UPDATE:

On Friday evening, shortly after this post was published, Cal Poly Humboldt spokesperson Melissa Hutsell responded to the Outpost’s inquiry via email, saying:

Obviously we don’t think the Lumberjack story is balanced. Probably the best way to understand our position is to read our actual response to the Division of Boating and Waterways, which we provided to the Lumberjack, and which I’ve attached below for your review.

The response letter, which you can read in full by clicking here, insists that Cal Poly Humboldt is not in breach of its agreement with the California Division of Boats and Waterways. As evidence, the letter enumerates a list of various boating and water safety courses that have been offered to the public over the last two years.

The letter acknowledges that the university moved some Center Activities staff into the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center but says, “these administrative, personnel actions have had no adverse impact on the University’s provision of the services and activities demonstrated above.”

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Original post:

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A nice little scoop this week from the student journalists over at The Lumberjack: Cal Poly Humboldt finds itself in hot water with the California Division of Boating and Waterways over the university’s use of the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center, that big two-story building with tall windows down on the Eureka waterfront.

Back in December, the state agency sent Cal Poly Humboldt President Tom Jackson a letter accusing the university of breach of contract.

The letter alleges that instead of using the $4 million boater-funded building as it is contractually obligated to — namely, providing students and community members with a hub for boating recreation and instruction — the university has instead used large portions of the facility for “administration and alumni fundraising office space, university fundraising events, private club rowing, and storage of private club vessels.”

State employees have attempted to inspect the facility, but the university denied the request and referred them to its attorney, the letter says.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s News and Information Office did not immediately reply to a request for comment Friday afternoon, but in a reply letter to the Division of Boating and Waterways, the university’s director of athletics and campus recreation said Cal Poly Humboldt still offers plenty of public access and boating services.

The state has given the university until March 29 to remedy the alleged breaches of contract, according to the Lumberjack.

Head on over to the Lumberjack website to read the full story.