FOR RELEASE:
May 21, 1999

CSUN, Valley College Launch Partnership
to Tackle Remediation Issues

CSUN President Blenda J. Wilson and Valley College President Tyree Weider will sign an agreement creating the partnership during a special ceremony at 8 a.m. Monday, May 24, in the University Club at the corner of Zelzah Avenue and Nordhoff Street.

"This is a great opportunity for our students to jump start their remediation," said Margaret Fieweger, CSUN's associate vice president for undergradaute studies. "Working with Valley allows us to offer a high-quality program for low student costs."

Under the terms of the partnership, first-time-entering freshmen will have an opportunity to complete part or all of their remediation requirements in mathematics or writing by taking courses offered by Valley College at CSUN. The courses will be offered July 6-August 13.

Students will not be required to pay the usual CSUN summer fees of $140 per unit, but instead will pay the community college's cost of $12 per unit. The writing course will be five units and the mathematics course will be six units. Many of the instructors taking part in the program teach at both Cal State Northridge and Valley College.

Students invited to take part in the program are eligible for a CSUN student identification card, and those who wish to visit Valley College after they register may obtain a Valley College student ID. The students will be eligible for library, computer labs and other services on both campuses.

University officials said the partnership with Valley College was developed in part as a response to the California State University system's Executive Order 665 which requires freshmen to complete remediation within their first year of enrollment.

More than 100 entering freshmen have signed up to take part in the new program. University officials said additional invitations are expected to go out later this month.

Cal State Northridge has about 27,000 full- and part-time students, offering 48 bachelor's and 39 master's degrees. Founded in 1958, CSUN is celebrating its 40th anniversary and is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley.