Daily Business Report — June 22, 2010

Drastic Cuts Made in Community College Course Offerings

Close to 5,000 students have been left on the waiting list for summer enrollment in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District because of a 50 percent cutback in summer offerings, district officials announced. The cutbacks were made necessary because of the state budget crisis and were made despite an increased demand for classes. Officials said that additional course sections will have to be cut from both the fall and spring semesters this year.

In a report to the governing board at its June meeting, Grossmont College President Sunita “Sunny” Cooke and Cuyamaca College Vice President of Administrative Services Arleen Satele told trustees the focus is now on the core priorities of the community college mission: transfer and degree courses, workforce education, and basic skills. The colleges can no longer offer personal enrichment courses, they said.

The number of students that can be served is drastically limited. Over 4,900 students were placed on waiting lists this summer, coming  just as the California State Universities and University of California system have reduced their enrollments and increased tuition, causing greater numbers of students to choose community colleges.

Both Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges have reduced the frequency of electives, are offering fewer sections of required courses, and cut almost all noncredit courses with the exception of English as a Second Language and workforce training courses. Where possible, noncredit courses have been converted to fee-based and contract education courses.

Cooke said the colleges find themselves at a point where choices are the best of bad choices. She said future cuts will require the district to consider cuts in general education, the frequency of required course offerings within degree and certificate programs and even discontinuing certain certificate and degree programs entirely.

“Our choices attempt to keep the door open for students to move toward their educational and career goals, although we know they will do so more slowly than before. We don’t walk away feeling good about this,” said Cooke.

Satele said students find it increasingly hard to finish degree programs or meet transfer program requirements in a reasonable time. Many students are working full time and raising families, and struggle to get the more limited remaining courses into their schedules. More students are competing for fewer slots within fewer sections. As a result, many students must wait to take a required course.

Among the unintended consequences to students is the threat of losing financial aid. Students that must maintain full-time status to receive financial aid such as veterans attending college under the new G.I. Bill and Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) students are in danger of being unable to do so and risk having all funding cut. In addition, some programs such as the G.I. Bill require students to finish their program of study within a limited period of time. Veterans who cannot access courses quickly enough risk their funding running out before they can meet their degree or transfer requirements.

First Business Bank to Open New Downtown Office

First Business Bank, which is changing its name to Bank of Southern California, effective June 28, will open a new office in July to serve the business and professional markets of Downtown San Diego. “The new office will serve the needs of growing Downtown businesses that desire the more customized and consultative banking approach that our bank provides,” said Nathan Rogge, president and CEO. “The office is part of our long-term plan to continue to expand the bank’s footprint within San Diego County and beyond.”

The new office will be at 1620 Fifth Ave., Suite 120. It will be managed by Katherine Willey, who joined the bank as a senior vice president for business development earlier this year. The bank, which has offices in Del Mar, Carlsbad and Ramona, lists $124.5 million in assets as of March 31, 2010.

BB&T Insurance Services Hires Employee Benefits Consultant

Dave Beech has joined the San Diego-based division of BB&T Insurance Services of California as an employee benefits consultant. Beech has more than 25 years of experience in health care and benefit consulting working for such firms such as Deloitte Touche, Foster Higgins and Watson Wyatt. Prior to joining BB&T, he was affiliated with EPIC Partners and assisted in developing its benefit consulting practice.

Beech has been a keynote speaker at numerous national health care conferences addressing current trends in health care and onsite health clinics.  He has also been an expert contributor covering onsite health initiatives and clinics in articles appearing in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Washington Post. Beech holds a bachelor’s degree from UCLA, a bachelor’s degree of in accounting and a master’s degree in finance, both from the University of Minnesota. Beech is also a CPA.

Contracting Opportunities Center Receives Grant of $86,400

The city of San Diego’s Community Development Block Grant program has provided $86,400 in new funding to Southwestern College for its San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center. The money will allow the center to help San Diego’s small business clients secure contracting opportunities with local, state and federal government agencies at no cost. This year, clients of the college’s SDCOC attributed more than $68 million in awards to the center’s assistance and services. The awards created more than 1,300 jobs in the region, according to government figures.  Additionally, more than 80 percent of those contract dollars were awarded to local female-owned, minority-owned and disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

City Water Reduction Campaign Wins Achievement Award

The city of San Diego’s “No Time to Waste, No Water to Waste” water conservation pubic outreach campaign has been named winner of the 2009 Public Communications Achievement Award by the American Water Works Association. The campaign was created by a team consisting of Mayor Jerry Sanders’ office, the city’s Public Utilities Department and a consultant, Collaborative Services, to address San Diego’s ongoing Level 2 drought alert, which requires mandatory water-use restrictions. The campaign is featured extensively on bus and trolley wraps, billboards, banners, signage, the City’s Website and television and radio public service announcements. featuring the Mayor’s call to action for residents to conserve water.

Shea Homes Has Clover Section Construction Under Way

Construction is under way on Shea Homes’ Phase 8 at Clover at Windingwalk in Chula Vista and the project is expected to be completed in time for September move-ins. Three of the eight homes in the phase remain available for sale. Prices range from the mid $300,000s for the two- and three-story condominium homes adjacent to the neighborhood’s pool and spa.The four-plex condominium homes at Clover span 1,579 to 1,891 square feet and have two to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms and two-car garages.

SCORE San Diego Small Business Workshops

• June 23 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).

• June 23 – Financing Your Business – Carlsbad – 9:30 a.m. to noon at National University (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door)

• June 23 – Good Governance for Nonprofits – 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation – Liberty Station (2508 Historic Decatur Road, #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).

• June 24 – Small Business Marketing – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• June 25 – Insurance: What You Need to Know to Protect You and Your Business – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to noon at National University (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• June 26 – Internet Marketing 304: Cost-Effective Internet Marketing Tools – 9 a.m. to noon at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• June 29 – Internet Marketing 303: Social Media for Small Businesses – 9 a.m. to noon at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• June 30 – QuickBooks Basic – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

For more information on the workshops, call (619) 557-7272.

The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. (619) 906-4104.