Going to college in Ventura County just got a little easier.
Beginning next school year, CSU Channel Islands will begin offering guaranteed admission to high school students graduating from select school districts in Ventura County, provided they meet basic academic criteria.
University leaders say the program will open college as an option to more students while boosting CSUCI’s enrollment, which has declined in recent years.
Fillmore Unified, Santa Paula Unified, Oak Park and Oxnard Union high school districts have already approved memoranda of understanding with the university to be part of the program. Roxana Tunc, director of admissions for CSUCI, said Ojai Unified and Simi Valley Unified are in discussions about their own agreements. That includes Moorpark Unified and Conejo Valley Unified, according to statements from each district. Ventura Unified Assistant Superintendent Greg Bayless said in a statement that the district is still evaluating the program and its agreement.
Fillmore Unified Superintendent Christine Schieferle said in a statement that the district’s agreement for students affirms that CSUCI believes in them.
“This makes college a reality for our students before they graduate from high school,” she wrote.
Tunc said the university serves a large population of first-generation students who may feel unsure about applying to college. The university hopes to relieve that pressure with guaranteed admission, says Tunc.
“We’re trying to pay a little more attention to the needs of our students,” she said.
Tunc said the university has offered similar deals to all of the county’s high school districts and plans to expand the program to Santa Barbara County.
To be admitted under the terms of the program, students from those districts must meet the CSU system’s core requirements, complete the CSU’s AG course requirements, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, pass the core math and English exams and apply for financial assistance.
Students may join any unaffected major. The only currently affected major on campus is nursing, Tunc said.
The five-year agreements do not include any financial obligations, Tunc said, only requiring districts to provide a minimum level of academic support, communicate with parents about the program, share student progress with the university and join the California College Guidance Initiative, a state-funded organization. nonprofit college planning organization.
Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh And @vcsschools. You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: CSUCI to provide guaranteed admission to some local students
