Water Bottle Filling Stations

OP&C plumbers will be installing approximately 16 water bottle filling stations throughout Bell Tower, Student Housing, Recreation Center, Broome Library and Aliso Hall. OP&C staff has already installed a water bottle filling station on the Second Floor of Bell Tower West and are in the process of installing another one in the First Floor of Bell Tower, adjacent to 1681 in the Advising Hallway.  By installing these stations we are promoting the use of reusable water bottles to help reduce waste on the campus.

New Water Bottle Refilling Station

North Parking Lot Landscaping

The North Parking Lot was opened during the 2012-2013 year. The landscaping work around the parking lot continues as OPC plants additional trees and shrubs, matching the landscaping that has already taken root along the Entrance Road. The planting is also part of CI's effort to use drought resistant plants native to California and the Ventura Region, saving water while preserving the natural habitats throughout our campus.

Planting trees along the North  Parking Lot.

Green Efforts Online

OPC is always working on coming up with new ways to make the campus greener. Green technologies are becoming more prevalent in everyday life, including Channel Islands. In an effort to keep students and any others updated on what OPC is working on, we have started social networks sites. These sites, on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, are being updated with green efforts being undertaken by OPC as well as school events that encourage student participation. The Links below will take you to the Sustainable Channel Islands.

https://www.facebook.com/SustainableCI

https://twitter.com/sustainableci

http://instagram.com/sustainableci

Summer Detailing

OPC ramps-up work during summer break. This is a perfect time to thoroughly clean the campus while the student population is low. Custodians will be detailing restrooms, hallways, classrooms, offices, entry ways, public areas as well as break rooms.  All exterior stairwells, light fixtures, walls and windows will also be cleaned. This effort is an important part of our maintenance while preparing for next year's students.

Exterior detailing underway

Student Housing Refresh

In conjunction with the exterior campus refresh, the Paint Shop is busy touching-up CI's student housing. Summer break provides a great opportunity to fix any scratches and chips that occur throughout the year from students living in the resident's halls.  

Student Housing refresh in progress 

Future Play Fields

Over the past year, dirt has been imported to be used for elevating and grading our future Channel Islands Play Fields. Approximately four weeks ago the rough grading began. This now flattened land along University Drive will eventually become two soccer fields as well as a softball field.

Rough Grading of Future Play Fields

Campus Exterior Refresh

The Paint Shop is in the process of refinishing the walls of the maintenance shop buildings.  The maintenance shops are only one of the many buildings that the paint shop will be refreshing. This is part of OPC's ongoing efforts to keep the campus looking clean.

Maintenance Building Refresh

North Quad Steam Elimination

Channel Islands is undergoing a major system upgrade in providing heat to Placer Hall, Grand Salon, Petit Salon and the Carden School. The Engineers of OPC are converting these buildings from the old steam system to the new campus hot water loop infrastructure. The work is required to be completed before the demolition work for the new West Hall.

Connecting the new infrastructure heating to Grand Salon

Central Mall Fountain

Completion of the Central Mall Fountain marks a major milestone in the renovation of the Central Mall as part of CI's Master Plan.  The four-tiered Spanish mission-style fountain stands over 12 feet tall and 32 feet wide.  It is encased in decorative, custom-made Malibu tiles as well as exact replicas of historic tiles found on original 1930s buildings throughout the campus.

The fountain was designed by Carl Wesely, of the general contracting firm Wesely Thomas.  Wesely donated his services in helping oversee the project.

The Central Mall renovation is funded through the generosity of businesses, community donors, and many CI students, alumni, faculty and staff. 

Central Mall Fountain

Earth Extravaganza

Saturday, April 20, kicked off Earth Extravaganza week here at Channel Islands with the restoration of Long Grade Creek. On Monday, the Green Generation Club along with OPC and other student organizations gathered to celebrate Arbor Day and to showcase sustainable practices occurring at CI. . The day culminated with the presentation of the Tree Campus USA Plaque to Ysabel Trinidad, Vice President of Finance and Administration. The day’s events were captured by a reporter for the Ventura County Star and can be seen here: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/apr/23/csu-channel-islands-highlights-green-efforts-day/ . Earth Extravaganza's last event was held behind Yuba Hall. John Fluharty of the OPC Grounds Department along with Austin Eriksson lead students and volunteers from the community in planting a variety of Palm trees in what was a barren space along Rincon Drive. 

Grounds worker John Fluharty educates students during Palm Garden Planting

Raudel Banuelos presents the Tree USA plaque to VP Ysabel Trinidad 

New Electric Vehicle Chargers Installed in the North Parking Lot

In collaboration with Police and Parking Services, OPC is thrilled to announce that five new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have been installed in the North Parking Lot. These stations are available for the CI community to utilize, free of charge! The EV stations are a beneficial and sustainable addition to the CI campus for the current and future CI community to utilize for years to come.

New EV Charging Stations in North Parking Lot

New Fermentation Lab being Constructed behind Modoc Hall

OPC has begun work on a new outdoor Fermentation Lab funded by the CI's Science Department.  Construction started on the new lab building located next to Modoc Hall on March 4, 2013. The project is scheduled to be complete on April 27, 2013.
                                     

Construction in progress at the site of the new Fermentation Lab

President's Courtyard Refreshed

The President's Courtyard, located at University Hall, has recently undergone a refresh. The improvements included new sod and plants throughout the courtyard as well as paint touch-ups and patching on the surrounding architecture.  Recognition for all this hard work goess to campus grounds and operations staff.



Completed President's Courtyard

NEW Red Rock Campus Standard- Keeping our campus clean!

Have you noticed red rock lining some of our buildings around school? This a new campus standard that will help keep our campus looking fresh.

Here's how it works:

Dirty Wall without Red Rock

When the sprinklers are on, they splash mud onto the building walls. This leaves them looking dirty.

Clean Wall with Red Rock

The use of the Red Rocks will help keep the mud splatter to a minimum, keeping our building walls fresh and white. 

Dannie Fox Aerates Big Rock Park

Big Rock Park has been aerated by OP&C's Lead Grounds Worker, Dannie Fox.  He has been working on this project to give new life to the grass and soil on the corner of Rincon Dr. and Camarillo St.  The process of aerating the ground loosens the soil which keeps the grass from dying and allows quick absorption of nutrients from fertilizers.  Thanks, Dannie for keeping our campus beautiful!!

Broome Library Accessibility Upgrades-Installation of Automatic Door Operators

Originally, the Broome Library only had two automatic door operators.  The locksmiths are now adding five more automatic operators throughout the 1st and 2nd floors.  Additionally, the Locksmith will be installing the new standard Automatic Door Actuator on the two existing operators.

Operations Staff Working on the Wiring of the Door Openers 

Outside Automatic Door Opener

Central Mall Conversion to a Pedestrian Friendly Space

Operations, Grounds and PD&C have transformed the existing mall into a pedestrian friendly space.  The roadways have been replaced with decomposed granite paths, new planters, and the landscaping has been refreshed.  The existing street lights have also been upgraded.



New Planters have been Installed

Engineers Steam Elimination in Various Locations

The Operations staff  is currently converting the domestic hot water and Hydronic heating systems from steam to the new infrastructure heating hot water loop.  Current locations include Islands Cafe and Topanga Hall.  The domestic hot water is about 75% complete and the heating hot water portion is up and running.

The newly installed water pipes

Back-Up Power System for the Campus

Contractors installed a new transformer, automatic switch, and associated high voltage cabling power poles to support a new campus back-up power system.  Electricians are currently replacing old wiring and new components have also been installed.  Housekeeping pads are being poured for the new generator controllers.


Replacing the Old Wires

CI Park Safety Upgrades for Visitors and Residents

The Operations staff performs ongoing general clean-up of debris and makes safety hazard improvements. Recently, the electricians installed a solar lamp at the main entrance to the park as one of the safety upgrades.

Solar Power Lights Installed