University of Redlands, Ersi partner for business program
The University of Redlands and the geographic information giant Esri have founded a joint business research group titled the Spatial Business Initiative (SBI). The project aims to fill the need for more research on locational intelligence, as well as to offer learning programs which will inform future industry leaders.
Dean of the Redlands school of business, Thomas Horan said in a press release that “with 80 percent of business data containing geographic information, location analytics delivers business insights – like never before,” and that the school is “thrilled to partner with Esri in this important initiative.”
Esri founder and president, Jack Dangermond also stated, “Esri is proud to be a part of this ground-breaking initiative. Education has always been an important part of our mission. The business world is increasingly relying on spatial data today to make better-informed decisions.”
The SBI, which is funded through a grant from Esri, will offer a new MBA which concentrates on location analytics beginning online fall 2018, then extending to the university’s main campus spring 2019.
To learn more about the initiative, visit redlands.edu/sbi. To learn more about Esri, visit esri.com.
2.5 millionth pound of trash cleaned from river
On Thursday, June 28, volunteers from the San Diego River Park Foundation (SDRPF) reached a milestone it has “mixed feelings” about when it removed the 2.5 millionth pound of trash from the San Diego riverbed since the group’s river clean-up program was founded in 2001.
“We are blown away and humbled by the dedication of the thousands of volunteers, donors and sponsors who contributed to this achievement,” said SDRPF associate director Sarah Hutmacher in a press release. “But the flip side of this incredible milestone is that there was that this staggering amount of trash needed to be removed.”
This year, hundreds of thousands of pounds of trash entered the river ecosystems, from sources including stormwater debris, litter, dumping and homeless encampments. According to surveys coordinated by the River Park Foundation in spring 2018, 82 percent of the trash in the riverbed is related to homeless encampments. In just the first six months of 2018, volunteers have already removed over 160,000 pounds of trash.
“This organization has been working for over 17 years to achieve a truly trash-free San Diego River,” said SDRPF president and CEO Rob Hutsel. “We still have a long ways to go to achieve this lofty goal, but with the increased partnerships and engagement of our community this year, we are more confident than ever that we will see this goal realized.”
This river cleanup program is supported by donations from the community, as well as sponsors and grantors including: The city of San Diego, The Dorrance Family Foundation, The Hervey Family Fund at The San Diego Foundation, REI, Patagonia, and Think Blue San Diego. To learn more or to volunteer, visit sandiegoriver.org.
SDCCD welcomes applicants for Promise program
San Diego Community College District has announced that the deadline for students to apply for its Promise program for the 2018-2019 academic year is Aug. 3. The program offers students the opportunity to attend one of SDCCD’s associated campuses tuition-free for two years.
To be eligible, applicants must have California residency, be a first-time student, enroll in at least 12 units, and complete this years FAFSA or DREAM Act application. All eligible applications will be accepted.
The school urges interested students to apply early so “they will have plenty of time to apply for admission at either City, Mesa, or Miramar colleges, meet with a counselor to develop their education plan, and take part in a campus Promise orientation before classes begin Aug. 20,” said SDCCD vice chancellor of student services, Lynn Neault, in a press release.
Students in the program have access to academic counseling, educational planning, and other services, as well as the opportunity to receive assistance for instructional materials provided through the program.
For more information, or to complete an application, visit sdccd.edu/promise.
Scholarships announced for San Diego students
The San Diego Foundation has announced more than $2.6 million in scholarships to 876 students pursuing higher education during the 2018-2019 school year. The scholarships are made possible through 143 unique funds established by donors through The Foundation’s Community Scholarship Program.
“As the cost of higher education rises, a significant deterrent to pursuing and finishing a degree is affordability,” explained Connie Matsui, interim chief executive officer at The San Diego Foundation, in a press release. “The San Diego Foundation Community Scholarship Program helps remove this barrier for San Diego youth and their families, enabling hundreds of students to achieve their educational goals every year.”
The San Diego Foundation Community Scholarship Program is the largest in the region outside of the university system, and provides a variety of scholarships to high school students, current college students, graduate students and adult re-entry students. Since 1997, the program has awarded more than $30.4 million to thousands of students. The Foundation offers scholarships that support a variety of career paths and backgrounds, including awards for those interested in careers in both STEM and the arts. Scholarships are awarded to students continuing their education at four-year universities, two-year colleges, graduate and trade/vocational schools.
For more information or donations, visit sdfoundation.org
New international arrivals terminal opens at SAN
On June 28, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, along with officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Turner|PCL Joint Venture, held a ribbon-cutting to mark the completion of a new 130,000-square-foot International Arrivals facility at San Diego International Airport’s Terminal 2. The new facility allows the airport to accommodate the increase in international passengers resulting from recently added overseas flights.
SAN has experienced significant growth in international arrivals in the past quarter-century — from about 50,000 passengers a year in the early 1990s to more than 400,000 in 2017. That number is expected to grow as more international nonstop flights are added.
“As airlines look to add to their international networks, it is vital we have adequate facilities readily available to compete and attract new air service,” said Airport Authority President/CEO Kimberly Becker in a press release. “With twice the number of international gates, the latest technologies, and an expanded baggage claim and passenger wait area, this new facility ensures we are equipped to provide a world-class experience for international passengers arriving into San Diego.”
The new facility improves the processing experience for passengers with reduced wait times and a more welcoming environment. It features the newest technologies from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“We are one of the first in the nation to implement 100 percent biometric or facial recognition technology for arriving international flights,” said Deputy Director of Field Operations for San Diego, Anne Maricich. “Not only will this simplify the arrival process, it is a critical step in our national security mission.”
The facility also features two integrated public artworks. “Paths Woven,” by artist Aaron T. Stephan, is a suspended artwork in the public waiting area that consists of 25 ladders representing the many individual journeys that converge at an airport. In baggage claim, visitors will see “Carry On” by artist Walter Hood, made up of 52 glass panels featuring more than 600 photos of unique, symbolic items contributed by members of the San Diego community and airport staff.
At 130,000 square feet, the new facility is five times larger than the previous facility. It also increases the number of international gates at the airport from three to six.
As of March 2018, SAN offers nonstop flights to and from six countries — Japan, Germany, Switzerland, the U.K., Mexico and Canada. The new international arrivals facility allows the airport to process passengers with greater ease and efficiency.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $229.4 million. The new facility will serve these airlines: British Airways, Edelweiss Air, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
For more information on the new International Arrivals facility, please visit san.org/Airport-Projects/FIS.
City seeks input on investments
The city of San Diego is preparing its new five-year consolidated plan for allocating funds provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The plan will determine how HUD funding will be directed through the fiscal years of 2020–2024.
Local officials are asking for input from residents and will host a series of forums throughout the city in July and August.
“Understanding the communities’ priorities is critical to ensure San Diego is leveraging federal funds for the maximum possible benefit,” Erik Caldwell, economic development director, said in a press release.
Programs to be discussed include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG); HOME Investment Partnerships Program; and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). More information about the policies can be found at sandiego.gov/cdbg.
For forum dates and locations, visit bit.ly/SDforums. A community-needs survey is also available at bit.ly/SDCPSurvey.
