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& Cal Poly Pomonathe Community Vol. 1, No. 3 | SPRING/SUMMER 2000 www.csupomona.edu focus Resource A Natural Creating Campus Inland Empire Economic Partnership Seeks University Expertise in Compiling Area Forecast Connections By Charles Bentley Connectivity is an important factor in our modern world. Whether dealing with BUSINESS IS GREAT THESE DAYS IN THE INLAND EMPIRE. WITH TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN THE SAN BERNARDINO/RIVERSIDE COUNTY AREA AT RECORD business, government, education or family levels and projections of over 1 million people working in the region by year’s end, this is a time of exceptional fiscal fitness. and friends, the ability to create and main- All this comes as no surprise to the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP), which promotes itself as a resource to estab- tain connections has become vital in our lished businesses as well as those companies looking to relocate to the area. IEEP’s primary task is to know and understand the day-to-day lives. local business climate. We at Cal Poly Pomona understand the Offering it up in a concise, clear manner, however, is not easy. need to build strong links. As one of 23 “It’s always difficult for us to explain to specific individuals what the benefits here are,” says Meredith Maloney, IEEP vice presi- regional California State University cam- dent of administration and operations. “The problem is the ideas can sometimes seem abstract. It makes for a very hard sell.” puses, our mission is to advance learning With that in mind, it made good business sense for the IEEP to seek out its own resource. So it approached Cal Poly Pomona and knowledge by linking theory and prac- to learn how the university could help create and compile a regional economic forecast for the Inland Empire. tice in all disciplines as well as preparing Under the direction of economics professor Mohammad Safarzadeh, three students—undergraduates Vera Fleischer, Michael Shi students for lifelong learning, leadership and careers in a changing multicultural and first-year grad student Patrick Flynn—are striving to give IEEP the hard data companies and industries will understand. world. None of this is possible without “When business is moving to a particular region and there is investment in that region, what is the impact of that investment forging strong connections to aid in the and the spending of that business on other area businesses? Is there a spillover effect?” asks Safarzadeh, laying out the idea educational process. behind the project. “Even a small barbershop in the region, how it might be affected by such a move. It’s what they call the multi- Yet it is also important that we create plier impact of spending in a certain region.” and sustain contacts between our universi- Such spending creates a ripple effect, offering existing businesses a chance to realize further opportunities. ty and surrounding communities. We want “We will be able to show just what that addition means in terms of dollars and jobs to the retail, manufacturing, service and housing local businesses, governments, school dis- industries,” says Maloney. “Because there are so many variables involved, it’s difficult to come up with concise numbers. This kind of tricts and residents to view Cal Poly report will give us an edge, allowing us to explain concepts that aren’t always that easy to understand.” Pomona as an accessible resource. This partnership of business and education makes perfect sense. The university wants Whether it’s combining to form a working to be seen as a resource to the community, available to offer assistance to local coalition, creating programs to benefit businesses, governments, communities and individuals. regional interests or simply providing infor- “This helps us in the goal of extending ourselves into the local and inter- mation whenever it’s needed, our desire is to be there to support our neighbors. national community,” says economics department chair Maureen Burton. “It is We believe this publication, Panorama, part of our continuing efforts for community outreach, something that is presents such a connection. Within these part of our department’s strategic plan as well as the strategic plan of pages can be found information, advice, the university.” assistance and entertainment made avail- At the same time, IEEP views this as a prime opportunity to prac- able from the university’s many resources. tice what it preaches. It is my sincere hope that Panorama will “We’re always trying to make it clear to companies interested in fashion lifelong ties between you and the coming to our region the kinds of resources that are available to them. university. We invite your feedback and We feel fortunate here in the Inland Empire that we have such a high welcome both your comments and sugges- concentration of top educational institutions,” says Maloney. “If we’re hon- tions for future issues. For more informa- estly looking to promote those educational resources, then it’s important we tion, call (909) 869-3342. utilize them ourselves. That’s why we’re pleased to be involved with Cal Poly Pomona in this project.” (Please see page 7) President Bob H. Suzuki Economics professor Mohammad Safarzadeh (seated) and students Patrick Flynn, Vera Fleischer and Michael Shi will be knee-deep in analyzing economic impact data for the region. WHY ARE YOU RECEIVING PANORAMA? FOR MANY REASONS. You may reside in one of the communities surrounding the university; be part of our alumni or VIP database; be a local business owner or a supporter of the university. Panorama was created to inform, invite and involve our extended university community. April McKettrick connections “Test-Viewing” Vehicles Getting Wired of the Future Cal Poly Pomona recently donated surplus network equipment—including hubs, routers and As rising gasoline prices made head- fiber optic components—to the Walnut Valley lines across the country, Cal Poly Pomona’s Unified School District to help provide up to 2,000 College of Engineering gave students and new Internet connections for students throughout visitors a chance to preview the next phase the district. of personal transportation. Professor “Three years ago, we had practically noth- Michael Shelton taught a course during the ing,” said Marcus Tamayo, director of technology fall on “Alternate Vehicle Design.” Thanks to at Walnut Valley Unified, which has been work- alumnus and Toyota employee Daniel Hoff, ing on getting all of its schools wired. “Now the the university was able to display the Toyota middle schools and high schools are almost fin- Prius—the world’s first mass-produced ished and the elementary schools are well on hybrid vehicle—and an electric-powered their way.” Rav4 in the college’s second-floor lobby. It was the only extended public display in Southern California of the Prius, which fea- Matt Wright tures a super-efficient gasoline engine with an electric motor. Science Shop Under a new initiative from Gov. Gray Davis, students at California’s state colleges and univer- Going to the End of the Earth sities will be asked to make community service a How far do members of the National oveGot to Do graduation requirement, a concerted attempt to Science Board (NSB) have to go for science? s L wit give something back to the community that helps How about to the end of the earth. That’s exact- t’ hi subsidize public education. Cal Poly Pomona’s ly where Cal Poly Pomona President Bob H. ha Romance. t? W hands-on, polytechnic approach to teaching is Suzuki was last December. Appointed to a six- Sexual fantasies. Harassment. already exploring ways of offering a “Science year term on the NSB by President Clinton, Promiscuity. These may seem the fodder of a Shop” based on a Dutch model that utilizes univer- Suzuki visited Antarctica to review progress on provocative made-for-TV movie, but to the phi- sity resources to help solve local community prob- the building of the new South Pole Station as losophy department at Cal Poly Pomona, all these lems. For more information, call Roger Morehouse well as research activities there. issues and more are key to understanding the ethi- at (909) 869-4017. “Antarctica is the best, and sometimes cal implications of “Love and Sex in the New only, site for research on global warming and Millennium.” The steamy theme of this year’s the depletion of the ozone layer,” said Suzuki. ethics conference in April received a warm reception from attendees. Sponsored by the phi- losophy department and the university’s Institute for Ethics and Public Policy, the annual conference addresses ethical and moral concerns of broad community interests. Ambassador Doesn’t Horse Around Back to the Basics Cal Poly Pomona’s newest ambassador, “Buck,” A good education begins with the basics. Yet a has chestnut hair, a gentle temperament and clas- growing number of students lack important funda- sic features. He is admired by all, especially the mentals when they start college. That’s why a Cal staff of the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center. An 8-year-old Poly Pomona pilot program funded by a grant from Arabian stallion, Buckingham Bey V was donated to the uni- the California State University aimed at improving versity by Kay Skeeter of Ojai Valley Farms. Valued at nearly English and math skills at the high school level has $250,000, Buck is a world-class breeding stallion that will been welcomed by six local high schools: La generate revenue for the equine program through stud Puente Nogales, West Covina, West Covina South fees. His arrival also fulfills a pact between the university Hills, La Puente, Diamond Bar and Pomona Garey. and founder W.K.

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