San Diego Community College District

Special Report to the Public:

Geysil Arroyo

Trustee Geysil Arroyo wished everyone a great Latinx Heritage Month, and encouraged everyone to participate in the various events being held by the colleges. She reported that she attended the August 31 convocation for the San Diego College of Continuing Education, which she noted was President Tina M. King’s first in her position and that Julia Kogan, the college’s first Student Trustee, spoke at the event. She also reported that she attended the September 14 LEAD San Diego Visionary Awards where Chancellor Emerita Constance M. Carroll was recognized, and she was happy to be present among such a great crowd, which included County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher.

Mary Graham

Trustee Mary Graham commented that she hopes everyone’s semester is off to a good start. She thanked the Academic Senate presidents for their reports and acknowledged they, along with Associated Students, are partners in governance with the Board of Trustees, and said that all those voices are critical to success. She also thanked the Supervisory and Professional Administrators Association (SPAA) leadership for voicing concern about employee health and said that she agreed burnout is an issue that should not be dismissed.

Craig Milgrim

Trustee Craig Milgrim echoed Trustee Graham’s sentiments about SPAA’s concerns, and said that he hopes a solution can be reached to help support employee health. He reported that he attended the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council Annual Dinner on August 22, and noted that it was filled with many local and state figures, and he really enjoyed the event. He also said that on September 21 he will attend the City College Pride Meet & Greet event.

Bernie Rhinerson

Trustee Bernie Rhinerson reported that he attended the City College and Friends of Downtown Golf Tournament, where he played with Vice President of Administrative Services John Parker, on August 26. He said that a great video was released afterward that highlighted the impact of the organization on the surrounding community and the importance of the upwards of $20,000 raised during the event that goes toward student scholarships. He reported that he continues to follow up on the partnership between the California Masonic Foundation and Miramar College, and said that Masonic President Doug Ismail continues to praise the work of the college. He said that he will have a future meeting with the Masonic organization and SDUSD Trustee Richard Barrera to find ways in which the philanthropic institution can help support getting students into career pathways at an earlier age. Trustee Rhinerson reported that he will attend the Miramar College Invest In Success fundraiser event on October 2 at the Bali Hai restaurant. He concluded by recognizing the work done by Director of Communications Jack Beresford on two recent mailers for both the San Diego Promise and enrollment marketing, noting that the creativity of these pieces is helping get the message of the District and its services out into the public.

Dr. Maria Nieto Senour

Trustee Maria Nieto Senour reported that she attended many of the same events her colleagues spoke of and said that she hoped everyone’s semester was off to a good start.

Dr. Carlos O. Cortez

Chancellor Carlos Cortez reported that a delegation of SDCCD students and employees are on their way to Ghana to attend the All Africa Diaspora Conference from September 16-26. He said City College President Ricky Shabazz has been appointed to the Civic Core Revitalization Citizen’s Committee. He congratulated Mesa College Vice President of Instruction Isabel O’Connor for her selection as a Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities 2022 fellow as part of the Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo. Chancellor Cortez reported that Miramar College Math Department Chair Ann Gloag appeared on a recent EdSource podcast, and subsequent article, where she discussed efforts to eliminate remedial classes in California community colleges. He applauded the College of Continuing Education for its convocation and luncheon, which included several performances that showcased the rich diversity of the community. In relation to the implementation of the District Strategic Plan, Chancellor Cortez reported that constituents will meet this fall to identify short-term and long-term activities to realize the six goals and encouraged participation from the community. Regarding legislation, Chancellor Cortez reported that there are dozens of bills that would impact California community colleges that are sitting on the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom and the District is watching closely. He said that he and Director of Communications Jack Beresford have been meeting with all San Diego Congressmembers, state legislators, supervisors and council members to advocate for the interests of the District. He concluded by recognizing Chancellor Emerita Constance M. Carroll for the well-deserved honor of being given the Neill Morgan Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement by the San Diego Chamber of Commerce during the LEAD San Diego Visionary Awards.

Alan Kuo

Student Trustee Alan Kuo reported that City College is holding a Pride Meet & Greet on September 21, there is a push to bring more awareness to mental health issues, and resources are being made available to students. He reported that City College Associated Students Executive Board positions have been selected and a regular meeting is being held from 3-4 p.m. on Mondays. He reported that the Mesa College Honors Center opened, and that all student government meetings are held weekly from 12:45-1:45 p.m. on Wednesdays. Student Trustee Kuo reported that the Miramar Foundation will hold the Invest In Success fundraiser event on October 2. He said that the college Associated Students elected 12 new senators for a total of 20 members, which is the college’s largest to-date, and they now are holding weekly meetings from 9-11 a.m. on Fridays. He reported that a newly implemented a College Hour event from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday has seen good student turnout with lots of engagement. He reported that 20 clubs have registered on campus, which he said shows students are engaging in campus life. Student Trustee Kuo reported that the College of Continuing Education held its convocation in-person this year, and that students started new classes on September 5, with some classes having wait lists.

BOARD ACTIONS

At its regular meeting of September 15, 2022, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:

Heard public comment from SPAA President Dan Gutowski, who shared concern over employee health due to burnout because of attrition and low staffing levels that have some supervisors taking on greater workloads. He said that, while some positions have started to get filled, he hopes that it takes place equitably across the District. City College Academic Senate (AS) President Maria Jose Zeledon-Perez shared her excitement that lots of good options are being provided for students to ensure they have access to the courses they need and that Latinx Heritage Month started with a Latinx panel. She reported that the college has been designated “Military Friendly” and that a Pride Open House and Meet and Greet will be held September 21. Mesa College AS President John Crocitti reported the AS held its first meeting of the year this week with President Ashanti Hands attending. He also shared that the college held a Constitution Day event today with a timely focus on voting rights and that Latinx Heritage Month is underway. He concluded by saying an enrollment management task force will be holding its first meeting tomorrow with 50 or more volunteering to participate. Miramar College AS President Pablo Martin reported the college is off to a good start with College Hour being held and lots of effort being put forth by faculty, classified professionals and administrators. He shared that the AS had a great first meeting and that an Undocumented-Ally training session will be held next week.
Adopted revisions to Chapter 3 – General Institution and Chapter 5 – Student Services Board Policies as part of a comprehensive six-year review to ensure currency following comments by Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Susan Topham.
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.
Reviewed the results the Board of Trustees’ self-evaluation for 2021-22. The Board members thanked all who participated in providing feedback regarding the Board’s performance and accomplishments as they continue to evaluate their accomplishments of the last year. The Board members deferred the setting of goals for 2022-23 until the Sept. 29 meeting.
Approved new or revised courses and programs, and authorized an agreement with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs.
Approved the San Diego College of Continuing Education Strategic Master Plan for 2022-2029 following a presentation by College of Continuing Education President Tina M. King.
Conducted a public hearing and approved the SDCCD 2022-2023 Adopted Budget following a presentation from Executive Vice Chancellor of Business and Technology Services Bonnie Ann Dowd. The total budget is $992,272,212, including $557,016,806 in General Fund Unrestricted and Restricted operational funds. Board members expressed appreciation for the fact that planned budget adjustments ensure the budget is balanced. The budget had been thoroughly reviewed by the Board’s Budget Study and Audit Committee (Trustees Milgrim and Rhinerson).
Following comments by Executive Vice Chancellor of Business and Technology Services Bonnie Ann Dowd, adopted a resolution to approve a Gann Appropriation limit equal to the appropriations subject-to limit for 2022-2023.
Authorized an agreement with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for the Middle College High School program partnership between East Village Middle College High School and City College; and with the U.S. Department of Education for the Title III – Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at City College; for the Title III – HSI-STEM and Articulation Program at Mesa College.
Entered into agreement with the San Diego State University Research Foundation in support of the Transnational Approaches to Sustainable Food Futures project at Mesa College.
Entered into agreements with the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges for Strong Workforce Program (SWP) development of a Credit for Prior Learning function at Miramar College; for activities related to the Faculty Institute Research Investment project at the College of Continuing Education; for SWP activities related to year 3 of the Student Retention, Persistence, and Completion research investment project at the College of Continuing Education; for activities related to the Sector – Logistics Phase 2 and Sector – Sales Phase 2 projects at the College of Continuing Education.
Accepted grants from the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation for the Healthcare Careers Program at the College of Continuing Education; and from the U.S. Department of Education for districtwide IT System Upgrades and Modernization for Online Learning Pathways.
Accepted grants from the CCCCO for districtwide Retention and Enrollment Outreach; for one-time Guided Pathways funding for the credit colleges; for districtwide Basic Needs Centers and Services; and for Veterans Resource Centers at the credit colleges.
Approved various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after September 16, 2022; and purchase orders completed during July 2022.