4 OXNARD COLLEGE CATALOG 2005-2006 General Information History of the College Historically, the need for a community college serving the Oxnard Plain was recognized by the Oxnard, Camarillo, and Port Hueneme communities and the governing board and administration of the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) since the district was formed in 1962. Founded on the understanding established in those early years, the 118-acre college site was purchased in 1968. In 1969, the first classes offered under an Oxnard Center concept were offered at Ramona School in Oxnard. The Oxnard Center program expanded in the fall of 1973 with the opening of the Oxnard Educational Center at 9th and B Streets in Oxnard, under the direction of Ventura College; in February, 1974, a Camarillo Center opened under the auspices of Moorpark College. The 2000 AD Educational Master Plan and strong support from the Oxnard-Port Hueneme area focused attention on the need for a third college in the spring of 1974, and the Board of Trustees officially voted to build Oxnard College (OC) on March 26, 1974. The college opened its doors in June 1975 for its first summer session, utilizing the Oxnard and Camarillo centers begun by the other two colleges in the district, and adding classes at a variety of sites throughout the Oxnard Plain. By mid-fall 1975 Oxnard College had more than 4,400 students enrolled and during the spring semester that number was even higher, in all likelihood a record enrollment for first-year community colleges in this state. In fall, 1979, the first two permanent buildings were occupied on the campus: Liberal Arts Building housing 20 classrooms plus science and business laboratories and faculty office wings, and a Library/Learning Resources Center consisting of the College Library, Learning Center, general classrooms, and administrative and student services offices. The more recently constructed Occupational Education Building houses the college’s information processing, air conditioning and refrigeration, hotel and restaurant management, electronics, and word processing programs. A new Child Development Center opened in early 1992, and a new Physical Education Complex with basketball and racquetball courts, showers and lockers, dance room and weight training facilities officially opened in the fall of 1994. The Letters and Science Building was completed and occupied in 1997. A Community and Student Services Center was completed in Spring, 2003. Other campus buildings include two relocatable classroom buildings, a vocational shop building, a student services center, student activities center, and a food services facility. The Ventura County Community College District and Oxnard College entered into an agreement in 1999 with the County of Ventura to house a Job and Career Center on campus. The Center provides local residents with career training and supportive social services necessary to achieve their career goals. The Center also housed the Oxnard College Economic Development Center. County offices as well as the Oxnard College Economic Development Center, EOPS and Student Services Offices moved into the Community & Student Services building in Spring, 2003. Several new buildings and major renovation projects are scheduled to be completed within the next 10 years, due to the passage of Measure S, a $356 million bond issue for construction projects District-wide. At Oxnard College, new projects include a long-awaited Performing Arts Center including a theater, a Fine Arts Building, a "one-stop" Student Services Complex with new bookstore and food services facilities, general classroom buildings, a Health Sciences Center, and a warehouse on campus. At the District's Camarillo Airport property, a High Tech Center and Fire Technology facilities will be constructed for OC use. Major remodeling projects on campus will include the Learning Resources Center, expansion of the Child Development Center, and renovation and expansion of athletic facilities. Oxnard College continues to be committed to developing a comprehensive educational program as well as a comprehensive campus environment for the students of its service area. The goal of completing the campus's physical plant has become achievable thanks to the willingness of Ventura county citizens to support the bond issue projects. Mission Statement, Vision, and Goals The Oxnard College Mission Oxnard College embraces its diverse community by providing excellent and unique educational programs in a collaborative, nurturing safe environment that promotes student success and lifelong learning. Mission of California Community Colleges NOTE: Our mission, while unique to Oxnard College, also enables us to accomplish the State-mandated mission for all California community colleges, which requires us to offer a variety of programs and services in the following areas: Transfer Education Standard collegiate courses at the lower division level for those students who plan to earn an associate degree and/or transfer to four-year colleges and universities Vocational Education Specialized vocational and technical education and training in selected occupational fields leading to job entry, advancement, retraining, certification, and associate degrees General Education Courses designed to contribute to associate degree programs; broaden knowledge and perspectives; develop critical thinking and communication skills; enhance cultural literacy; encourage a positive attitude toward learning; and equip students to participate in a complex, interdependent world. Basic Skills Education Courses in mathematics, reading, writing, and speaking for under prepared students, as well as other programs designed to enable those with special learning needs to reach their educational goals Support Services Comprehensive services that help students achieve their educational goals through assessment of skills and abilities, counseling and advisement, tutoring, financial aid, job placement, health services, student activities, student government, child care and personal development programs 5 OXNARD COLLEGE CATALOG 2005-2006 Community Education Conveniently scheduled, state-supported noncredit classes and fee-supported educational, cultural, recreational, and occupational programs that enrich the lives of area residents and provide opportunities for lifelong learning Economic Development Programs and services, including contract training, designed to meet the specific needs of business and industry in developing a trained workforce that can enhance the economic vitality of the community The Oxnard College Vision The collaborative learning community of Oxnard College will: • rely upon scholarly, comprehensive, and current knowledge in all areas of instruction and service; • provide innovative, appropriate, and effective instruction for student success; • facilitate and maximize students' use of services that enables their educational success; • encourage students to enjoy self-reliant, lifelong learning; • ensure student and staff access to technology and develop proficiency in all forms of communication, information retrieval, critical thinking and applied analysis; • demonstrate and embrace respect for varied educational needs and cultural contributions; • enhance our students' connections to the world by promoting leadership qualities, their understanding of global interdependence, their appreciation of vast diversity of human cultures, and their cross-cultural competencies; • establish mutually beneficial relationships with the industries and communities we serve; • provide leadership and resources for economic development and for improving the quality of life within the region; • challenge students and the entire staff to a commitment in serving their communities and fellow human beings; • promote a community culture of kindness, respect and integrity; • secure sufficient resources - material, financial and otherwise - to facilitate the accomplishment of all of the above. Oxnard College’s Core Values We, the members of Oxnard College, are inspired by and will strive to exemplify through our collaborative actions the following core values: Diversity and Commonality We value others and ourselves as unique individuals and embrace the commonalties and the differences that promote the best of who we are. Excellence We value vision, creativity, risk taking and innovation to achieve and sustain excellence. Integrity and Civility We value integrity, honesty and congruence in action and word by demonstrating kindness and respect in all our interactions. Learning We value learning as a lifelong process in the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth. Shared Decision Making We value shared decision making (shared governance) as the process that provides each of us the opportunity to build consensus. Oxnard College Strategic Goals 1. To develop and strengthen a positive college image in our community. 2. To obtain additional financial and human resources to strengthen the institution. 3. To provide facilities, technology, and other learning resources necessary to meet the educational and cultural needs of our growing community. 4. To enhance the economic, cultural, and social well-being of individuals and families in our community. 5. To use research and program review to assess program quality and guide institutional development. 6. To maximize student success. Philosophy of the College Wise I may not call them; for that is a great name that belongs to God alone-lovers of wisdom or philosophers is their modest and befitting title. Socrates Oxnard College is dedicated to the philosophy of providing educational programs that develop individual abilities, strengthen human relationships, enhance community life, and heighten global consciousness. We recognize that the process of education is a process of exploration that depends on mutual responsibility. The College schedules programs that reflect changing local, national, and international needs. Dedicated professionals create an environment that stimulates intellectual curiosity, nurtures learning, and develops an understanding of society and how individuals can influence its workings. The students develop self-understanding, pursue educational objectives, and ultimately stand accountable for their own progress. Oxnard College celebrates diversity and cultural understanding at all levels throughout the campus. Cultural and aesthetic activities are also relevant in today’s society and are to be fostered. The College strives to provide open-access to educational opportunities so that every adult, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, or ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural or educational background shall have the opportunity for appropriate education to fulfill his or her potential. Oxnard College looks to the past to understand the present in order to produce a more successful future. It strives to be innovative and responsive to the educational needs and demands of society in an atmosphere of shared governance, mutual respect, and trust. Oxnard College is responsive not only to community needs but also to the needs of our larger society. Nature of the College Oxnard College is a locally-controlled, public comprehensive two-year college, part of the California state system of higher education. As such, and in keeping with the policies of both the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees and the State Legislature, the college exists to serve members of the community who are high school graduates or who are over the age of 18 and capable of profiting from instruction. 6 OXNARD COLLEGE CATALOG 2005-2006 Accreditation Oxnard College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Community Services Community Services is a self-supporting outreach function of Oxnard College which provides the community with unique educational, recreational and personal development classes. It offers Traffic School classes in English and Spanish on a regular basis. In addition, as authorized by the Civic Center Act, the Community Services office schedules and coordinates the use of college facilities by off-campus organizations and individuals for conferences, seminars and other events. For information regarding any Community Services program or function call (805) 986-5822. Critical Thinking Goal Oxnard College provides an environment which encourages open-minded, independent, and critical thinking. Classes are structured to emphasize in-depth learning of fundamentals. Students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning. This means that students are expected to learn the art of independent study and to develop sound intellectual habits such as clarity, precision, and accuracy of thought; fairmindedness; and conclusions drawn from facts and principles rather than prejudice, distortion, or half-truths. Courses help students to develop and apply critical thinking skills to the various areas of college study and to transfer such competencies both to problems that cross disciplines and to complex problems in life. Analytical and inferential thinking are encouraged so that students practice, as Robert Ennis said, “reasonable reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do.” Memberships Oxnard College is a member of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, the Community College League of California, and the Western State Conference. OXNARD COLLEGE Student Profile Fall 2004 Enrollment: Full-time .......................................................................32% Part-time .......................................................................68% TOTAL ....................................................................... 6,811 Gender: Female ..........................................................................59% Male ..............................................................................41% Age: 19 or Less ..................................................................26.8% 20-24 ..........................................................................31.9% 25-29 ..........................................................................12.3% 30-34 ............................................................................7.8% 35-39 ............................................................................6.6% 40-49 ............................................................................9.4% 50 or more....................................................................5.1% Ethnicity: African American ........................................................3.9% Asian ............................................................................3.7% Filipino ........................................................................5.4% Hispanic .....................................................................61.8% Native American ..........................................................0.9% Pacific Islander ............................................................0.6% White .........................................................................19.6% Other & Unknown .......................................................4.0% 2003/2004 Financial Aid Total financial aid awarded ............................... $5,938,415 Spring/Fall 2005 International Students Enrollment ...................................................................... 66 Countries represented: Albania, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Hondorus, Japan, Korea, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, Trinidad, Tobago, Tunisia, Venezuela, Vietnam. 7 OXNARD COLLEGE CATALOG 2005-2006 OXNARD COLLEGE STUDENT RIGHT-TO-KNOW 2000 FACT SHEET In compliance with the Student-Right-to-Know (SRTK) and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Public Law 101- 542), it is the policy of the Ventura County Community College District and Oxnard College to make available its completion and transfer rates to all current and prospective students. In Fall 2000, a cohort of all certificate-, degree-, and transfer-seeking first-time, full-time students is identified and tracked over a three-year period. SRTK rates do not represent the success rates of the entire student population at Oxnard College, nor do they account for student outcomes occurring after this threeyear tracking period. The completion rate is the percentage of students in the cohort who earned a degree or certificate, or could be considered “transferable” to a four-year institution (completed 56 or more transferable units with at least 2.0 GPA). The transfer rate is the percentage of students in the cohort who have been identified as having transferred to another California Community College or a four-year institution, but did not meet the criteria above to be classified as a “completer.” Federal law prohibits a student from being counted in more than one category; therefore, those students who are “completers” and have transferred to a four-year institution are only counted once as “completers,” and not as “transfers.” The tables below present the SRTK rates for Oxnard College and statewide for the last five cohort years. Completion Rates 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Oxnard 28.2 28.9 30.3 27.4 26.2 Statewide 32.0 32.7 30.6 34.8 33.7 Transfer Rates 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Oxnard 32.9 25.8 31.1 19.2 23.8 Statewide 25.1 25.5 27.0 23.6 22.1 Unfortunately, the completion rates at Oxnard College have consistently been lower than those seen statewide except in 1998, when the gap was closed. The transfer rates at Oxnard College were consistently higher than the statewide rates from 1995 through 1998, but dropped in 1999 to a level below that seen statewide. The Oxnard College rate returns to being above the statewide rate in 2000. It should be noted that the cohort used for SRTK represents a very small proportion of the students at Oxnard College. The 2000 SRTK cohort of 84 students is only 1.1 percent of the entire enrolled student population of 7,470 students, and only 6.4 percent of the 1,317 first-time students enrolled that term. Many students attend Oxnard College with goals other than earning a degree or certificate or preparing to transfer to a four-year institution. In addition, the majority of Oxnard students attend on a part-time basis, thus excluding them from the SRTK cohort. The chart below presents a more comprehensive, informative and representative picture of outcomes for Oxnard College students. The chart above indicates that 100 percent of students achieved some level of success at Oxnard: 57 percent either completed a degree or certificate, became transferprepared, or transferred to another institution; 32 percent left the college in good academic standing; and 11 percent are still enrolled. None of students in this cohort left the college in poor academic standing. It should be noted that the completion percentage of 33% in this chart does not match the reported completion rate of 26% because six of the 28 total students who completed their programs, did not complete within 150% of the normal time for the program and therefore are not included in the calculation of the rate. For additional copies contact Conni Bittinger, Research Assistant at cbittinger@vcccd.net. For more information on SRTK, please contact Dr. Darla Cooper, Director of Institutional Research at dcooper@vcccd.net. Oxnard College Office of Institutional Research July 2004 Outcomes for 2000 SRTK Cohort Completers 33% Transfers 24% Still Enrolled 11% Left in Good Standing 32% Left in Poor Standing 0%