Citizens Panel for University Proposed

Mayor Charlotte Craven wants to establish an ad hoc citizens committee to provide guidance to Cal State University Channel Islands officials regarding community interests.

“Businesses, residents, educators and prospective students, as a group, need to make their support, extent of their cooperation and expectations known--now,” Craven said.

The City Council will decide at its Wednesday meeting whether to appoint 25 residents and two council members to serve on the proposed committee.

Members of the panel would consult Cal State officials about their expectations, curriculum, educational and health care partnerships, and cultural and athletic activities, Craven said. The university is planned on the grounds of the former Camarillo State Hospital.

“Camarillo . . . is the city that will be most impacted by the university and its students,” Craven said. “It is the city that needs most to be involved with development plans.”

Craven said she fears the lack of Camarillo representation at recent university planning events might unintentionally suggest the city doesn’t support the university.

But university President Handel Evans said he does not perceive a lack of support from either Camarillo officials or residents. He declined, however, to give his full support to the idea of forming a citizens committee.

“The more participation I can get from the community in any shape or form is welcome,” he said. “The question is whether this is the right vehicle.”

Evans said he will attend Wednesday’s meeting to comment on the proposed committee, as well as to provide an update on university plans.

In less than a year, Cal State officials plan to convert the closed state hospital into a college campus, complete with a bookstore, library and technology center.

Officials are also considering the creation of a senior citizen community, a high-tech business park and housing for students, staff and faculty members.