Guide to Helping Students at CSUN

When classes resume at Cal State Northridge on Monday and with more than 10,000 of its 23,000 students expected to descend on the quake-damaged campus the first day, they may need plenty of help in adjusting to their changed world.

Information stations will be set up at 22 entrances to the campus. Each will be staffed by two people, who will provide class schedules, maps of the new campus configuration and other essential information.

Trailers--or modulars as campus officials call them--have been set up in parking lots and other open areas. No classes have been canceled, although some have been moved to 25 off-campus sites.

A new parking lot is being created west of the University Tower Apartments on Lassen Street, although it will not be open during the first week of classes. Most student services will be available at their usual locations.

Campus radio station KCSN-FM (88.5) will broadcast updates at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Below, CSUN spokeswoman Kaine Thompson answers some questions to help make the first week of classes a little easier.

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Where do I park?

Not an easy answer. Portions of several parking lots will be used for the temporary classrooms, and 2,400 spots were lost when the parking structure collapsed. That leaves about 3,000 of the 8,500 spaces that were available pre-quake--although university officials have added 2,000 spaces.

Faculty and staff should park in lots B, E, G and J. Students should park in lots A, B, O and P. No parking permits will be required for any lots until Feb. 28.

In addition, university officials said Saturday they will have 1,500 spaces graded on the north campus area by Monday, with free shuttle service to the campus available. Another 500 spaces will be available Monday off campus at the site of a defunct handyman’s store, just west of the Northridge Fashion Center at Corbin Avenue and Plummer Street.

Additional parking is being developed, and updates on the parking situation will be available daily at any of the 22 information stations.

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What if I did not register by mail? Where do I register?

Students can still register by phone by calling (800) 200-4340. In person they can go to the Student Center for Success on the first floor of the University Student Union. The Student Center for Success is serving as a one-stop center for many administrative functions.

*How will I know where my classes are?

Information will be available at each of the 22 information stations. There also will be large signs at every modular cluster, providing directions. No classes have been canceled, but some have been moved off campus. Several disciplines have added general education classes about natural disasters.

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What about science labs?

Specialized classes such as those involving science labs, music recital halls and engineering equipment have been moved to other campuses, including Pierce College, Valley College, Mission College, Glendale College, Cal Lutheran and UCLA. Classes will also be held at Valley Presbyterian Hospital, as well as several public schools. Check the schedule of classes for the location.

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What do I do if I want to drop or add a class?

Classes can be added or dropped during the first two weeks of the semester at the Student Center for Success on the first floor of the University Student Union.

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What if I have a question about my financial aid?

Students receiving financial aid should have been notified by mail where they can pick up their checks. Students who have not received a notice or who have other questions should go to the Student Center for Success.

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Is the bookstore open?

The Matador Bookstore is open and should have all books needed for classes.

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With the library closed, where can I go to study?

CSUN is trying to get library privileges at several nearby colleges for its students. UCLA has extended library privileges to CSUN students, and an hourly shuttle will be available between CSUN and the UCLA library.

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Is the Student Union open? Where can I get something to eat?

The University Student Union will be open, except the theater. All food services areas are open, except for The Roof atop Sierra South and Mixed Media, in the Fine Arts Building. The Satellite Student Union at the University Park Apartments will also be open. The University Student Union will serve as the primary information center.

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If the trailers are going to be on some of the fields, what will happen to the intramural programs?

None of the new facilities are expected to affect any of the intramural programs, nor any of the intercollegiate practices or games.

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Will there be a Daily Sundial newspaper?

The Sundial has set up temporary quarters on campus and will be published under its normal schedule. A 32-page special edition was mailed to students and staff the second week of February. The first issue of the spring semester will be available Tuesday.

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Will the student health center be open?

The student health center will be open and fully operational.

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My dorm room was in one of the structures that has been closed. What do I do?

Every student who signed a contract for housing will be accommodated. Some students began moving into their dorms Thursday, and the last of the dorms is expected to be ready by this Thursday.