CAMPUS TAKES WING CHANNEL ISLANDS STUDENTS ANSWER THE OPENING BELL.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Staff Writer

Scott Johnson could have gone to Columbia University in New York or Cal State campuses in Northridge or Long Beach, but when classes started Monday, it was CSU's new Channel Islands facility that eventually won him over.

Johnson is one of about 2,300 full- and part-time students expected for the fall semester at California State University, Channel Islands, the only public university to open nationwide this year. The first freshman class will arrive in fall 2003.

``I'm pretty excited,'' said Johnson, a transfer student from Santa Barbara City College. ``It's nice and it's close to everything.''

``It kind of felt right, here,'' said Johnson, who made the 45-minute driving commute from Santa Barbara. ``I wanted a nice liberal studies degree and to be part of a new campus and help mold what it becomes.''

The Channel Islands campus, on the site of the former Camarillo State Hospital, is the first public four-year university to open its doors in Ventura County.

For many students such as Jose Sanchez, a 31-year-old math major from Ventura Community College, the new campus means access to a four-year institution.

``It's closer and cheaper,'' said Sanchez, who arrived on campus after a two-hour bus trip from Ventura.

Sylvia Perez, a junior who transferred from the Northridge campus, also appreciated that the university was near her Oxnard residence.

``It's closer to home and less expensive,'' she said. ``I think it's nice.''

On Monday, only 450 full-time students attended classes at the new university, which will specialize in several areas including biotechnology, environmental science and teacher education.

When the university is at full capacity in 2025, it will serve 15,000 full-time students, said Steve LeFevre, associate vice president for academic affairs. Class sign-ups will continue through next week.

CSUN still has an off-campus facility at Channel Islands with 784 students that will be phased out in three to four years, said LeFevre, who also is director of the CSUN at Channel Islands program.

The program offers upper-division, graduate and credential programs to students in Ventura, Santa Barbara and surrounding counties.

Anaya Simmons, 21, was concurrently taking classes offered by the Channel Islands campus and the CSUN off-campus center.

``I'm excited,'' the Oxnard resident said. ``I'm excited for the bunch of new students and the activities that will be going on.''

Computer science professor George Lazik teaches both at the new campus and CSUN. He said the new university is a tremendous boost for Ventura County and the CSU system.

``This campus is an excellent opportunity for all of Ventura County. This is the last large campus for the CSU system for a long time.''

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Senior Anaya Simmons, 21, of Oxnard pores over a course schedule Monday during the first day of classes at California State University, Channel Islands.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer