IN THE NEWS

A College of Business Administration club has received more than $8,000 in grant money to improve the lives of Pomona-area residents and empower small businesses. The grant money encompasses four different projects that must be completed before the end of the school year. It is an ambitious effort for the 18 members of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) but club President Misael Hernandez says they are up for the challenge.

The Union-Tribune San Diego reports that the number of housing permits in November 2011 soared in San Diego County. While housing construction may be increasing the value and pricing of new homes remains stagnant. Professor Michael Carney, executive director of the Real Estate Research Council of Southern California, says home prices won't reach record highs for another 20 years.

The Orange County Register uses data collected on behalf of the Real Estate Research Council to gauge the Orange County real estate market. The newspaper reports that O.C. homes were collectively worth $380.3 billion in the third quarter of 2011, down $14.7 billion from a year ago.

The Whittier Daily News reports that CIS Professor Dan Manson will use a portion of a National Science Foundation grant to create a cybersecurity league.

An economist proposes that homeowners should be allowed to buy or keep their homes with a mortgage rate of only 1 percent. FRL Professor Michael Carney tells the Whittier Daily News that the plan is problematic because it doesn't specify funding sources.

The College of Business Administration will fast track its plans to create a West Coast cybersecurity league thanks to a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation awarded to Cal Poly Pomona and a consortium of western colleges.

On Nov. 8, Carina Hoang will visit Cal Poly Pomona to launch the U.S. debut of her book “Boat People: Personal Stories from the Vietnam Exodus 1975-1996.” Cal Poly Pomona and surrounding communities are invited to hear Hoang speak and sign her book in the Bronco Student Center (Orion Suite) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To reserve seating, email Marguerite Endres, mendres@csupomona.edu, by Nov. 4.