Investigative Series
The Lanterman Property
THE POLY POST INVESTIGATES: DESPITE $10M IN FILM PROFITS, LANTERMAN OPERATES AT $7M DEFICIT
Cal Poly Pomona has brought in more than $10 million in revenue from Hollywood film projects on the 309-acre property given to the campus from the state in 2015 that was once the Lanterman Developmental Center. According to university officials, including CPP President Soraya M. Coley, the revenue is used for operating costs making the property “self-sustaining.” However, through an extensive public records search, The Poly Post investigative team uncovered Lanterman operates at a loss of almost $7 million, despite more than $10 million in profits between 2015 and 2023.
GENSLER HOSTS STUDENT COMPETITION FOR LANTERMAN PROPOSALS
Global architecture and design firm Gensler has been chosen to lead a comprehensive conceptual land use plan and utility assessment for the Cal Poly Pomona Campus South, also known as the Lanterman property, according to Cynthia Peters, director of media relations at CPP. Gensler held the Student Ideas Competition, allowing students to submit proposals for possible conceptual land use for Lanterman.
THE POLY POST INVESTIGATES: CPP PAYS STATE EMPLOYEES TO WORK AT LANTERMAN
Cal Poly Pomona has used more than $10 million in state funds to pay the salaries and benefits for employees, contractors and consultants to work on the Lanterman property between 2015 and 2023, out of which 85% went to pay university police and maintenance employees. When the property was originally transferred to the campus, the governor’s office laid out contingencies, including “that state funds will not be specifically appropriated for the operation, maintenance or development of this property,” according to the 2015 governor’s budget summary.
CPP RECEIVES $750K GRANT TO START LANTERMAN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
LANTERMAN STILL OPERATES AT $113K LOSS THIS YEAR
The Lanterman property, often referred to as Campus South, has settled on two new consultants to proceed with pre-development of the land after the California State University system allocated a $750,000 grant to the project this past summer. The one-time grant will act as the first step toward the development of housing on the 309-acre property not only for staff and faculty but for the greater Pomona community, according to Anthony Orlando, an associate professor of finance, real estate and law and the faculty representative appointed by the Academic Senate for the Lanterman project.
Office of the Ombuds
CPP CONSIDERING REINSTATEMENT OF OMBUDS DIRECTOR
As part of the search for a new director of conflict resolution and ombuds program, Dawn Osborne-Adams, a visiting ombuds, broke down the theoretical competencies the position would require in a dialogue with faculty, staff and students Feb. 20.
OMBUDS TERMINATED
PATTERSON DENIED REASON FOR REMOVAL AS AT-WILL EMPLOYEE
Former Ombudsman at Cal Poly Pomona Mark Patterson revealed he was given no insight as to why the office was closed or that he was terminated from the university. According to Patterson, he had gone to the Office of the President Feb.13 to meet with Vice President and Chief of Staff at CPP Nicole Hawkes under the impression it was a meeting to update Hawkes on the progress of the Ombudsman Office, but he was met with a notice of removal instead.
DIRECTOR OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION, OMBUDS POSITION FILLED AFTER 5-YEAR VACANCY
Mark Patterson has been appointed Cal Poly Pomona’s inaugural Director of Conflict Resolution Services and Ombuds. The original ombuds office closed in 2020 when the previous director, Lavada Austin, retired and Coley decided against appointing an interim to the position, according to previous coverage by The Poly Post.
OMBUDS OFFICE CLOSES AGAIN
SHUTDOWN COMES SEVEN MONTHS AFTER PRIOR FIVE-YEAR HIATUS
The Office of Conflict Resolution and Ombuds has paused operations pending review, according to a statement from Cynthia Peters, director of media relations at Cal Poly Pomona.
She said the office is under assessment to ensure the university is providing the most impactful services. At this time, it is unknown why the office closed or how long the office will remain under review.