Ahhh, at last…it’s finally summer! We worked so hard all year long, and for some of us, the only thing that kept us going were the daydreams we had about summer break and exciting activities like swimming, traveling and barbecues that we all knew would be fast approaching at the end of the tunnel.

Unfortunately, not everything goes as planned, and some of us are stuck at CSUN, repeating courses or trying to move ahead in our studies. Summer school is not what some students envisioned themselves doing throughout June, July and August, but it seems as if most students and faculty are making the best of it.

The campus vibe is noticeably different than it is during the regular fall and spring semesters. There’s not the familiar sound of hustle and bustle we are used to hearing. In fact, when you walk outside you can actually hear the sounds of birds chirping and squirrels running across campus grounds because it’s so quiet.

I have to say it’s a nice change of pace. I no longer find myself eavesdropping on everyone’s loud cell phone conversations as I walk through the halls. No more students running like herds of cattle, pushing and shoving their way through the walkways. You don’t seem to find that here. We are all in that relaxed, take-your-time-and-relax summer spirit.

Although taking summer school is rarely fun, it does have many advantages. No more crowded halls or long food lines. And the faculty seems to have more time to help out their students. Best of all, you don’t have to endlessly drive around a parking lot to fight for the last open parking stall.

But even though it’s summer, parking enforcement will not be on vacation. In fact, they will be working overtime to ensure that a parking pass accompanies all vehicles parked in the student lots. Parking officials will be ticketing not only vehicles without passes, but cars that are parked on the streets past the allotted time as well.

So be careful. Parking tickets are now $60, and towing fees are $175. Parking officials have changed their hours of operation from part time to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This change results in students no longer being able to get away with the occasional “illegal” pass-less parking, and chances are you’ll get caught.

And here’s the good news: This new 24 hours a day thing carries over into the regular school year.

Although most hours of operation are limited on campus, all facilities will remain open throughout the summer.

Students will not have to starve, as many on-campus eateries, such as Subway, Burger King and Jamba Juice, will remain open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Matador Bookstore hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Oviatt Library will be open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m..

Admissions and Records, Financial Aid and University Cash Services will be open Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 a.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Whether you are joining the faculty and spending your summer days basking in the sun, or if you are not quite sure about taking a course at CSUN over the summer, my advice is to take the opportunity to come now while the weather is great, the noise is minimal, parking is accessible and the ambiance at CSUN is better than ever.