LUCERNE, Calif. – Lake County's first university campus is gearing up to open its doors to students this fall.

Marymount California University reported that it is ready to enroll students for the fall semester – which begins this August – at the Lakeside Campus, located at the Lucerne Hotel or “the Castle” as it's commonly known.

Marymount also has campuses in Southern California in Rancho Palos Verdes and San Pedro.

Kelly Curtis Intagliata, the university's chief public relations and marketing officer, said students may select courses leading to a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.

The undergraduate programs include a bachelor of arts in business or a liberal arts bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in business and psychology, she said.

For those students wanting to earn a master’s degree, graduate programs include a master of science in community psychology, a master of science in leadership and global development, or a master of business administration, according to Curtis Intagliata.

Meanwhile, the historic building's transformation into an educational center is expected to be completed by this summer.

The county of Lake, which purchased the building in 2010, entered into a 15-year lease agreement with Marymount in 2012, with the agreement giving the university the option to purchase the building outright, as Lake County News has reported.

As part of that lease – which was updated in December – the county must prepare four classrooms and must address Americans with Disabilities Act compliance issues, including the installation of an elevator in the eight-decade-old building.

The update to the lease dropped the requirement for a fifth classroom and instead allows the county to spend the money on making the parking lot ADA-compliant.

Deputy County Administrative Officer Alan Flora told Lake County News on Wednesday that the county expects to have fully completed its responsibilities before July 1.

At its Jan. 14 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved the bid process, plans and specifications for the building's biggest ticket item, the four-stop elevator needed to meet ADA rules.

Flora said the elevator bids are now open and are due Feb. 3. He said county staff plans to schedule the award of the contract for the supervisors' meeting on Feb. 4.

The elevator contract will require completion by June 13, Flora said.

Prospective students interested in completing their bachelor’s degree – after finishing the freshman and sophomore years of college – or starting a master’s degree can receive information about course schedules and financial aid by contacting Marymount California University at 888-991-5253 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.