IT'S BACK TO BOOKS AT CLU CAMPUS WELCOMES LARGEST FRESHMAN CLASS.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - Students arrived at California Lutheran University on Tuesday for the first day of instruction, some eager freshmen - part of the largest first-year class since the school was founded - others seasoned seniors ready to finish their undergraduate education.

``Usually I don't see this many people here at CLU on a normal day,'' said John Teeter, 22, a senior Spanish major. ``But after you do (the first day) for so many years, it just becomes something you do.''

The university is experiencing its largest freshman class since the school was founded more than 40 years ago, said to Lynda Fulford, director of public information for CLU.

Undergraduate attendance this year is expected to be about 1,850, 375 of whom are freshman, Fulford said. The campus also expects to enroll 1,000 graduate students.

The student body will meet this morning at 10 a.m. at Samuelson Chapel for the annual Opening Convocations.

``This is the fun time, the first days,'' Fulford said. ``Students are greeting each other, and they don't have any tests yet. They don't have to hit the books because they're still buying books.''

Teeter said these beginning days are special because they will be his last at the school.

``I'm looking forward to my last year. It's been a lot of fun,'' he said. ``And it's cool to see all your friends again.''

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Senior Jessica Nierod is all smiles on the first day of classes.

(2 -- color) California Lutheran University sophomore Karl Fedje skates past a school landmark, ``The Enormous Luther.''

(3 -- color) Logan Steinhauer, 19, and Amy LaFata, 18, part of CLU's largest freshman class, buy books and other supplies on their first day of CLU classes Tuesday.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer