Board Report: December 17, 2020

December 18, 2020 | San Diego Community College District

Special Report to the Public:

Mary Graham

Trustee Mary Graham said she is honored to continue working with the Board for four more years and commented that she admired community colleges because they are egalitarian institutions that recognize each student’s unique qualities and challenges. She thanked those who made public comments for their feedback and said that she looks forward to seeing the recommendations of the College Police Review Task Force. Trustee Graham also wished everyone happy holidays and a better 2021.

Craid Milgrim

Trustee Craig Milgrim also acknowledged the public comments and said he is looking forward to receiving recommendations from the College Police Review Task Force. He shared that along with Trustee Bernie Rhinerson he is interested in receiving more information on funding for the Dreamers Centers and the Immigration Support Program and also thanked the AFT Guild for raising the issue. Trustee Milgrim reported that he attended a virtual town hall where students spoke about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, along with Mesa College President Pamela T. Luster, who spoke about the inherent racism of the budgeting process for community colleges at the state level and how to address that shortcoming. He also attended a virtual Trustee Advisory Council (TAC) meeting that included an informative presentation on the Employee Training Institute from Continuing Education President Carlos O. Turner Cortez. Trustee Milgrim noted that he is looking forward to the start of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and commented that the technology behind it has been decades in the making. He wished everyone a happy winter solstice.

Bernie Rhinerson

Trustee Bernie Rhinerson said that he is honored to start a new term, along with Trustee Mary Graham, on the Board. He also attended the TAC meeting and said that he was particularly impressed by the innovations relating to online learning for entrepreneurship and career technical skills presented by Continuing Education President Carlos O. Turner Cortez, and that he will be offering some of those same ideas during a virtual presentation to an audience at Amity University in New Delhi, India, in the early hours of December 19. Trustee Rhinerson indicated that he is starting to plan for the upcoming legislative session as part of his work on the Community College League of California (CCLC’s) Advisory Committee on Legislation, which he chairs, ahead of the CCLC’s virtual meeting taking place in January, and continuing to work at the national level with the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), where he will continue to advocate for more stimulus funding as a member of the ACCT’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee. He noted that tonight is the last night of Hanukkah and wished everyone happy holidays.

Dr. Maria Nieto Senour

Trustee Maria Nieto Senour congratulated Trustees Bernie Rhinerson and Mary Graham on being re-elected to the Board and said that she is looking forward to continuing to work with them. She indicated that after a trying year she is looking forward to a better 2021, but noted that 2020 had moments of greatness and thanked healthcare professionals and all those workers who helped keep the nation running despite great personal risk. She said that she hoped teachers would be among those vaccinated early, as she continues to worry about students having to do virtual learning because of the pandemic. Trustee Senour said that she is hopeful the new administration will be supportive of education, and wished everyone a happy holiday season.

Dr. Constance M. Carroll

Chancellor Constance Carroll reported that Assemblywoman Shirley Weber has agreed to sponsor two of the SDCCD’s priority bills: one to enable the collection of state apportionment for courses taught on military bases and the other to put noncredit Career Development and College Preparation (CDCP) courses on the same Census track that pertains to credit courses. The Chancellor also indicated that Assemblyman Jose Medina will introduce the new community college baccalaureate bill reflecting the consultation that is currently underway with representatives from the California State University (CSU) system. She also noted California Governor Gavin Newsom will release his next budget proposal on January 8, 2021. Dr. Carroll updated the Board on COVID-19 planning, noting that by a Conference determination the sports programs that were postponed from the fall semester would not be offered in the first half of the spring semester and may, or may not, be offered in the second half of the semester. She thanked and recognized Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Will Surbrook in view of his retirement at the end of the month. She and the Board members, along with AFT Guild President Jim Mahler, praised Mr. Surbrook for his excellent work, and he made closing remarks indicating his positive experiences in the District. The Chancellor indicated that the District will be closed from December 23 through January 1, and wished everyone a safe and restful holiday season.

Sanam Azai

Student Trustee Sanam Azai reported that student leadership at all seven Continuing Education campuses celebrated the end of year and holiday season during a virtual Zoom event that included various interactive activities. Associated Student leaders at Mesa, City, and Miramar colleges have wrapped up for the year and look forward to focusing efforts in the new year on increasing student involvement.

BOARD ACTIONS

At its regular meeting of December 17, 2020, which was conducted in a virtual format, the Board of Trustees:

- Announced from the 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 Police Officers Association (POA), the approval of the Tentative Agreement with the POA for the period July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2023; and to deny the Appeal of the Administrative Determination of a Title 5 Complaint.

- Administered the Oath of Office to re-elected Trustees Mary Graham as administered by San Diego County Board of Education Member Alicia Muñoz and to Bernie Rhinerson as administered by San Diego Unified School District Board Member Richard Barrera.

- Acknowledged Trustee Sean Elo-Rivera’s resignation due to his election to the San Diego City Council and presented of a plaque of appreciation for his service on the Board of Trustees. Mr. Elo-Rivera commented on his positive experiences while serving on the Board.

- Heard public comments from eight individuals in support of institutionalizing funding for the Dreamers Centers and the Immigration Support Program, as well as from forty individuals relating to SDCCD police presence on the campuses and funding of the department, and from AFT Guild President Jim Mahler who commented on messages about both topics that were signed by Guild members, and asked for follow up by the District. City College Academic Senate (AS) President Paul Alexander shared that he appreciates the open dialogue that exists at the college around challenging issues including the introduction of new technologies and the reallocation of police funding. He also reported that the AS voted to sign on to a letter from the AFT Guild Dreamers Task Force and send five recommendations to the Chancellor and Board of Trustees pertaining to the College Police Review Task Force. He concluded by acknowledging Sean Elo-Rivera’s service on the Board saying he will be missed. Mesa College AS President Manuel Velez congratulated trustees Mary Graham and Bernie Rhinerson as well as Sean Elo-Rivera, whom he called a strong voice on the Board. He said it had been a challenging semester with difficult conversations but that everyone was respectful and committed to solutions. Miramar College AS President Laura Murphy said that she agreed with her colleagues and wished everyone happy holidays. Continuing Education AS President John Bromma reported that the AS met last week and voted to support both AFT statements.

- Conducted the Board’s Annual Organizational Meeting:

1.    Electing Trustee Maria Nieto Senour as President of the Board;

2.    Electing Trustee Mary Graham as Executive Vice President of the Board;

3.    Appointing Chancellor Constance Carroll as Secretary to the Board;

4.    Appointing Trustees Craig Milgrim as Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Bernie Rhinerson as Vice President for Legislative Advocacy.

5.    Discussing matters of policy or function as determined by the Board; and referring to the Chancellor Board members’ interests in serving on the two subcommittees: Budget Study and Audit; and Accreditation, Student Equity and Success.

- Following comments by Chancellor Constance Carroll and a presentation by Legal Services and EEO Director Ljubisa Kostic, reviewed and approved the proposed timeline, application, and interview questions that will be used for filling the vacancy in Trustee Area E as a result of Trustee Sean Elo-Rivera’s election to the San Diego City Council.

- Approved an extension of Trustee Bernie Rhinerson’s period of permissible absence from the state of California and the District, in compliance with BP 2750 and California Government Code Section 1064, for an additional period of 60 days (for a total of 150 days).

- Authorized the name change of San Diego Continuing Education to San Diego College of Continuing Education following a presentation by President Carlos O. Turner Cortez.

- Approved new or revised courses and programs following comments by Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Susan Topham; and the 2019-20 Annual Financial Report, CCFS-311, following comments by Executive Vice Chancellor Bonnie Dowd.

- Approved the appointment of Jason Paguio, nominated by Trustee Bernie Rhinerson, to the Propositions S and N Citizens’ Oversight Committee (COC) to serve a two-year term from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022; and the removal of Yen Tu from the COC with appreciation for her advice and support, after receiving a notice of resignation.

- Considered and approved the new Chapter 4 — Academic Affairs Board Policy (Second Reading): BP 5235 Credit for Prior Learning, in response to legal and/or regulatory requirements, and the new Chapter 6 — Business and Fiscal Affairs Board Policy (Second Reading): BP 6980 Sustainability.

- Authorized agreements with health care agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupations programs; and with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) for fire in-service training at Miramar College.

- Accepted grants from the San Diego County Office of Education, CSPP Quality Block Grant, for the Miramar College Child Development Center; from the U.S. Department of Education for the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program at City and Mesa colleges and for the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) program at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges; and from the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) for Financial Aid at Miramar College.

- Authorized the purchase of a Digital Portable X-ray Unit from Agiliti Imaging to be used for the Radiologic Technology program at Mesa College.

- Approved various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after December 18, 2020; and purchase orders prepared during the month of October.

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