AREA COLLEGE SET TO KICK OFF FALL SEMESTER.

Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer

Nearly 11,000 students are expected to cram classes, pack the parking lot and line up at the student book store when Moorpark College opens its doors Monday for the first day of the fall semester.

As of Thursday, 10,600 students had enrolled, said Cheryl Shearer, director of information systems for the Ventura County Community College District. That's a jump of 15 percent over last year when enrollment stood at 8,996, Shearer said.

``We're definitely seeing more of an increase at Moorpark,'' Shearer said. ``We've seen an increase districtwide, but that's one campus that has really started to build its classes.''

Moorpark College has the largest enrollment of Ventura County's three community colleges. Numbers countywide will change slightly as college officials complete final enrollment counts.

At Oxnard Community College, enrollment jumped 14 percent from 4,333 in 1995 to 5,040 this year, officials said. At Ventura Community College, enrollment is up 7.78 percent from 8,603 last year to 9,329 this year.

Moorpark's numbers are highest partly because of the college's public relations and marketing efforts, and more sections added to the curriculum, Shearer said.

Countywide, enrollment has risen because returning students with bachelor's degrees are no longer paying more for classes, Shearer said. For the last six semesters, students who already had degrees from four-year colleges and universities had to pay $50 per unit compared to the normal fee of $13 per unit.

The fee differential was adopted to bring in more revenue and to create more room in crowded courses by discouraging returning students from enrolling, officials said.

The fee hike ended in the spring of this year.

``The word is getting out,'' she said. ``More students are aware they are not going to have to pay a penalty for already earning a degree.''

Moorpark College offers associate degrees in arts and sciences, as well as certificate programs in accounting and computers.

The college also offers an Exotic Animal Training and Management Program - the only one of its kind nationwide. The intensive course of study teaches students all facets of tending and training animals, from water buffalo and monkeys to camels and pythons.

In addition to classes at the Moorpark campus, the college is operating evening satellite campuses at Valley View Junior High in Simi Valley, Newbury Park High School and Westlake High School. Classes include Spanish, speech, psychology, business, English, math and science.

Cost for state residents is $13 per unit. There is also a $10 health fee. Parking is $1 per day, or $30 for a semester permit.

Late registration and schedule changes can be made at the administration building from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Friday, Aug. 30 is the last day to register late or make schedule changes.

For more information, call the Admissions Office at [phone].

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--ran in SIMI and CONEJO--color) Moorpark Colle ge faculty members eat Friday at the annual barbecue with President Jim Walker, right. Fall courses begin Monday.

(2--SIMI only) Bobby Sanchez serves Moorpark College teacher Sexton Stewart on Friday at the annual barbecue.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News