San Diego Community College District

Special Report to the Public:

Geysil Arroyo

Trustee Geysil Arroyo said that it was great to be back in person, especially after recovering from Covid last month, which she said she was thankful to have been vaccinated against. She stated that she was glad to hear that so many students had returned to campus, adding that in her position at San Diego State University, she has enjoyed seeing students in person. She wished everyone a great fall semester. Trustee Arroyo thanked those who made public comment.

Mary Graham

Trustee Mary Graham thanked those who share thoughts, feelings, and concerns with the Board, and said it helps with important dialogue in the decision-making process. She said that she’s enjoying being back in-person with students again, and she welcomed back everyone after a rough couple of years. She reminded others to be kind to each other and to find joy in the students we work with.

Craig Milgrim

Trustee Craig Milgrim noted that on the meeting agenda, under section 13 (Budget and Finance), more than $3.9 million in funding would be approved by the Board, and he thanked those who bring in the money, then manage it. He reported that City College was renewing its Upward Bound grant, which was especially close to his heart after participating in the program as a counselor as a 19-year-old college sophomore, and recognized, that as the only white person in attendance, it was a pivotal and formative experience. He reported that he got to spend some time with SDCCE President Tina M. King while visiting the college’s North City Campus, receiving a tour from Dean Michelle Gray, and Cesar Chavez Campus, receiving a tour from Senior Office Manager Diana Romero and Dean Cassandra Storey, where he noted the intentional architectural aspects behind the building. He said he’s looking forward to visiting the West City and Mid-City campuses in the future.

Bernie Rhinerson

Trustee Bernie Rhinerson commented in response to a public comment regarding advertising at sporting events, stating he thinks it’s a good idea and asked that the chancellor look into options. He said that he was excited to hear reports from Student Trustee Bethea and the Academic Senate Presidents and was pleased by their mentions of students being back on campuses. He said that he attended the August 13 SDCCE Exploration Days at the Educational Cultural Center and commented on the diversity of those students and community members in attendance, which was a reflection of everything the college has to offer. He reported that he talked with community member Dwayne Hill who often attends Board Meetings and is an amazing representative to connect youth of southeastern San Diego with colleges, and he met with a representative from immigrant services whom mentioned an uptick in immigrant students. He reported that he attended City College’s Convocation, where he said he was impressed with Rafael Alvarez who shared about the college’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program and the idea of a culture that pushes si se puede (yes we can), but overlooks si se como – the “how.” Trustee Rhinerson said he sees the District as providing the “how” for students to have a better life. He reported that on Friday he would be participating in the Friends of Downtown golf tournament to support scholarships. He said in November, Measure U, a bond initiative for San Diego Unified School District, would be on the ballot to help provide K-12 classrooms with modern infrastructure. He reported that in 2023 the Board will start planning for a District bond measure for the 2024 ballot to help continue the transformation of facilities, including athletic facilities.

Dr. Maria Nieto Senour

Trustee Maria Nieto Senour reported she attended the recent retreats for both the Board of Trustees (held July 22) and Cabinet (held August 12), attended the press conference with Representative Scott Peters on August 3 at Miramar College to accept federal grant money for a districtwide zero-cost textbook program, and attended the credit college Convocations along with Chancellor Carlos Cortez and AFT President Jim Mahler.

Chancellor Carlos Cortez  started his report by announcing that on August 26, the Friends of Downtown Golf Tournament will host its annual golf tournament with proceeds from the event benefiting City College students. He shared that several members of the Board of Trustees will join President Ricky Shabazz on the green and/or at the event reception. He mentioned that the facilities improvement project for the Science Building at City College that the Board would consider during the meeting, and thanked the faculty and classified professionals who brought the need for improvement to the District's attention; and announced that Mesa College President Ashanti Hands has been selected as an Aspen Institute New President Fellow. He reported that for a third year, Miramar College has been selected by the California Energy Commission to receive $1.8 million in funding to administer the Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Training Enhancement Program and that the Employee Training Institute (ETi) won a contract with the Naval Special Warfare Command in the amount of $276,825 to provide customized vocational training. He shared special recognition for employees districtwide who are involved in the student onboarding process and wished all employees and students a wonderful fall semester. 

Dr. Carlos O. Cortez

Continuing his report, Chancellor Cortez shared that AB 1719, which would allow the District to access federal low income housing dollars to build housing for employees, has moved out of Senate Appropriations to the full Senate for a vote. He reported that he and other members of the Chancellor's Cabinet have been taking advantage of the August recess to meet with city, county, state, and federal elected officials to advocate for the interests of the District and that the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association (SDICCCA) was awarded the K-16 Collaborative Grant in the amount of $18 million to advance workforce development opportunities for students, including paid internships for students. He concluded his report by thanking President Joe Biden for his action on student loan debt and all his efforts to reduce the costs of higher education for students. 

Diego Bethea

Student Trustee Diego Bethea reported that City College’s Convocation went well, and that multiple events have been held since the semester start, including for Black students on Thursday, AAPI students on Wednesday, and Chicano and Latinx students on Tuesday. He reported that the Mesa College Student Affairs was holding outreach events to reach students, including an upcoming fall 2022 Club Rush, scholarship workshops where those in attendance automatically get $100, a Reflect, Restore, Unite Awareness Week, and an All Student Government-hosted What’s Poppin’ With the Prez meet-and-greet event with Mesa College’s new president, Ashanti Hands, and ASG members. He also said there was a Black student meet-and-greet event held Wednesday, and the Pride Center will open in the fall. Student Trustee Bethea reported that at Miramar College a press conference was held on August 3 to accept federal grant money from Representative Scott Peters for a districtwide zero-cost textbook program and on August 18 a Jump Start event was held for students, and a resource fair was held Tuesday and Wednesday. At the College of Continuing Education, he reported that Exploration Days was held for the community on August 9, August 13, and August 16.

BOARD ACTIONS

At its regular meeting of August 25, 2022, which was conducted in a hybrid format, the Board of Trustees:

Announced from Closed Session the Board’s unanimous decision regarding the termination of two District Office classified professionals.
Heard public comment  from Caryn White, a classified professional at the District Office, on a Closed Session agenda item. Todd Williams asked that CDC, not just County Health, guidelines are referenced when setting Covid-19 policies, and that the Board set policy that would continue to make available to all employees specific Covid-19-related sick time. Nancy Schumaker, a retired District employee, and Paul Hubka, Police Officer Association President, addressed the Board regarding an ongoing issue involving some department members, CalPERS, and Social Security. City College Academic Senate (AS) President Maria-Jose Zeledon-Perez said she is excited to be back on campus, where a Welcome Week was held for employees and students and included celebrations for Latinx/Chicanx students and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students, and Black students each of which had a large turnout. Mesa College AS President John Crocitti reported the college held its Convocation on August 18. Mesa College held its first Olympian Olympics where student athletes divided into teams and competed in athletic challenges outside of their chosen sport; he said it was a marvelous display of diversity and inclusion and showed how athletics can offer students a chance to build good character through sports while also preparing students for transfer. He said there is a need to update athletic facilities and asked that any policies in place that prohibit advertising at campus athletic events be reconsidered as a way to help raise money for those programs and facilities. Miramar College AS President Pablo Martin said he was proud of the District’s accomplishments in relation to enrollment, which is higher than the statewide average, acknowledging that efforts were made to reach out to all students particularly those who typically fall between the cracks. More than 200 students and faculty attended the college’s pre-semester start Jet’s Kickoff event. On Wednesday, the campus hosted its first College Hour, which brought a great vibe to campus where, he said, he saw many students hanging out, talking to each other, and bringing a great vibe to campus.
Adopted revisions to Chapter 1 – The District and Chapter 2 – Board of Trustees Board Policies (first reading July 21, 2022) as part of a comprehensive six-year review to ensure currency.
Adopted a resolution 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 agreed that, with the District fully resuming in person operations, the Board of Trustees should fully resume its public meetings with open access for all individuals interested in attending in person, beginning with the September 15, 2022, meeting. Some presenters will still participate via Zoom, and public meetings will continue to be broadcast on YouTube so all interested individuals can watch the meetings online.
Following public comment from Director of Disability Support Programs & Services (DSPS) Poppy Fitch, adopted a resolution supporting reproductive health.
Approved the removal of Luis Barrios, Ralph Dimarucut, Ricardo Flores, Carol Kim, Terra Lawson-Remer, Fayaz Nawabi, Jared Quient, and Sid Voorakkara from the Trustee Advisory Council (TAC) with appreciation for their advice and support. Several TAC members were reappointed including Rebekah Hook-Held; Jeff Marston; Alberto Ochoa; Olivia Puentes-Reynolds; Martha Rañon; Gary Rotto; Cecil Steppe; Mark Tran; and David Valladolid. Moving forward, TAC members will serve the same terms as the Board Member who appoints them.
Authorized an agreement with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs; and accepted the 2021-22 Program Self-Evaluation (PSE) for the Child Development Centers at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges.
Authorized the designation of September 15-19, 2022, as Constitution Day at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges and the College of Continuing Education.
Adopted amendments to the 2020-2025 Memorandum of Understanding with the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) formalizing the educational partnership relationship between SDCCD and SDUSD.
Authorized the submission of a 2022-23 COVID-19 Emergency Conditions Allowance Application and Emergency Conditions Recovery Plan to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, following comments by Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Susan Topham.
Heard a report from Vice Chancellor Susan Topham on the San Diego Promise program with support from deans Luke Menchaca and Genevieve C. Esguerra, Research and Planning Analyst Jaime S. Seiverd, Project Assistant Makayla Srioudom, San Diego Promise Retention Counselor Randy Claros, and Student Services Technician Meredith McGill.
Accepted a grant, following comments by Vice Chancellor of Facilities Joel Peterson, from Funders Together to End Homelessness San Diego for housing planning.
Accepted grants, following comments by Miramar College President Wes Lundburg from the California Energy Commission for the Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Training Enhancement Program at San Diego Miramar College; from the U.S. Department of Education for the TRIO Upward Bound Grant at San Diego City College; following comments by SDCCE President Tina M. King, from Naval Special Warfare Command for the SDCCE Foundation Employee Training Institute at San Diego College of Education; and, following comments by Vice Chancellor Susan Topham, from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for the Perkins Reserve Innovation grant.
Entered into agreements, following comments by City College President Ricky Shabazz with San Diego Workforce Partnership for the Alcohol and Other Drug Studies program at City College; with Altus Affiliated Schools (dba The Charter School of San Diego) to continue the dual enrollment agreement for 2022-23 with an additional course; and with the San Miguel Fire Protection District for fire in-service training at Miramar College.
Approved agreements with Bayside Community Center; and with Jacob Healthcare Center for use by San Diego College of Continuing Education.
Authorized the use of income generated from existing long-term ground leases for districtwide maintenance, operations and consulting costs, and legal fees related to maintenance and operations.
Entered into agreements with ACCO Engineered Systems for HVAC upgrades at the City College Science Building and at the District Office.
Approved the reorganization of duties and work at the District Office following comments by Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Greg Smith.
Consideration of projects to be included in the District’s five-Year Capital Construction Plan subject to revisions and requirements as issued by the CCCCO.
Approved various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after August 26, 2022; the District’s Report of Participation in the San Diego County Investment Pool for the period ending December 31, 2021 and purchase orders completed during June 2022.