Board Report: November 10, 2022

November 14, 2022 | San Diego Community College District

Special Report to the Public:

Geysil Arroyo

Trustee Geysil Arroyo expressed how excited she was to be at Mesa College for her first in person campus meeting. She reported that she and Trustee Maria Nieto Senour attended the Association of Community College Trustees Leadership Congress in New York City where Trustees Mary Graham and Bernie Rhinerson were presenters along with Vice Chancellor Susan Topham; and she attended the Board Retreat on November 3. She wished everyone a nice Veterans Day holiday weekend.

Mary Graham 

Trustee Mary Graham reported that she attended the ACCT Leadership Conference and gave a presentation with Trustee Rhinerson on the ongoing collaboration between the SDCCD and San Diego Unified School District boards, where they highlighted (among other things) the Mesa College Teacher Pipeline program that was discussed as part of today’s campus meeting.

Craig Milgrim

Trustee Craig Milgrim thanked Mesa College professor Alessandra Moctezuma for giving him a tour of the “Pride and Protest: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Love and Activism” student-curated exhibition. He also recognized Pride Center Adjunct Counselor Coordinator Lucio Lira for his tireless work, saying it was just one example of what adjunct faculty do on a daily basis above and beyond what they are paid for.

Bernie Rhinerson

Trustee Bernie Rhinerson reported that on November 14 he will be in attendance during the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges meeting where they will hear presentations on possible new baccalaureate degree programs, including from City College President Ricky Shabazz who will present on a possible Cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program.

Dr. Maria Nieto Senour

Trustee Maria Nieto Senour said she attended the November 10 City College Veterans Job and Resource Fair, where Congresswoman Sara Jacobs gave remarks, as well as the Hermanos Unidos Brothers United (HUBU) Conference, which she noted had participation by women as well as men.

Dr. Carlos O. Cortez

Chancellor Carlos Cortez congratulated Trustee Rhinerson on being reappointed to the ACCT Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, and Trustees Arroyo, Milgrim and Nieto Senour for being reelected to the Board of Trustees for four-year terms. He reported that on November 9 he had lunch with the four college Academic Senate presidents and thanked them for their service and collegial approach to governance. He said that he attended City College’s Veterans Job and Resource Fair where Congressmember Jacobs provided remarks, as well as the 12th annual HUBU Conference, which concluded with a screening of Wakanda Forever in two rented theaters where students could be admitted for free if they brought a friend not currently enrolled. He also noted that City College will host the San Diego Pride Youth Leadership Summit with special guest Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Trustee Milgrim in attendance on November 12. Chancellor Cortez reported that Mesa College alumnus Jonathan Hart was selected to join the inaugural cohort of the U.S. Digital Corps and congratulated the men's and women’s cross country teams for sweeping the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) championships. He also reported that Mesa College launched a student entrepreneurs club and hosted a homecoming pep rally on November 10. He said that Miramar College hosted a press conference with Assemblymembers Brian Maienschein and Kevin McCarty to receive a $2.5 million grant from the State of California for veteran student services and hosted the second annual Constance M. Carroll Equity Summit on October 27 and 28. He congratulated President Wes Lundburg on being honored by the San Diego Business Journal as one of the region’s 50 foremost influential veterans. Chancellor Cortez reported the College of Continuing Education hosted its 5th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration. SDCCE received a $10,000 donation from DPR Construction during the company’s annual Cornhole Classic tournament, a $10,000 contribution from SDG&E for the San Diego Gateway to College and Career program, and the Automotive Program received a donation of several cars from Subaru for the training laboratory. Chancellor Cortez also recognized employees from the College Police Department which hosted a BBQ lunch fundraiser for the 2022 Shop with a Cop event, for which the Chancellor’s Office will be providing $500. He reported that, upon invitation from Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, on November 14 he will testify on student enrollment, and that along with several members of the Board and Cabinet he will attend the Community College League of California’s annual conference November 17-19 to learn more about pending legislative and budgetary developments.

Phoebe Truong

Student Trustee Phoebe Truong reported that City College hosted a Transfer Fair, Cybersecurity Awareness program, and a Halloween-themed Club Rush during October; held a Dia de los Muertos event on November 1; and launched on October 31 a Knight’s Patrol on campus in the evenings to chaperone students and staff. She reported that the Mesa College Associated Student Government (ASG) hosted a healing circle for all community members on October 19; and in November the college has hosted a Veteran’s celebration week, a dog wash fundraiser for the Vet Tech program, a Black excellence symposium, and will host a forthcoming hunger awareness week and fuzzy blanket distribution day. She said ongoing at Mesa College are free flu shots being offered to students and a Career Fest that will conclude on November 17. Student Trustee Truong reported that Miramar College held its annual Equity Summit; officially rolled out its land acknowledgement in October; had ASG members participate in the California Community College Student Affairs Association (CCCSAA) Student Leadership Conference from October 21 and 22; and will celebrate an “Eat with Us” event to provide free meals to students on November 16. She reported that College of Continuing Education will install new charging station across its campuses to help increase access to technology for its students; participated in Undocumented Students Week and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in October; held a Dia del los Muertos celebration on November 3. She also recognized Dr. Tina M. King on being named as a Top 50 Latino Leaders of Influence in San Diego.

BOARD ACTIONS

At its regular meeting of November 10, 2022, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:

  • Conducted a campus meeting in a hybrid format with San Diego Mesa College that included welcome remarks from President Ashanti Hands, Academic Senate President John Crocitti, Classified Senate President Sahar King, and Associated Student President and Student Trustee Phoebe Truong; and presentations on Mesa2030 by Institutional Effectiveness Dean Bridget Herrin; on Scholar Athletes by Exercise Science, Health Education, Dance and Athletics Dean Ryan Shumaker; a video presentation on Teacher Education Program by student Jonah Lamargo; on the Mesa Gallery by Professor and Fine Art, Museum Studies and Gallery Director Alessandra Moctezuma; on World Art Collection by Art History, Fine Arts professor Denise Rogers; on Community Clinic by Health Sciences and Public Service Dean Tina Recalde and Professor Amanda Johnston; on Title III STEM E3: Equity, Excellence, & Exito by HSI Program Activity Manager Toni Parsons and Faculty Lead, Title III Grant, Amanda Fusco Hernandez; on the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Grant by Dean of Social/Behavioral Sciences and Multicultural Studies Pearl Ly; and on Pride Center by Pride Center Adjunct Counselor Coordinator Lucio Lira.
  • Heard public comment from student Grace Luzbetak who spoke about the District’s December removal of its mask mandate; from Professor Donna Budzynsaky who shared about the California Virtual Campus and online STEM; from student David Mariner who spoke about the District’s student email policy; from nine employees who requested vaccine mandates for students be re-implemented when masks are no longer required; and from AFT Guild President Jim Mahler who congratulated Trustees Arroyo, Milgrim and Nieto Senour for being reelected to the Board of Trustees. City College Academic Senate (AS) President Maria-Jose Zeledon-Perez shared that November is Native American Heritage Month, a Hunger Action Day was held, Veterans Day events, as was an event focused on understanding the needs of City College’s LGBTQIA+ employees. She continued that Director of Student Financial Aid Wendy Wang received an award from the California Association of Financial Aid Administrators, that many were busy attending conferences, and that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) plenary was held last weekend. Mesa College AS President John Crocitti reported that the Mesa College AS also participated in the ASCCC plenary and was active in supporting resolutions on Ethnic Studies, Lifelong Learning and other topics and that he is proud of the role played by faculty members individually and collectively. Miramar College AS President Pablo Martin shared that the college recently completed its land acknowledgment and credited Laura González for her leadership. He said the ASCCC plenary was excellent and that he was pleased to see so many equity resolutions. He reported that efforts to build community at Miramar College have thrived during President Wes Lundburg’s time at the college and that progress is being made to break down silos.
  • Adopted revisions to Chapter 2 – Board of Trustees Board Policies, Chapter 3 – General Institution, and Chapter 6 – Business and Fiscal Services (first readings) as part of a comprehensive six-year review to ensure currency following comments by Executive Assistant to the Chancellor Margaret Lamb, and vice chancellors Greg Smith, Bonnie Dowd, and Joel Peterson.
  • Adopted resolutions reaffirming that the state of emergency declared by the Board on March 12, 2020, continues and that state or local officials continue to impose or recommend social distancing measures; and regarding the use of native plants throughout the District.
  • Approved the Board Meeting Schedule for January 2023 through June 2023.
  • Approved the appointment of Evonne Seron Schulze (nominated by Trustee Mary Graham) to the Trustee Advisory Council (TAC); and Linda Zintz to the Propositions S and N Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
  • Approved new or revised courses and programs following comments by Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Susan Topham.
  • Authorized an agreement with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs.
  • Heard a report on the 2022-2025 Student Equity Plans for City, Mesa, Miramar and Continuing Education colleges by Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Susan Topham and Vice Presidents of Student Success Marciano Perez (City), Larry Maxey (Mesa), Adrian Gonzales (Miramar) and College of Continuing Education Acting Dean of Student Equity Tavaris Franklin.
  • Accepted a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) at City College following comments by City College President Ricky Shabazz.
  • Accepted grants from the Foundation for Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community Colleges for Strong Workforce Program Job Placement Case Management project, the College-Based Marketing Project, and the Prior Learning Project at City College, for the Federal Work-Study program award at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and for Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants program at Miramar College.
  • Approved a modification to the agreement between the Research Triangle Institute and Miramar College.
  • Accepted grants from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for State Fiscal Recovery Funds – Emergency Financial Assistance for California Community College Students at City, Mesa, Miramar and Continuing Education colleges,
  • Authorized travel for the Mesa College Department of Languages study abroad program to Cusco, Peru from January 3-27, 2023; for Mesa College Fashion Field Studies students to attend the Women’s Wear Daily MAGIC Conference in Las Vegas between February 12-16, 2023, and for the Mesa College Fashion Program study abroad program in Florence, Italy between June 1-24, 2023.
  • Approved purchase orders completed during September 2022; the 2022-23 First Quarter Financial Report; the District’s participation in the San Diego County Investment Pool; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after November 10, 2022.

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