Chapman University makes move to Placer County campus

Chapman University students living in Placer County will notice a drastic cut in commute time, as the private college has relocated from its Sacramento campus to a new facility in Roseville.The grand opening of Chapman's Roseville site was celebrated Friday morning with a ribbon cutting and casual tours to let students and the community know it's open for education now. Classes began this weekend at the new facility.With more than 20,000 square feet of classrooms, offices, conference rooms and computer labs, the new facility is more than twice the size of the old Sacramento site and should accommodate more than 1,000 Chapman students and staff who made the move, according to Patricia Hammer, campus director. "We have a beautiful new facility that we didn't have before," Hammer said. "We've wanted to move to Roseville because of all the growth. We're expecting to increase our numbers and programs."Chapman University is a private college that offers working adults a variety of bachelor's and master's degree programs in a variety of fields. The new location at 3001 Lava Ridge Court is one of 27 corporate campuses scattered throughout California and Washington."It's much nicer, much larger, better equipped and it's going to be nice to teach here," said Chuck Baker, a part-time faculty member.Vera Marez, of Roseville, recently received her master's degree in psychology from Chapman. "I wish they would have had this campus sooner," she said.Marez is happy to see the move to Roseville, even if she didn't get to take advantage of a closer campus as a student."I think it really provides an opportunity for people who work in the area," she said. "I think it will really afford people to take classes in the evenings." Chapman administrators were on campus Friday to celebrate the opening. Jay Warner, director of administrative operations, said the move to Roseville was based on several factors, including the need for more space and Roseville's booming population. Other tenants are filling space in the building as well, including tenants who move in downstairs from Chapman in the next few days."The building will be full of life next week," Warner said. Rocky Rockholm, Roseville mayor pro tem, said bringing higher education to Roseville has been a city council goal for years."We didn't have anything to do with it, but we're glad you're here," Rockholm told Chapman representatives Friday. Lincoln Mayor Tom Cosgrove, representing Assemblyman Tim Leslie, R-Tahoe City, attended Friday's grand opening. Juanita Lamarche is working on a bachelor's degree in psychology and said she's excited to begin taking classes at the new Chapman campus. "Oh, I love this building, it's beautiful," she said. "Nice and new and pretty." Lamarche lives near the old Howe Avenue facility and has begun looking at apartments in Roseville. "I think we're going to get a lot more students from this area since it's a growing area," she said.Loryll Nicolaisen can be reached at lorylln@goldcountrymedia.com.