Cal State Long Beach College of Business Administration Receives $100,000 Grant from Verizon Foundation


Verizon Foundation has awarded $100,000 to the College of Business Administration (CBA) at California State University, Long Beach to establish a Community Information Clubhouse in the Long Beach area in 2003-04.

The grant will enable the college to work with unemployed or underemployed local residents who have basic computer literacy skills but need more instruction in such things as the Internet in order to understand the information that is available and apply that knowledge to benefit economically.

“We appreciate everything that Verizon has done for Cal State Long Beach,” said CSULB President Robert C. Maxson. “This funding will enable the college’s Information Systems Department to utilize its resources for the betterment of the community, especially those living in our inner city.”

The project targets approximately 4,400 individuals, who will work in a classroom environment with CSULB faculty and student assistants at 20 computer workstations. Participants will complete a minimum of 45 hours in the program, some of it working together on team projects.
“Our partnership with the Center for Information Strategies and Technologies and the Community Information Clubhouse is exemplary of how business and education can make a difference,” commented Tim McCallion, president of Verizon’s Pacific Region. “This partnership brings technology and technology awareness to those who might not have the chance to receive it. Without a basic knowledge of technology, not many employment doors can be opened.”

The City of Long Beach will assist in finding a location for the clubhouse and its Office of Economic Development will help to identify participants for the program.

“Computers, software and the Internet do not, by themselves, lead to community economic development but rather the engaging of those users to navigate the sea of information in order to customize it for their own purposes,” said H. Michael Chung, professor of information systems and director of the clubhouse as well as the college’s Center for Information Strategies and Technologies.

Expanding on the project, CBA Dean Luis Calingo noted that persons with “entrepreneurial tendencies could do research on the Internet about business opportunities and get ideas for making a business plan.”

The Verizon Foundation supports a variety of programs that focus on improving basic and computer literacy, bridging the digital divide, enriching communities through technology and creating a skilled work force. The foundation promotes partnerships in technology with organizations serving the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities, and the economically and socially disadvantaged. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Media contacts: Rick Gloady, 562/985-5454
Shayne Schroeder, 562/985-1727