CALIFORNIA

Joe McCabe sits on a wooden bench and calls out to two men strolling up State Street, "Have any spare change? I'm actually a traveler."

While many colleges and universities actively seek high rankings in publications like U.S. News & World Report, one school has shied away from such self promotion.

SAN DIEGO — After GOP gubernatorial candidate Neel Kashkari wrapped up his pitch to about two dozen young conservatives on the patio of a wing-and-beer joint, attorney Kerry Schlossberg had a question.

Just before he climbs aboard the shiny white bus, Tau Pham hands his satchel to the guys loading cargo. Quickly, they stuff it next to dragon fruit, car parts, homemade sticky rice and today's editions of the Vietnamese newspapers.