Her research will concentrate on developing mathematical shape modeling. Recent advances in imaging technology in the field of surveillance, astronomy and medical diagnosis have increased a demand for appropriate imaging mathematical models. The students’ efforts will also involve industrial collaboration; this collaborative experience will benefit students with applications of mathematical models to the real world problems to advance the shape-based technology forward.

Leonard’s work will also be devoted to developing course modules based on applications of mathematics for image analysis. These course modules will be designed for use by college sophomores nationwide.

“Our primary goals for this project are to engage students in activity-based learning in mathematics and helping students learn about the applications of mathematical models to the real world problems, and thereby better preparing our students for 21st century jobs and to pursue graduate degrees,” stated Leonard. Student researchers at CI will be working in teams on projects, and they will be mentored by Leonard as they progress in their research. These students will also receive stipend for their participation in the year long program.

The second area of Leonard’s project will connect with the community through outreach, mentoring of high school students from underrepresented groups, and through collaboration between student researchers and future teachers at CI. This collaboration will result in designing activity-based learning platforms for use in local schools.

Dr. Sadiq Shah, Associate Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs at CI, stated, “This is yet another example of CI faculty members implementing innovative approaches to engage students in hands-on activities to enhance their learning experiences. This experience will also help CI student researchers to connect theory with solving real world problems, and to develop additional learning tools that can be implemented in regional schools and beyond to advance the learning process about mathematical sciences.”

For further information on this program, please contact Dr. Kathryn Leonard at kathryn.leonard@csuci.edu  or Dr. Sadiq Shah at sadiq.shah@csuci.edu.

For media inquiries contact Joanna Murphy, Assistant Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands, 805-437-8915 or joanna.murphy@csuci.edu.

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CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
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.

Dr. Donald Rodriguez, Chair and Associate Professor of ESRM at CI, expressed that, “The relationship we are forging is good for students, good for CSU Channel Islands, Wishtoyo, the community, and our environment.  I believe this will be a partnership for the 21st century and that it will set the bar for the next level of community involvement at CI.  Sharing resources like this more than doubles the capacity of both our organizations’ ability to serve Ventura County. This will serve to spawn unique opportunities for educational and monitoring funding, while increasing our respective networks exponentially.”

The partnership will provide CI students with:

• Enhanced Watershed Science, Management, and Policy Educational Opportunities
• Transferable and Professional Environmental Skill Sets
• Additional Water Quality Related Project and Research Opportunities
• Laboratory and Field Experience
• Watershed Monitoring, Community Mobilizing, and Advocacy Internship Positions

“Wishtoyo’s VCK Program is thrilled to help provide CI’s future graduates – our future leaders and community members – with enhanced educational experiences and professional skill sets, and an increased environmental and cultural awareness,” says Mati Waiya, Executive Director of Wishtoyo’s VCK Program and Chumash Ceremonial Elder.

“Not only are we ecstatic about the educational and professional opportunities that the partnership will provide for CI students, but the enhancement in VCK’s efforts to monitor, protect, and restore the water quality and the ecological integrity of Ventura County’s inland and coastal waterbodies will be tremendous. Our efforts will be furthered greatly from increased student involvement, greater access to the CI community for outreach and mobilization, better coordination with CI’s researchers and scientists, and the housing of our Watershed Monitoring Program in CI’s new first class ESRM laboratory.” says Jason Weiner, VCK’s Associate Director and Staff Attorney (M.E.M.). “The partnership is an enormous social and scientific asset to the Ventura County community.”

CI’s ESRM program has been investigating water quality issues in Ventura County for several years, but their limited capacity to date has kept these efforts moderate.  With newly opened campus wet lab space and this partnership with VCK, the stage is set for a greatly expanded sentinel monitoring effort.  “We have great collaborations with local and regional academic partners and laboratories,” said Dr. Sean Anderson, Assistant Professor of ESRM at CI.  “Recently we have been sending some of our students to colleagues’ labs at other universities as we simply didn’t have the in-house capacity to get their samples processed here at CI.  Now we can send students to our collaborators when they have a need to learn a particular technique or piece of novel equipment and make the reciprocal offer to them.”

To volunteer with Ventura Coastkeeper’s Watershed Monitoring Program email: jweiner.venturacoastkeeper@wishtoyo.org and visit http://www.wishtoyo.org/ventura-coastkeeper.html for monthly monitoring opportunities. 

For additional information about the partnership, contact Dr. Donald Rodriguez at CSU Channel Islands at 805-437-8494 or Jason Weiner at Wishtoyo’s VCK at 805-823-3301.

This analysis includes the fiscal impact of campus spending on the region and the state, the jobs generated by CI, on workforce preparation, and higher alumni earnings which contribute to the state’s tax base.
 
Annual spending related to CI, $135.5 million, generates a total impact of nearly $240.5 million on the statewide economy.  This impact sustains more than 1,200 jobs in the region and more than 2,000 jobs statewide.

From the standpoint of local and state tax revenue, the impact generates tax revenue in excess of $6 million per year at the local level and $13.7 million at the state level. 

 “While an economic analysis cannot fully account for the unique role that CI plays in the region nor in the impact it makes in providing opportunities to change people’s lives, it does indicate the strong contribution CI makes to the economic vitality of the people of California,” President Richard R. Rush stated.

Additionally, more than $48.8 million of CI graduate earnings are attributable to their CI degrees, which create an additional $302.5 million of industry activity throughout the state. For every dollar of state appropriations invested in CI, there is an increased spending return of $4.34 at the state level.  On a larger scale, for every dollar of state appropriations invested in CSU colleges there is an increased spending return of $5.71 at the state level. 
 
As the only four-year public university in Ventura County, CI provides high quality, innovative university education for the broadest spectrum of students, offering financial and academic assistance to encourage a straightforward path to graduation and future employment in area companies or graduate school.

The Impact of the California State University System report can be downloaded in its entirety or by individual campus at: http://www.calstate.edu/impact/innovation/economic.html.
 
For media inquiries contact Nancy Covarrubias Gill, Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands, 805-437-8456 or nancy.gill@csuci.edu.

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CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
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.

The new tiered system will address two issues: promoting fairness for students needing specific classes for their major or graduation, and reducing the number of classes to meet the financial constraints facing CI in the wake of budget reductions by the state.  This will impact students’ class schedules for fall 2010.

Dr. Jane Sweetland, Dean of Enrollment at CI, said, “We’ve been working hard to find ways to support both the success of our continuing students and provide access to as many students as possible. While the state is not supporting growth on this campus, demand has grown exponentially. Our goal is to provide an excellent educational opportunity for all our students.”
 
Tiered registration will involve students registering for classes at two different times or in two different ‘passes.’  During the first pass, which begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 21, transfer students can register for up to 9 units.  During the second pass, beginning at 9 a.m. on July 15, transfer students can register for up to 6 additional units, bringing their total fall enrollment up to a maximum of 15 units.  Freshmen, whose orientation begins June 22, will be counseled to take 12 units, but may register for up to 14 units.  Their second pass will allow them to take up to a total of 15 units.

Because of budgetary constraints, CI is forced to offer fewer classes than students demand and this new system will allow a greater number of new students a chance to register for more of their most preferred classes.  University officials indicated that the purpose of this tiered registration system is to provide an opportunity for as many students as possible to maximize their schedules in a way that is fair and equitable. While the University would like to be able to offer more classes, it must live within the boundaries of the state’s current financial reality.

For additional information about tiered registration at CI, contact deanofenrollment@csuci.edu.

For media inquiries contact Nancy Covarrubias Gill, Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands, 805-437-8456 or nancy.gill@csuci.edu.

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CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
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.

Each summer the REU program will allow a group of 12 undergraduate students research experience and the program is funded for three years.  Students will work with four faculty members as they explore the world of mathematical research in an 8-week residential summer program.  They will have the added benefit of cooperating with the faculty and students of the Universidad Autónomo del Estado de Hidalgo in Mexico.

The REU program is targeted for students who might not otherwise have considered mathematics as a career choice and has a special focus on students from under-represented groups, women and minorities and a special emphasis on students who are Spanish speaking or are first generation college students.

Dr. Cynthia Wyels, Associate Professor of Mathematics said that, “Our primary goal for student participants is to conduct original mathematical research leading to publication.  We wish to raise students’ level of mathematical maturity and confidence while fostering an enthusiasm for mathematics.” The mission of the National Science Foundation in awarding the grant is to support activities that integrate research and learning and stimulate and prepare students to consider a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Students will have a chance to work closely with faculty mentors on an original research project and to present their research at a conference.  They will be housed in Anacapa Village in Camarillo.  In developing a learning community, students will develop confidence to succeed in ongoing mathematical studies.

Dr. Sadiq Shah, Associate Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs, stated, “These are very competitive awards and this grant award is a validation of the creative talent of our faculty at CSU Channel Islands and the faculty commitment to engage students in innovative research experiences.”

For further information on the REU program please contact Dr. Shah at sadiq.shah@csuci.edu.

For media inquiries contact Nancy Covarrubias Gill, Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands, 805-437-8456 or nancy.gill@csuci.edu.

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CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
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.

Reed began planning for the team in May of 2009.  Since the school is based on the principle of shared governance, input was sought from faculty, staff and students on the development of the athletic program.  Reed stated, “Having women’s soccer as our first sport made sense for CI.  Looking at the soccer landscape here in Ventura County, from high schools, AYSO, soccer clubs and the programs at the community colleges, it was clear there was talent and interest in the sport.”

In fall 2010, CI will begin to interview Head Women’s Soccer Coach candidates so there will be a Head Coach in place by January 2011.  Coaches will begin building their programs throughout the winter.  Prospective players will be recruited from existing CI students, community colleges and high school seniors who will be attending CI in fall 2011.

Fall 2011 will see intensive team training and skill building, coupled with limited scheduled competitions.  Carl Reed said the team, as the first entry of the athletic program, will have everything it needs to compete and be successful, create interest and build student and community support for the University’s athletic efforts.  Reed mentioned that men’s golf is seriously being considered as the University’s second team sport in the future if sufficient private funding has been raised to support the program.

The women’s soccer team will be officially launched with a full-time Division II playing season in fall 2012.

For information on the women’s soccer program and opportunities to get involved, contact athletics@csuci.edu.
 
For media inquiries contact Nancy Covarrubias Gill, Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands, 805-437-8456 or nancy.gill@csuci.edu.

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CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
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.

Participating artists are selected members of the Southern California Women’s Caucus for Art (SCWCA), the largest chapter of the 27 national chapters of the Women’s Caucus for Art.  This leading national organization for women actively engaged in the visual arts profession is also an affiliated society of the College Art Association.

The show is co-curated by art historians Denise Lugo, a lecturer at CI, and Karen Schifman, a professor at CSU Northridge and board member of SCWCA. Featured in this exhibition are nineteen artists, all dealing with the topic of memory.  There are paintings, drawings, photography, quilts, book making and fiber art which demonstrate, through artistic interpretation, memory’s personal and compelling ability to inspire both happy and painful recollections. 

Participating artists are Ulla Barr, Lucy Blake-Elahi, Elizabeth Bloom, Marie Cenker, Molly Enholm, Rosalie Friis-Ross, Doro Hofmann, Ann Isolde, Sandra Lauterbach, Meg Madison, Carmen Monne Martin, Penny McElroy, Freyda Miller, Sandra Mueller, Avinger Nelson, Sue Ann Robinson, Orly Ofry Ruben, Deborah Thomas, and Elizabeth Wallace.

The exhibition will run from June 1 to July 28. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Limited parking is available on campus. A daily permit is $6. Free parking is available at the Camarillo Metrolink Station/Lewis Road parking lot in Camarillo with bus service to and from the campus. Riders should board the VISTA Bus to the campus; the fare is $1 each way. Buses arrive and depart from the Camarillo Metrolink Station every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. For exact times, check the schedule at www.goventura.org.

For additional information please contact Karen Schifman at 310-993-1137 or karen.j.schifman@csun.edu.

For media inquiries contact Nancy Covarrubias Gill, Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands, 805-437-8456 or nancy.gill@csuci.edu

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CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
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.