Daily Business Report: July 20, 2023
Cal State recently forced to deal with
several sexual harassment accusations.
New report finds it repeatedly fell short
By Mikhail Zinshteyn | CalMatters
California State University must hire many more employees and overhaul huge portions of its bureaucracy to keep students and staff safe from sexual harassment and discrimination, according to a sweeping set of reports from an outside law group published on Monday.
The reports, a month late according to Cal State’s own timeline, were produced by the law firm Cozen O’Connor, which system leaders hired in March 2022 to assess how the Cal State central office and its 23 campuses follow federal law prohibiting gender and sex discrimination in schools, known as Title IX, as well the system’s own rules.
Cal State sought out Cozen as part of its response to a USA Today investigation showing that the system’s then-chancellor, Joseph I. Castro, mishandled claims that a vice president at Fresno State sexually harassed students and staff while Castro was president of the campus.
The allegations against Castro led to his resignation in February 2022. That followed a string of other allegations at campuses, which in some cases led to top officials resigning.
Photo: Presidents at CSU listen to public comments in Long Beach on May 23, 2023. (Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters)
July 27, 2022:
EdSource
A new L.A. Times investigation found that Cal State San Marcos agreed to keep findings of sexual harassment by two professors private. Read more
Aug. 10, 2021:
Voice of San Diego
Student who reported Cal State San Marcos professor says no one told her he kept his job.
County accepts $44.3 million in state funds for
housing people with behavioral health problems
The County Board of Supervisors has approved using $44.3 million in state Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program funds to provide more housing for San Diegans who have serious behavioral health conditions and are experiencing homelessness.
The funds will help address the need for board and care beds which are typically home-like settings for five or six adults or seniors who need some specialized care, but not in a hospital or clinical setting.
The action allocates $41.5 million for new board and care payments to supplement funds for Medi-Cal clients and help them meet escalating board and care rent costs. The remaining $2.8 million will be used for infrastructure start-up costs to speed up the creation of new beds.
After pleading guilty to criminal charge,
Ash Street broker now facing civil regulators
While the uninhabitable 101 Ash St. office tower continues to cost San Diego taxpayers more than $6,000 a day, the only person held criminally responsible for the deal is now facing a possible civil penalty: the loss of his California broker’s license.
According to a document issued by the Department of Real Estate, broker Jason Hughes is being accused of violating state business practices due to his conflicting roles as an adviser to the city and a partner in the original transaction.
“The underlying facts include but are not limited to respondent, an appointed city adviser, participating in the making of a contract with the city of San Diego in which he personally profited,” states the filing, which is formally called an accusation.
Latitude 33 Planning & Engineering
wins design award for county building
Latitude 33 Planning & Engineering was honored with a “Design Excellence and Innovation Award” at the 17th annual Design-Build Awards competition sponsored by the Design-Build Institute of America Western Pacific Region. The award was for the East San Diego County Assessor, Recorder and County Clerk Office and Archives Facility, the first net zero energy archive facility in the United States.
The 25,000-square-foot building combines several governmental and administrative departments in one locale, including property records, tax collecting, historical records, and civil wedding ceremonies, to name a few. Key features include a distinctive butterfly roof, a photovoltaic shade structure in the parking lot, and column-free interior spaces. Latitude 33 was involved in the site design, drainage and water quality design, utility design, fire access design, and infrastructure permitted through the County of San Diego, City of Santee, and Santee Fire Department.
Historic Whaling Bar
to resurface at La Valencia Hotel
By Dave Schwab | sdnews.com
Gone for a decade, plans have been announced for the return of the historic La Jolla Whaling Bar to La Valencia Hotel by the end of 2023 or early 2024.
The La Valencia is a Spanish-style hotel perched above La Jolla Cove at 1132 Prospect St. Nicknamed “The Pink Lady,” the hotel has been a landmark for the coastal neighborhood for nearly a century, after opening in December 1926.
An iconic nautical-themed cocktail lounge, the Whaling Bar opened in the “Pink Lady” about 20 years after its inception in 1949. It quickly became one of the most prominent spots in the county for star-studded events and notable regulars.
New restaurant tenants add flavor
to The Island at Carlsbad
The Island at Carlsbad adds Savory Grill, Allen’s NY Pizza, and The Breakfast Mug to the shopping center roster, increasing offerings for customers. Capstone Advisors, a diversified real estate investment, development and advisory firm, has a 27-year track record of creating strategic retail environments that enhance the customer experience and lead to long-term tenant success.
The restaurant additions will join other shopping center staples, including, J-Box, Croutons, El Cubano, Ocean Day Spa and Studio Barre Carlsbad, among others. Allen’s NY Pizza has recently made its debut, while Savory Grill is anticipated to open its doors in late summer 2023. Additionally, The Breakfast Mug is scheduled to launch in the upcoming months.
During the summer months, The Island at Carlsbad, located at 5814 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad, hosts live music events every Wednesday until Aug. 30 for Carlsbad residents to enjoy.
Scripps researchers to explore deep-sea
methane seeps in Alvin submersible
By Alex Fox
Scripps Institution of Oceanography professor emerita Lisa Levin is set to explore the poorly understood deep-sea ecosystems surrounding methane seeps off the coast of Southern California using the Alvin human-occupied submersible.
The 14-day National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded voyage aboard the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s R/V Atlantis departed July 16 to study where the methane emerging from these seeps goes and how far its biological sphere of influence extends.
Levin is the expedition’s chief scientist but shares principal investigator duties with a trio of other leading female deep-sea researchers: Victoria Orphan of CalTech, Shana Goffredio of Occidental College, and Tina Treude of UCLA.
Levin has completed more than 50 dives aboard the three-person Alvin and said that at this point the sub “feels like home.” Operated by WHOI and owned by the U.S. Navy, Alvin has been in operation since 1964 and has made immeasurable contributions to the study of the deep ocean over the course of more than 5,100 dives, including safely delivering the first human explorers to the sunken remains of the Titanic.
Rubber Stamp Champ introduces
stamps made from plastic bottles
SAN MARCOS — Rubber Stamp Champ is now offering a special line of self-inking rubber stamps made entirely from discarded plastic water bottles. These new rPET customizable stamps come in five sizes and are being produced by Rubber Stamp Champ supplier, Shiny America. Every discarded water bottle that goes into producing these unique products is a water bottle that doesn’t wind up in the ocean. Learn more
Ruben Diaz honored as Outstanding
Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
SAN DIEGO — San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) police officer Ruben Diaz was recently honored as San Diego’s Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. The coveted title marks the first time an officer from the SDCCD has received this honor. Moreover, it is the first time any officer hailing from a school district or college police department in San Diego County has received this award. Diaz joined the SDCCD Police Department in 2018 and was promoted to detective in 2022.
SDCCU offers Biz Kid$ Summer Series
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Credit Union is hosting SDCCU Biz Kid$ Summer Series events online to help engage kids during summer break. This series provides fun and interactive ways to learn about money and business. Topics include: My First Credit Card and Are You Financially Literate? These Biz Kid$ webinars will be held weekly on Wednesdays throughout the month of July. To register, visit sdccu.com/fww.
Library hosts special events for Comic-Con
SAN DIEGO – Comic-Con 2023 is on at the San Diego Public Library (SDPL) with a full week of programming both on and off the Convention Center floor. Comic fans can pick up a limited-edition SDPL library card, attend a superhero storytime, create their own comic book and fix any costume emergencies at the SDPL cosplay repair station. SDPL’s Central Library in Downtown will also host several days of panels discussing the role comics play in promoting education and literacy.
Copper Kings Burgers finds home in San Marcos
SAN MARCOS — Copper Kings Burgers, known for their smash burgers, is preparing to open its first brick-and-mortar location in San Marcos in early October. Originally planning to open a whiskey bar, the founders pivoted to a burger operation due to the pandemic. Their mobile kitchen has been a hit across North County, setting up at breweries and taprooms on weekends. Customers can enjoy a variety of burger options with homemade sauces and Japanese milk buns. For their schedule and online orders, visit copperkingsburgers.com
QCI and iPost partnership engages
with eight prominent casino resorts
SAN DIEGO — Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) and iPost’s strategic partnership is off to a strong start, already engaging with eight prominent casino resorts. QCI, a leading generative AI enterprise integration platform company in the resort industry, and iPost, a premier email marketing, SMS, and automation provider in the North American gaming industry, are excited to announce their collaborative efforts. The synergy of iPost’s advanced email delivery capabilities and QCI’s AGI-powered enterprise platform services offers a heightened digital communication experience for the gaming and resort industry.
Velia appoints Dr. John McHutchison
as president and chief executive officer
SAN DIEGO — Velia Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering the therapeutic potential within the dark matter of the human proteome, announced the appointment of industry leader John McHutchison, M.D., as president and chief executive officer. McHutchison will work alongside Velia’s Chief Scientific Officer Shelly Meeusen and her scientific team as they deploy Velia’s state-of-the-art discovery platform to identify and uncover the therapeutic potential of novel microproteins.
DermTech announces favorable
coverage policy with Blues plan
SAN DIEGO — DermTech Inc., a leader in precision dermatology enabled by a non-invasive skin genomics technology, announced a favorable coverage policy with a Blues plan in Michigan. The favorable coverage policy, which is in addition to a contract that became effective in August 2022, enhances access to the foundational assay of the DermTech Melanoma Test (DMT) for the approximately 4.5 million members of this plan.
Del Mar Horsepark opened
for first show in four years
DEL MAR — Del Mar Horsepark is buzzing with activity after its reopening for the Del Mar Sunshine Classic, the first show in almost four years. HITS, the new operator, oversaw a multimillion-dollar renovation adding state-of-the-art footing, larger stalls, VIP seating, a café, and updated restrooms. The new footing technology impressed riders and promises safer conditions for their horses. For more information, visit hitsdelmar.com.
San Diego regional policy group
adds new board members and chair
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center (PIC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping solve the region’s biggest problems, announced the addition of former U.S. Congressperson Susan A. Davis and longtime community leader Michel Anderson to its board of directors. Ben Haddad has assumed the role of board chair, replacing P. Kay Coleman, president and CEO of Del Mar Venture Group, who will continue to serve as PIC’s chair emeritus.
Normal Heights Community
Resource Fair set for Aug. 12
The Normal Heights Community Association will host the annual Community Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Normal Heights Community Center, 4649 Hawley Blvd. Learn about volunteer opportunities, and connect with organizations that provide free/low-cost resources like food assistance, mental health care, house assistance, education, electric bikes, health care, recreation, and more.
SDSU fraternity and sorority
life receives a major boost
San Diego State University’s Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity has announced a $3 million endowment from alumnus Frederick W. Pierce IV (’84, ’88) and Christine F. Pierce to enhance and help sustain fraternity and sorority life at SDSU.
The gift will establish the Pierce Greek Life Center (PGLC), designed to serve as a locus for extending leadership skill development and access to fraternity and sorority life to a broader range of students.
