Ongoing construction at CSUCI causing noise issues
Most agree, though, improvements are best for university
By Andrea L. Minium Special to the Acorn

Among the hustle and bustle of a growing college campus, the added construction at California State University Channel Islands has become a temporary inconvenience for teachers and students.

However, those throughout the campus agree it's necessary for the university's growth and future.

Cal State Channel Islands, one of the fastest growing universities in the state, is laying the foundation to support its target population of 15,000 students by 2025.

Construction at CSUCI continues across the campus, including the soontobecompleted $62million John Spoor Broome Library.

The university has broken ground on the $3-million Martin V. Smith Center for Integrative DecisionMaking, expected to be completed by spring 2009. Construction has also begun for new classrooms and additional parking.

"We have added classrooms to the Broome Library to meet the needs of growing enrollment," said Deborah Wylie, vice president of operations, planning and construction at CSUCI.

Additional construction will include an $84-million infrastructure improvement plan that is yet to begin. The 11phase project to upgrade the university's 70-year-old buildings is slated for completion by 2010.

"Nearly all of the improvements that are being conducted won't be visible, but improvements will include upgrades to electrical, sewer, water and telecommunications services on campus," said Cecilia Potts, university spokesperson. "Another big improvement will be a new entry roadway to campus. Eventually there will be new parking lots."

Other California state universities are also making bigticket improvements to their campuses, due in large part to Proposition 1D, a measure passed by voters last year to inject $10.4 billion into California's public schools and universities.

The 23-campus California State University system received about $600 million of the state funding- CSUCI was given $84 million.

Christopher Cogan, a science professor at the university, said the construction is a great step for the campus.

"It is renovating the classical buildings and architecture that this campus is known for. They are preserving the history of this place," Cogan said.

As for construction affecting parking, Cogan said he hasn't seen a problem.

Some students, however, said the university's already limited parking has been made worse.

"Things like parking have been tough for all of us, especially commuter students," said Matt Rejis, a 19-year-old sophomore. "And I think parking is going to continue to get worse and become more of a problem unless the university does something about it."

Although parking may not be considered an issue for everyone on campus, noise caused by the ongoing construction has affected both professors and students alike.

"I find the construction a distraction because of the noise, and even with the windows closed I find myself being interrupted," Cogan said. "The university does its best to keep things like noise, dust and traffic to a minimum, but I understand that they can only do so much."

Rejis said, "I simply can't concentrate."

Potts said the university does take teachers and students into consideration when planning its construction projects.

"During exam week, especially, lots of consideration is given regarding noise levels," Potts said. "Every effort is made to minimize impact to traffic patterns and parking on campus."

In the meantime, students and teachers generally agree they'll learn to live with the extra noise and limited parking, conceding that the flurry of construction is what's best for the university in the long run.

"Where there's a will, there's a way," Rejis said.