Daily Business Report: Aug. 14, 2023
Why Cal State is pushing back on community
colleges’ plans to offer bachelor’s degrees
By Adam Echelman | CalMatters
For over a year, the California Community College and the California State University systems have clashed over their respective roles.
The focus of the dispute: Who should be granting bachelor’s degrees?
The Cal State Chancellor’s Office says many community colleges are stepping outside their bounds by proposing bachelor’s programs that duplicate what Cal State campuses already offer. Community colleges disagree.
(In the San Diego Community College District, Mesa College offers a Health Information Management bachelor’s degree, City Collet offers a bachelor’s degree in Cyber Defense and Analysis, and Miramar College is seeking a bachelor’s degree program in Public Safety Management.)
The issue goes to the core missions of these higher education systems and the boundaries that the state set for them back in 1960.
That’s when California’s Master Plan for Higher Education laid out the roles for each system. For the state’s community colleges, the plan says they were designed to award two-year associate degrees and provide career training, while the Cal State system would offer four-year bachelor’s and master’s degrees and the University of California system would prioritize research and doctoral programs.
Now a new law allows the community college system to approve up to 30 new bachelor’s degree programs each year at any one of the state’s 116 community colleges.
The law, which went into effect last year, has a caveat: Community colleges can only offer bachelor’s degrees in unique fields that no other public four-year campus currently offers. It’s this caveat that is at the root of recent conflicts.
Photo: San Diego Mesa College’s Social and Behavioral Sciences Building. (Credit: Joseph Wong Design Associates)
U.S. Navy combs through destroyer
fleet for life-extension candidates
The Maritime Executive
The U.S. Navy is high-grading its destroyer fleet by carefully assessing the condition of each ship and selecting only the best hulls for a four- or five-year service life extension and upgrade package. The plan is a retreat from a 2018 proposal to extend the life of every destroyer, and represents a new focus on demonstrating value for money. The example of the cruiser USS Vicksburg – which was nearly finished with a $300 million life extension when the Navy proposed to decommission her – has focused attention on investing limited funds where they will get the most effect.
First-in-class USS Arleigh Burke was the first selected for a five-year service life extension in March, and the upgrades will carry her through until 2031.
Four more ships have now been added to the list: USS Mitscher will serve until 2034, USS Ramage and USS Milius until 2035, and USS Benfold will serve until 2036. The duration of the extensions for Mitscher and Milius is just four years because of their drydocking schedule, which would require a year in drydock to make it to the end of a five-year extension.
SEC to probe Illumina multibillion-dollar acquisition of Grail
Fierce Biotech
The Securities and Exchange Commission has begun its own investigation into Illumina’s ill-fated acquisition of Grail—a multibillion-dollar quest first launched nearly three years ago, which has embroiled the DNA sequencing giant in battles with antitrust regulators on both sides of the Atlantic, in addition to racking up multimillion-dollar fines and spurring a shareholder fight that ultimately toppled the company’s leadership.
Port of San Diego to use nation’s first all-electric tugboat
On the heels of installing North America’s first pair of all-electric cranes, the Port of San Diego will be home to the nation’s first electric tugboat. Arriving early next year, the tugboat will eliminate more than 30,000 gallons of yearly diesel fuel consumption — reducint diesel-related air pollution in Barrio Logan and National City portside cities.
Design underway for MiraCosta College construction projects
The desin process is underway to create a new Communications Hub building and cohesive space for the Social Justice and Equity Centers inside the Student Center (Building 3400) and Building 3700 at MiraCosta College.
The $54.3 million project will consist of renovating buildings 3400 and 3700 and replacing four aging buildings, 3000, 3100, 3200, and 3300. The scope will include classroom, office, study, and student group collaboration spaces.
Gensler and Rudolph and Sletten lead the project as a design-build partnership. The design is expected to be submitted to the Division of the State Architect (DSA) for approval in Spring 2024. Construction could begin as early as Fall 2024.
Mark Arabo appointed to San Diego County Fair Board
Mark Arabo, of San Diego, has been appointed to the 22nd District Agricultural Association, San Diego County Fair Board of Directors by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Arabo has been president and chief executive officer of Refined Management since 2015.
He was president and chief executive officer of the Neighborhood Market Association from 2008 to 2015 and a member of the Marketing and Sales Team for Anheuser-Busch from 2004 to 2006.
Arabo served on the California Workforce Development Board from 2019 to 2023. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Arabo is a Democrat.
Inaugural 3D Printing for Lighting Conference
SAN DIEGO —The 3D Printing for Lighting Conference, to be held as part of SPIE Optics+Photonics 2023, is scheduled for Aug. 22-23 at the San Diego Convention Center. Over the course of two days, experts from both lighting and 3D printing/additive manufacturing industries will present technology overviews, experiences, and detailed research regarding 3D printing methods, materials, and testing for lighting systems and optical, electronic, and thermomechanical components.
City of San Diego empowers young people through paid internships
SAN DIEGO —The City of San Diego is celebrating the completion of its first-ever Summer Civic Internship program aimed at helping the next generation of workers make a meaningful impact on the community. Through the intensive eight-week program, which started on June 21, 125 interns gained valuable professional experience and were introduced to public service as a career option. The Internship program is part of the city’s Employ & Empower workforce training initiative launched by Mayor Todd Gloria in 2022. To date, the city hired more than 500 interns, with a two-year goal of employing 1,000 young adults.
Postcards go out to registered voters in Chula Vista for special election
CHULA VISTA — Nearly 170,000 postcards are on their way to registered voters in the City of Chula Vista listing their voting options for the Nov. 7 special election. Voters will cast ballots on who should fill the vacant seat for city attorney. The person elected will serve the remainder of the current term ending in December 2026. Only those who live in the City of Chula Vista can vote in the election. Registered voters in the City of Chula Vista will receive a ballot in the mail the week of Oct. 8. The official ballot packet will also include an “I Voted” sticker, voting instructions and other important election information.
Arthros secures $75 million in Series D funding
SAN DIEGO— Led by Hong Kong investment group Guangrun Health Industry Co. Ltd., San Diego-based Arthrosi Therapeutics raised $75 million in VC following encouraging clinical trial data for its chronic gout therapeutics. Athrosi will use this financing and continued partnership with Asia-based pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the development of its therapy in the West and in Asia.
Poseida Therapeutics receives $50 million Astellas investment
SAN DIEGO — Japanese pharma firm Astellas is taking a stake in San Diego-based Poseida Therapeutics for $50 million to get a first shot at a solid tumor CAR-T cell therapy. But elsewhere, Poseida’s pipeline is facing delays and a regrouping after Takeda walked away from a gene therapy partnership. Astellas will put up the $50 million in exchange for an 8.8 percent stake in Poseida, a biotech working on cell and gene therapies for cancer and rare diseases. The subject of the deal is P-MUC1C-ALLO1, an allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy that Poseida is developing for solid tumors
Cetera announces close of its acquisition of Securian Financial group
SAN DIEGO — Cetera Financial Group announced the completion of its its acquisition of the retail wealth and trust business of Securian Financial Group Inc. More than 91 percent of the invited financial professionals, representing nearly $50 billion in client assets, made the choice to join Cetera, which is in line with Cetera’s transition projections. The financial professionals and their teams are now a distinct community, branded as Cetera Wealth Management Group, within Cetera Advisor Networks (CAN).
La Mesa Chamber sets Salute to Local Heroes for Oct. 5
EL CAJON — The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces their 14th annual Salute to Local Heroes, which will incorporate the theme:“Lights! Camera! Celebrate!” This night celebrates local heroes, recognizes the incoming Chamber Board of Directors, includes a silent auction, raffles and more. The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m. at the Sycuan Casino Resort in the Heritage Ballroom, located at 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon. This event celebrates the strength of the community and honors local heroes that serve and make sacrifices daily for those within the community.
Public Workshop Sept. 9 on Ocean Beach Renewal Project
POINT LOMA —The third in a series of public workshops on the Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project will be held Saturday, Sept. 9 from 2-5 p.m. at Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road. Presentation of designs will be held at 2 p.m., followed by a community workshop. During the workshop on Sept. 9, the design team will present three design alternatives for a new Ocean Beach Pier based on what’s been heard from the community so far. But before then, the project team would like to get your input by taking the survey at OBPierRenewal.com to tell what you’d like to see in your ideal OB Pier.
Cuban Sandwich Day at Havana 1920 Cuban restaurant
SAN DIEGO — Havana 1920 Cuban restaurant at 548 Fifth Ave. will honor its award-winning Cubano with an exclusive offering. Guests who purchase a Cubano will receive a second complimentary sandwich, available exclusively in celebration of National Cubano Day on Wednesday, Aug. 23. Havana 1920’s Cubano is made with slices of slow-roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard sandwiched in between slices of authentic Cuban bread that is flown in from Tampa, Florida. More information at havana1920.com.
SANDAG seeks Audit Committee applicants
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Association of Governments, the region’s transportation planning agency, is seeking three public members and potential alternates to serve on the SANDAG Audit Committee. Members of the public who have at least 10 years of experience as a certified public accountant, a certified internal auditor, or 10 years of other professional accounting, auditing, financial, or legal experience in audit management are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, Aug. 15. For more information visit SANDAG.org/audit.
