Dec 17, 2024 Partnership will enable Oxnard College students to live on CSUCI campus

Dec. 17, 2024 - CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) and Oxnard College (OC) have finalized an agreement that will enable some Oxnard College students to live in the CSUCI residence halls with a pilot program beginning with the Spring 2025 semester.

Representatives from OC and CSUCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was finalized by the OC Board of Trustees in November. This pilot program will enable select students from Oxnard College to live in the residence halls while attending the community college.

"We're looking at supporting 15 students from Oxnard College," said Associate Vice President for Student Life & Support Programs and Dean of Students Julia Heck. "Both institutions are investigating this to see how we can provide the best experience for the students. They will be living on campus with a campus meal plan like any CSUCI student."

Officials from CSUCI and OC say both campuses stand to benefit from the partnership. OC students will get a chance to see what it is like to be part of a four-year university while CSUCI benefits if OC students decide to continue their education at CSUCI after graduating from OC.

"Being immersed in a university environment while taking classes at a community college will appeal to many of our students," said OC Vice President of Student Development, Oscar Cobian. "Our students will get the best of both worlds, taking classes at Oxnard College while also enjoying university activities and resources such as the CSUCI library, the recreational center, and participating in campus events at both institutions."

OC is holding informational sessions and has established a web site and social media campaign explaining how OC students can apply to live on the CSUCI campus. Cobian said OC's social media posts relating to housing at the CSUCI campus received the highest number of engagements for the Fall semester.

Also, there is bus transportation between the two campuses for OC students living on the CSUCI campus. CSUCI Vice President of Student Affairs Eboni Ford Turnbow said she's very excited to see the outcome of this pilot program at the end of the Spring semester.

"We can talk about anything that we missed, and what else we can do to create the best student experience," Ford Turnbow said. "Hopefully everything goes well, and we can potentially look at supporting 30, 40, 50 students from Oxnard College."

Officials from both campuses say they're excited about this partnership as both CSUCI and OC share the common goal of seeing students thrive throughout the college experience, graduate and go on to enjoy fulfilling careers.

"This is a way for us to acknowledge that housing is a significant part of the student collegiate experience, and this way, we can provide a space for them to have the best educational experience possible," Heck said. "It's one more way we break down the barriers toward access to a college education."