SDSU prez De la Torre gets raise to $441,504

Adela’s big fat salary

It didn’t take long for new San Diego State University president Adela de la Torre, on the job for less than a week, to collect a tidy boost to her already sizable pay. Picked as successor to departed campus head Elliot Hirshman back in January, de la Torre finally took charge at SDSU on June 28 with a starting base salary of $428,645. Then on July 24, California State University trustees approved a $12,859 raise for de la Torre, taking her to $441,504, at the very top of the system’s presidential salary heap. In second place among presidents, according to meeting minutes, is San Luis Obispo’s Jeffrey Armstrong at $429,915. San Jose’s Mary Papazian is third with $391,683. The 3-percent raises for each of the university system’s top executives were made retroactive to July 1. “I know that you share my belief that attracting, recruiting, retaining quality leadership for the Cal States is a significant concern,” CSU Chancellor Timothy White told the trustees. “Leadership of our campuses and executive office is critical to the overall success of our students and university.” As part of the deal, White got a $13,510 raise to $463,855, edging out de la Torre for top spot among all university officials. The salary actions drew the professed ire of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, an ex-officio trustee. “This idea was never part of our calculus when we considered the budget,” said Rendon. “I’m certain that the results of our final vote on the budget would have been different.”

In June, legislators voted to hike CSU spending by $358.2 million as part of a deal to avert another tuition increase. Before de la Torre arrived in San Diego, she had been making $313,000 as vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of California Davis, when in 2016 she refused to open her Google email account to investigators for the university who were looking into allegations of improper influence against then-UC Davis president Linda Katehi. “Thus, there may exist relevant communications or documents that were not made available to the investigation team,” per the consultant’s report. On August 9, 2016, Katehi quit after investigators found “numerous instances where Chancellor Katehi was not candid, that she exercised poor judgment, and violated multiple University policies.”

Duncan Hunter’s tent poles

Republican House member Duncan Hunter, in hot water for alleged use of campaign cash for vacations, among other personal expenses, took off on a free trip to Poland last month courtesy of the America Polish Cooperation Society. Hunter’s four-day round-trip from Washington, D.C. to Rzeszów beginning July 19 cost sponsors $3000 in transportation costs, per an August 6 disclosure report by the congressman, which listed no other expenses. “This trip will serve to provide greater insight into the strategic position Poland has as an ally to the U.S. which is significant in my position as a member of the House Armed Services Committee,” Hunter declared as the journey’s justification. “I have been invited to attend a dedication ceremony of a location in Rzeszów, Poland, honoring U.S. General Merian C. Cooper who served in both the U.S. Air Service during World War I and volunteered for the Polish Airforce as a pilot during the pre-WWII conflicts that Poland had with Russia. Last year I was honored to place a plaque honoring General Cooper on Mt. Soledad, the U.S. military memorial located in La Jolla, California that was donated by the American Polish Cooperation Society. The Defense attaché from the Polish Embassy was in attendance. I also intend to view areas in Poland that might be suitable for U.S military installations or U.S. Veteran’s hospital or treatment facilities.”

Highlights of the trip were set to include “visiting the Arboretum and the Department of Physiography in Bolestraszyce,” with an agenda featuring “Plans of promoting polish nature and tourist attractions in U.S.,” along with a speech by Hunter. Also scheduled: “A reception and meeting with Marshal of Podkarpacie, representatives of the Aviation Valley, Starost of the surrounding poviats and Mayors of the surrounding Municipalities.”

Legal monies

San Diego city attorney Mara Elliott, girding for costly legal claims against San Diego cops, is advertising for “an experienced Civil Litigator in civil cases alleging excessive force by police officers.” Adds the online job notice, “First chair jury trial experience is highly desirable. The applicant’s cover letter or resume should state the number of applicant’s jury trials in which applicant was lead counsel.” No salary is listed… Ex-District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, running against Nathan Fletcher for county supervisor, is still waiting to pay herself back from her 2014 DA reelection campaign. Per a July 25 filing covering the first half of this year, the Dumanis fund still had a cash balance of $4836, but owed Dumanis $47,000. Forty thousand dollars of the debt dates back to September 2014, with the rest incurred in June 2017, the filing says.