San Diego Community College District

Special report to the public:

Geysil Arroyo

Trustee Geysil Arroyo thanked Student Trustee Edward Borek for his report, as well as those who provided public comments. She said that she attended in-person events at various campuses, which was the first time she’d been to several District sites since becoming a Trustee in February. Trustee Arroyo wished everyone a restful winter break.

Mary Graham 

Trustee Mary Graham said that she echoed Trustee Arroyo’s comments. She also thanked Student Trustee Borek for mentioning financial aid in his report, and stressed the importance of students taking advantage of all options available to help them help pay for college. She said that she and several other Board Members attended a Cesar Chavez Service Clubs event on December 9, and the Trustee Advisory Council meeting where attendees provided feedback for the upcoming strategic planning process. She said due to a busy work schedule, she was unfortunately unable to attend District holiday parties, but she wished everyone happy and healthy holidays.

Craig Milgrim

Trustee Craig Milgrim said that he missed the District holiday events, but is looking forward to seeing people in the New Year. He said that he participated in the December 16 AFT Guild toy drive where more than 400 toys were collected; and attended virtual meetings with the Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC) San Diego, as well as with Kim Desmond from the city’s Office of Race and Equity. He commented on two recent Board approvals relating to mental health services, and said that he was happy to hear about the activities taking place at Miramar College mentioned by Student Trustee Borek, and encouraged all to think about mental health the same way they think about physical health. Trustee Milgrim congratulated the Geography Department at Mesa College for receiving a grant to develop inclusive and culturally responsible curriculum; and commended College of Continuing Education’s Laurie Crosby Howell and Shirley Pierson for attending the November Kornit Fashion Week in Los Angeles with an eye toward digital transformation of clothing and textile art programs. He wished all a happy holiday season.

Bernie Rhinerson

Trustee Bernie Rhinerson wished staff and students a happy holiday season and a well-deserved break. He thanked the Christensen Foundation for renewing its funding for the Board of Trustees scholarships, which was increased to $20,000 ($5,000 for each institution); since support started in 2012, the scholarships have helped more than 100 students. He said that he attended a kickoff meeting at the Educational Cultural Complex for a new research study being done nationally through the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and the Education Strategy Group that will look for pathways from non-credit to credit; the College of Continuing Education was one of 10 institutions selected nationally to participate. Trustee Rhinerson also said he met with County Board of Supervisors Chair Nathan Fletcher’s policy team to find ways the Chair can support the District; there will be a follow up meeting in January.

Dr. Maria Nieto Senour

Trustee Maria Nieto Senour said that she attended all of the holiday events around the District and that it was nice to see people in person again. She also attended the Cesar Chavez Service Clubs event. In regards to the public comments, Trustee Senour said that the goal is always to treat people fairly, but that is not always easy in difficult times, and that the Board welcomes participation and input on the best ways to move forward. She wished all happy holidays.

Dr. Carlos O. Turner Cortez

Chancellor Carlos Cortez reported that California Governor Gavin Newsom will release his proposed budget for the upcoming year before the next board meeting. He said the District’s leadership will be watching this announcement closely to determine the impact that the state budget will have on the community college system. The District is preparing for the annual legislative conference hosted by the Community College League of California in Sacramento at the end of January, where the District plans to advocate that the state address pension relief along with deferred maintenance and instructional equipment. He reported that he met with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria to discuss the District's intentions to build housing for students and employees and that Mayor Gloria agreed that the City of San Diego would offer support for this project. Chancellor Cortez also offered recognition of Mesa College President Pam Luster who is the recipient of the inaugural #Real College award. He also recognized Miramar Professor Judy Patacsil will join the District Office for the spring semester a 0.5 FTE load to help lead the development of the new strategic plan for SDCCD and offered his congratulations to the College of Continuing Education for being accepted into the Noncredit and Credit Alignment Lab administered by the Association of Community College Trustees and the Education Strategy Group. He shared that he attended holiday parties hosted by the four colleges and thanked those who participated. Chancellor Cortez shared his report with City College President Ricky Shabazz who introduced new Vice President of Student Services Marciano Perez, and Continuing Education Interim President Kay Faulconer Boger who introduced new Vice President of Student Services Shakerra Carter. He concluded his report by wishing everyone a wonderful holiday break.

Edward Borek

Student Trustee Edward Borek reported that City College hosted a Fall Fest and Study Jam event on December 8, and a hybrid in-person and virtual holiday party on December 2. He also reported that at Mesa College the Mesa2030 plan is a Bellwether Award finalist; the Mesa College Associated Students (AS) are advocating for AAPI curriculum; a food distribution event was held on December 6; a new campus Dreamers Resources Center opened on December 7; and there will be a Mesa Saturday Creating Rich Unique Intellectual Student Experiences (CRUISE) event held January 8 and Mesa Winter CRUISE on January 11-13. Student Trustee Borek reported that Miramar College held an in-person, pre-finals Day of Pampering where students took part in various mental health activates and received lunch; held its final Associated Student Government meeting of semester on December 10 where planning continued for the Welcome Back to Campus event on January 25. He reported that the United Student Council continues to advocate for students districtwide to help with food insecurities, affordable transportation and housing, and textbook affordability; and reminded students that scholarship and financial aid applications are open and available online, and encouraged community members to continue their support of students through donations.

BOARD ACTIONS

At its regular meeting of December 16, 2021, which was conducted in a virtual format, the Board of Trustees:

- Approved the following actions from Closed Session: adopted the Resource Allocation Formula (RAF) Tentative Agreements for a salary increase for the AFT Guild College & Continuing Education Faculty and AFT Guild Classified Units; the AFT Guild Non-Academic Non Classified Employees Unit, the Police Officers Association, the Management Association Unit, the Supervisory & Professional Administrators Association; the Association of Confidential Employees Unit; the Executive Management Unit, and the Chancellor.

- Heard public comment from Barbara Clark and Jennifer Aase who expressed concern about returning to in-person work full time in January, and from Marie McMahon and Patricia Sparks who disagree with the District’s vaccine mandate. Acting City College Academic Senate (AS) President Darius Spearman shared that AS President Masahiro “Masa” Omae has vacated his position and that elections are being held for an interim president. The interim president will assume the role in January, at which point Spearman will return to his role as treasurer. Otherwise, he thanked everyone for their support during the transition. Mesa College AS President John Crocitti reported that Mesa will be joining 49 other community colleges which are supporting an initiative to expand credit for prior learning for veterans. He also said faculty representatives are participating in the search committee for the next Mesa College president. Miramar College AS President-Elect Pablo Martin said that the AS has approved a “committee on committees” that will select faculty to serve on various governance and screening committees. He also shared that Steinberg Hart, the architecture firm that is helping Miramar College to develop their facilities master plan, gave a presentation on the work that had been done so far, which he described as exciting.

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 Carlos Cortez as Secretary to the Board;
4. Appointing Trustees Geysil Arroyo as Vice President for Public Health Advocacy, 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 Planning, Research, and Institutional Effectiveness for Student Success, Equity, and Inclusion (formerly the Accreditation, Student Equity and Success subcommittee). The Board also appointed the subcommittees of the Chancellor’s Evaluation (Arroyo, Graham) and the Board Self-Evaluation (Arroyo, Milgrim).

- After conducting a public hearing, adopted a plan to modify existing trustee areas in compliance with the California and Federal Voting Rights Acts provisions regarding Board of Trustees elections.

- Approved the revised Board Meeting Schedule for January 2022 through June 2022

- Heard a report from Vice Chancellor of Facilities Chris Manis about Districtwide Sustainability and Renewable Energy.

- Approved new or revised courses and programs following comments by Dean Shelly Hess.

- Ratified the appointment and employment contracts of Marciano Perez, Jr. as Vice President, Student Services, at San Diego City College; and Dr. Shakerra Carter as Vice President, Student Services, at San Diego College of Continuing Education.

- Authorized agreements with health care agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs; with Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Auxiliary Organization for the Strong Workforce Program Student Retention, Persistence, and Completion, and the SWP Master Agreement at Miramar College, and the Strategies for Priority Occupations, Sectors and Economies – Cybersecurity project at the San Diego College of Continuing Education; and between the Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar and the College of Continuing Education for instructional services and vocational training to military personnel.

- Authorized subcontract agreements with the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges for the Strong Workforce – Advanced Manufacturing Curriculum Alignment Grant at City College; with Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges for Strong Workforce Job Placement Case Management at Mesa College; with the Association of American Geographers for the Encoding Geography grant at Mesa College; and with the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges for Strong Workforce Pathway Navigation at Miramar College.

- Accepted grants from Kaiser Permanente Community Mental Health Grant Program for The Integration of Health and Behavioral Health to Increase Student Access at City College; from Street of Dreams for the Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Program at City College; from Cal Coast Cares for a speaker series of Women in STEM at Miramar College; and from the San Diego County Office of Education for the Child Development Center at Miramar College.

- Accepted a grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for the remodel and renovation of the historical theater and community at the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC) following remarks by Continuing Education Interim President Kay Faulconer Boger.

- Accepted grants from the CCCCO for Basic Needs Centers Staffing and Support at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, for Mental Health Services Support at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges; for Student Retention and Enrollment Outreach at City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges; and for Dream Resource Liaison Support at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges.

- Accepted a stipend from the American Rescue Plan Act, in accordance with Assembly Bill (AB) 131, for costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic at the Child Development Centers at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges.

- Awarded a contract to MIG, Inc. for consulting services related to District Strategic Plan Development.

- Following public comment by Arnie Schoenberg who advocated for equal pay for equal work in the classroom, adopted a resolution regarding compensation of members of the Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2021.

- Approved purchase orders completed during October 2021; new or revised courses and programs; the District’s Report of Participation in the San Diego County Investment Pool for the period ending September 30, 2021; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after December 17, 2021.