Daily Business Report: Nov. 17, 2023
UC regents tackle free speech, safety
concerns amid Israel-Palestine conflict
By Mikhail Zinshteyn | CalMatters
In the past few weeks, the White House, California’s governor and the state’s public university chiefs have all condemned the antisemitism and Islamophobia that have besieged college campuses ever since Hamas militants attacked Israel Oct. 7 and Israel’s military responded with a bombing campaign of Gaza.
On Wednesday, the top leaders at the University of California convened at the planned UC regents meeting and outlined a series of calls to action to fight that onslaught of intolerance, including shifting $7 million to fund three endeavors:
• $3 million for emergency mental health for students and staff;
• $2 million for programs “focused on better understanding antisemitism and Islamophobia and how to recognize and combat extremism”, said UC President Michael Drake;
• $2 million to “to train our own leadership, staff, and faculty who are seeking guidance on how to navigate their roles as educators in this space,” Drake said.
The UC president laid two more broad initiatives. He called on his top deputy on campus security to meet with campus safety chiefs “to ensure that we are responding appropriately to incidents of violence on our campuses.” Next, Drake said that the system will debut a new office of civil rights this spring, work that began last year. This umbrella office will house the staff that work on sexual violence and include two new offices, one to address discrimination and another dedicated to the rights of students with disabilities.
Photo: Hillel, a campus religious group, hosts a rally calling for the release of kidnapped Israelis at UCLA’s Wilson Plaza in Los Angeles on Nov. 7, 2023. A Shabbat table with place settings represents the seats of those who have been kidnapped by Hamas. (Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters)
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From tobacco to alcohol to opioids, researchers are pursuing
novel leads and promising therapies to treat addiction
Tens of millions of Americans are addicted to illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and other substances including opioids, with both immediate and long-term harm to not just themselves, but also family, friends and society.
At the same time, many of those affected deny or hide their addictions. Most do not seek help. A 2021 national survey on drug use and health by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration , for example, found that 94 percent of people aged 12 or older with a substance use disorder did not receive any treatment. Nearly all of them thought they did not require it.
In recent months, researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys in San Diego have earned a series of federal grants and awards, totaling almost $25 million, to advance research — including clinical trials — that may turn the rising tide and toll of addiction.
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CSUSM requests help from business community
The College of Business Administration at Cal State San Marcos is launching the North County Business Confidence Index, seeking your input. Conducted biannually, this study mirrors programs at the University of Colorado and the University of Alabama, surveying the business community on local and national economic perspectives, sales, profits, and hiring expectations.
With surveys planned for fall and spring, results will be shared with the media and partners. As a thank you, participants stand a chance to win one of four $50 Amazon gift cards through a random drawing. Your insights contribute to a comprehensive understanding of regional business confidence.
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| Developer proposes 400 apartments for seniors near Oceanside transit station The Oceanside Trolley Place project envisions 400 affordable senior apartments near the College Boulevard Sprinter station, transitioning from a previous plan for single-family homes. Proposed as “smart growth” in a transit-friendly area, it exceeds parking minimums due to proximity to public transit. Aiming for phased construction on 5.8 acres, the development aligns with SANDAG’s density goals. |
Notably, the North County Transit District is actively seeking developers for housing and commercial projects at its Coaster and Sprinter stations, contributing to the broader initiative of transit-oriented developments in the region. Approval for this and other developments hinges on city planners’ review.
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Vista approves 183-unit transit-friendly Kensho residential
The Vista City Council unanimously approved a 183-unit residential project proposed for a mostly vacant lot west of the railroad tracks and across the road from the new Found Lofts project by the same developer, Tideline Partners.
Known as the Kensho Residential Project, the development off Guajome Street at the edge of the downtown district was brought to the Vista City Council after being rubber-stampted by the planning commission.
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U.S. Department of State recognizes MiraCosta
College as one of the ‘Gilman Top Producers’
MiraCosta College announced that it has been recognized by the U.S. Department of State as one of the “Gilman Top Producers,” which is awarded to the 13 colleges and universities that contributed the highest number of recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year, allowing American students with limited financial means to study or intern abroad.
San Diego MTS CEO takes chair of California Transit Association
The California Transit Association announced the appointment of Sharon Cooney, CEO of San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), as 33rd chair of the Executive Committee. Cooney succeeds Karen King, CEO of Golden Empire Transit District in Bakersfield. A dedicated member of the association’s Executive Committee, Cooney previously served as vice chair of the Executive Committee during the 2021-2023 term.
Study finds people with inflammatory
arthritis face psychological challenges
Research from Hospital for Special Surgery reveals a significant psychological impact related to inflammatory arthritis patients’ efforts to maintain employment while coping with the challenges of their illess. The study, titled “The Psychological Experience of Work for People with Inflammatory Arthritis (IA),” was presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2023 on Nov. 13 in San Diego.
Athletic Brewing Company donates $1.6 million
to preserve outdoor spaces in 2023
Athletic Brewing Company, which has custom breweries in San Diego and Milford, Conn., announced that more than 200 recipients have received more than $1.6 million as part of its Two For the Trails grant program in 2023. To date, the program has awarded nearly 400 grants totaling $4.3 million and helped to fund over 500 projects in 43 U.S. states, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
For first time in 26 years, a De Brazza’s
monkey is born at the San Diego Zoo
There is a new, tiny face at the San Diego Zoo. A De Brazza’s monkey was born Oct. 28 to parents Lillie and Augustus, and it is the first De Brazza’s monkey born at the Zoo in 26 years. The little primate, whose gender has not yet been determined, can be seen holding tightly to its very attentive mother’s chest while they bond. In the next few weeks, the infant is expected to start walking and climbing. It will stay close to its mother until it is weaned, at around 1 year old.
Northrop Grumman extends lease at Spectrum Corporate Center
Drawbridge Realty, an investor in operationally important corporate facilities nationwide, has renewed Northrop Grumman’s full-campus lease at Spectrum Corporate Center in San Diego. Northrop Grumman, a leading global aerospace and defense technology company, has been the only occupant of the 182,870-square-foot, three-building campus since it was constructed in 2005. Spectrum Corporate Center is located in Kearny Mesa. JLL represented both the landlord and tenant.
City of San Diego rolls out Safe Sidewalks Program
As part of a citywide effort to improve sidewalks in all communities, the City of San Diego is investing resources to fix uneven and damaged sidewalks, while also making it easier for people to make repairs in front of their private property. Launching this year, the Safe Sidewalks Program will waive costly permit fees and help expedite the process for property owners to make needed sidewalk repairs, saving up to $2,100 per project.
SANDAG advances safer streets initiative
SANDAG has officially kicked off the development of the first Regional Vision Zero Action Plan, which will encompass 19 jurisdictions, 17 federally recognized tribes, and more than 3.3 million people in the San Diego region. The data-driven plan, modeled on national and international best practices, will pinpoint high-risk areas for traffic fatalities and serious injuries in our region. Globally, Vision Zero challenges the belief that traffic crashes are inevitable and instead views them as preventable.
Robolink awarded drone implementation contract
San Diego-based Robolink was recently awarded an island-wide drone implementation contract from the American Samoa Department of Education, reaching 5,000 4th to 8th grade students in 29 schools. The initial rollout includes thousands of Robolink kits along with a comprehensive hands-on professional development training program to onboard teachers and ensure a seamless integration with American Samoa curricula. Robolink uses proprietary technology to create engaging and interactive kits that teach coding and engineering in the classroom and the competitive arena.
eSUB announces new integration with QuickBooks Online
eSUB Construction Software, a leading provider of subcontractor-focused construction management software, announced that its cloud-based project platform, eSUB Cloud, will offer an integration with QuickBooks Online from Intuit. The integration offers enhanced efficiency by eliminating the need for manual data entry and streamlining timecards and financial data. It also ensures improved accuracy by minimizing errors due to duplicate entry of information from other sources, leading to more reliable financial reports.
