California State University--Channel Islands
Hallmarks and Quirks
Things I'm Good At:
- Being all tree-huggy and environmentalist. What, you thought the beauty of my campus was just for show? Nope, I've got water bottle refill stations, recycling bins, two people on a corner wearing Greenpeace shirts and talking to people…heck, even the buildings are recycled.
- Small classes. They're generally under twenty-five students. This means that classes are taught by professors (not TAs), so you can be sure that you're being taught by people who know stuff about stuff. Also, you'll be able to "foster a relationship with your professors," which is pamphlet-ese for "have a college professor or two as a professional reference."
- Speaking of the number twenty-five, that's just how many miles I am from Malibu. Yes, that Malibu. Hubba hubba.
My Top 5 Must-Haves:
- A bus pass. If you'll be living off campus, that is. And if you don't like paying $180 for the opportunity to maybe find a parking spot if you get there early enough. (This is doubly true for the first week.)
- Some sort of refillable water bottle, if only to make use of the various refill stations dotting the corridors like a passive-aggressive ecologist ("Sure, go ahead and use an Arrowhead bottle. It's not like I spent all this money for your benefit or anything.")
- Some sort of computer and headphones. It's what everyone else is doing when there's no one to talk to.
- Clothes befitting a warm climate.
- An umbrella…tucked away somewhere safe. Yes, it's sunny 99% of the time, but that 1%...well, let's just say that Albert Hammond was right.
Why You Might Have Heard of Me:
- I was formerly known as The Camarillo State Mental Hospital. Now, you have to ask to be institutionalized here.
- The completely unfounded rumor that the Eagles song "Hotel California" is about this former identity.
On a regular Saturday night, you can find me...
I'm probably at home or with friends. I do have events every now and then, but I'm more laid-back than most schools. If you're here, chances are you're either studying or messing around on the Internet while you wait for your next class.
Favorite Hangouts:
- The Student Union. It's got billiards, food, music blasting from those TV channels that think they're radio channels, video games, television that you can actually watch, and loads of bored-looking teenagers either studying or pretending to study on their laptops.
- The Library. That big, glass monstrosity that looks a bit different from the other buildings. Granted, you're expected to be quiet, but if you're just looking to pass the time scrolling through Facebook, well, here you go.
- You know what I have a lot of? Lawns. Lawns that, most of the time, you're free to sit on. Nature has a way of failing to provide power outlets, so you're going to need to bring actual people here, or maybe just a nice book.
Quirks:
- My campus is made entirely of retrofitted ancient structures that look like something from renaissance Italy. Also, the library looks like someone ripped it from a skyscraper.
- Not all of the rooms and buildings are actually used. There are dark caves locked behind dilapidated, rusty gates that, even in full daylight, seem to house an endless void of darkness…
- You know The Ring and that one episode of Buffy where it seemed like she was just a crazy person? Those were filmed here.
Famous Alumni:
- I'm pretty young, so I haven't had a chance to bring many famous people into the world. Maybe you'll be the first, eh?