San Diego Community College District

Special Report to the Public:

Sean Elo-Rivera, J.D.

Trustee Sean Elo-Rivera acknowledged comments made by Student Trustee Destiny Gallegos-Munoz relating to an incident at Mesa College. He said that he attended a recent event in support of California Proposition 16, the ballot measure to restore the use of affirmative action criteria in hiring decisions.

Mary Graham

Trustee Mary Graham expressed her support for the Mesa College Academic Senate’s resolution for incorporating the new California State University requirement for ethnic studies classes, but emphasized that this consideration falls within the purview of the faculty. Chancellor Carroll said that once the four Academic Senates have conferred and come to a uniform position and the curriculum approval process is followed, the Board can take action to support this change. Trustee Graham said she participated in the virtual Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Leadership Congress, and shared information from a national study that showed that 46% of student respondents said they need more schooling, and needed to see more directly how the work they do connects to employment. The report also indicated that one-third of students who did not complete degrees reported that their most recent experience in education was negative.

Craig Milgrim

Trustee Craig Milgrim said that California has sent ballots to voters this week and remarked that this is a pivotal election and all registered voters should exercise their democratic right to vote. He also indicated his support for California Proposition 18, which would allow 17-year olds to vote in the primary if they are to turn 18 by the time of the general elections.

Bernie Rhinerson

Trustee Bernie Rhinerson stressed the importance of the upcoming election and encouraged everyone to vote. He thanked City College President Ricky Shabazz and everyone who helped with the campus presentation.

Dr. Maria Nieto Senour

Trustee Maria Nieto Senour said she participated in the October 7 virtual Restoring Respect Conference, which was co-sponsored by the San Diego Community College District. She also participated in a number of workshops in the ACCT Leadership Congress where many of her fellow Pacific Region trustee colleagues reported declining enrollment in their colleges. She also encouraged everyone to get out and vote.

Dr. Constance M. Carroll

Chancellor Constance Carroll reported that a new State report has been issued by the California Department of Public Health and Cal OSHA, COVID-19 Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education. The report provides extensive guidance regarding health protocols that community colleges and universities must follow in addressing classes and other functions at their campuses. She also reported that she and Trustee Maria Nieto Senour provided a video that was shown at the ACCT Leadership Congress, inviting trustees to attend the next national ACCT conference, October 13-16, 2021, which will be held in San Diego, with the SDCCD serving as the host district. The Chancellor informed the Board that the District has worked with Mesa College alumna and actress Annette Bening on a special, nonpartisan video urging community college students to vote; the video will have wide distribution to community colleges in California and the nation. Dr. Carroll shared her report with Interim Vice Chancellor Ramon Knox who received a plaque of appreciation for his excellent work in this interim capacity.

Destiny Gallegos-Munoz

Student Trustee Destiny Gallegos-Munoz said she was disappointed with the recent incident that took place between a student and a faculty member during last month’s virtual Mesa College President’s Cabinet Meeting. She said the Miramar College Associated Student Government has been successful in providing safe spaces for students to engage in virtual dialogue, while also encouraging students to vote. She reported that the City College ASG is working on virtual events to maintain student involvement and engagement.

BOARD ACTIONS

At its regular meeting of October 8, 2020, which was conducted in a virtual format, the Board of Trustees:

- Held a virtual campus meeting with City College that included a welcome from President Ricky Shabazz, Vice President of Student Services Denise Whisenhunt, Vice President of Instruction Tillie Chavez, Vice President of Administrative Services John Parker, Classified Senate Acting President Sean Ryan, Site Director, Supervisory and Professional Administrators Association Josolyn Hill, and Associated Students Government President Destiny Gallegos-Munoz; a presentation on City Family is Essential by Vice President of Administrative Services John Parker; a presentation on City Love is Essential by Vice President of Instructional Services Tillie Chavez, Assistant Professor of English Christy Ball, and Adjunct Professor of English Kevin Gossett; a presentation on Summer Academics are Essential by Assistant Professor of Communication Studies María-José Zeledón-Pérez and Associate Professor of Philosophy Soon-Ah Fadness; a presentation on City Women are Essential by Vice President Denise Whisenhunt and CalWORKs Coordinator Mariam Mena, and Vice President of City Women Rock Club Melannie Asceves; a presentation on City Foster Youth are Essential by NextUp Coordinator and Counselor Selam Gebrekristos and NextUp Alumni and SDSU student Walter Holloway; a presentation on Social Justice is Essential by Dean of Student Equity Roberto Valadez; and closing remarks, including a presentation of a framed photograph to Chancellor Constance Carroll in celebration of her services and upcoming retirement, from President Ricky Shabazz.

- Reported from Closed Session that the Board approved the adoption of a side letter regarding the health benefits negotiations between the San Diego Community College District and the AFT Guild, Local 1931, Classified Professionals and Faculty bargaining units.

- Heard public comments from Mesa College Academic Senate (AS) President Manuel Velez who thanked City College for its excellent presentation during the campus meeting. He reported that the AS recently passed resolutions in support of credit for prior learning and in support of an ethnic studies requirement for community college students based on the recent requirement implemented by the California State University system, which he asked the Board to also consider approving. He shared that the college has embarked on a campuswide healing process after a recent period of divisiveness stemming from an incident at the college.

- Approved the Board Meeting Schedule for January 2021 through June 2021.

- Adopted a resolution in support of the establishment of an executive Office of Child and Youth Success in San Diego to Prioritize the Well-Being and Success of San Diego’s Children, Youth, and their Families; and authorizing the issuance of 2020-21 Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRANs) after remarks by Chancellor Constance Carroll and Executive Vice Chancellor of Business and Technology Services Bonnie Dowd.

- Approved new or revised courses and programs; and consideration of the “Real Estate Acceptance Policy Manual” related to general principles, terms, and procedures required for acceptance of gifts of real property following remarks by Executive Vice Chancellor Bonnie Dowd.

- Authorized agreements with health care agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupations programs; and with the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department for In-Service training at Miramar College.

- Heard a report by Interim Vice Chancellor Ramon Knox on 2020 Veterans Day activities and on Food and Housing Insecurities based on The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice Survey, each with remarks by City College President Ricky Shabazz, Mesa College President Pamela Luster, Miramar College President P. Wesley Lundburg, and Continuing Education President Carlos Turner Cortez.

- Approved purchase orders completed during the month of August; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after October 9, 2020.