San Diego Community College District

Special Report to the Public:

Mary Graham

Trustee Mary Graham reported that, along with trustees Geysil Arroyo and Maria Nieto Senour, as well as Acting Chancellor Gregory Smith and City College President Ricky Shabazz, she attended the Community College League of California Annual Trustee Conference from May 5-7 in Monterey. She said during a session on Public Records Acts requests she learned about the Brown Act and the potential for violations on social media and asked that SDCCD Director of Legal Services Ljubisa Kostic investigate the rules and report back to the Board. Trustee Graham also reported that, along with Trustee Senour, she serves on the Board Subcommittee on Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness for Student Equity and Inclusion, which recently met with the accreditation leads from each credit-college, and she thanked vice chancellors Michelle Fischthal and Susan Topham and hundreds of those who participated in self-studies throughout the District. She recognized Mesa College Academic Senate (AS) President John Crocitti for his college’s Institutional Self Evaluation Report (ISER), which highlights the need for a testing center at Mesa College, and thanked Miramar College AS President Pablo Martin for taking the opportunity for reflection. She reported that, along with Trustee Milgrim, she would serve on the search committee for a new chancellor and would soon be asking for committee participants from amongst the District’s various participatory governance groups.

Craig Milgrim

Trustee Craig Milgrim shared that with his background as a biology instructor at Grossmont College for 27 years he continues to stay involved in the science world and recently was chosen to participate in the American Association for the Advancement of Science Multidisciplinary Working Group where he is the only community college representative (learn more about the AAAS here). He hopes to make an impact by showing sector representatives the important impact community colleges have in the sciences, including when he presents next week on the Use of Credit and Non-credit to Strengthen the STEM Workforce. He said he will borrow from College of Continuing Education’s North City information technology program, as well as MiraCosta’s biotechnology associate degree as examples of contributing programs.

Bernie Rhinerson

Trustee Bernie Rhinerson shared that he is working with Kay Faulconer Boger to reimagine the mission and add to the membership of the District Corporate Council, and they recently met with longtime active members Phil Blair and Rene McKee. He said there will be a Corporate Council meeting on May 12 at Miramar College’s Regional Entrepreneur Center (REC) Lab and that Interim Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, Daisy Gonzales, will also be in attendance after the two attend together the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast beforehand.

Dr. Maria Nieto Senour

Trustee Maria Nieto Senour presented 2022-23 Student Trustees Diego Bethea (City College), Phoebe Truong (Mesa College), Allen Kuo (Miramar College), and Julia Kogan (College of Continuing Education) with plaques commemorating their service to the Board and District.

Gregory Smith

Acting Chancellor Gregory Smith reported that Governor Gavin Newsom will release the May revision to his 2023-2024 budget proposal on May 12, and that the District continues to advocate in the budget for a fully funded cost of living adjustment to our base funding and categorical programs and funding for community college housing programs. He said the expected final budget will be approved by the Legislature by June 15. Acting Chancellor Smith reported that he President Tina King and Director of Communications Jack Beresford met May 11 with Assemblymember David Alvarez to advocate for Assembly Bill 634, which would change attendance accounting and result in greater funding for career development and college preparation courses. He said the District is grateful for Assemblymember Alvarez’s leadership on AB 91, which would provide individuals experiencing poverty and living with 45 miles of the Mexico border the ability to attend San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association (SDICCCA) area colleges without paying nonresident tuition.

Acting Chancellor Smith thanked the student trustees for their service and leadership in advocating for their peers. He said District commencements begin with Miramar College on May 19 and he congratulated those students completing their academic programs this semester and thanked faculty and classified professionals for their support. He also recognized Executive Assistant to the Chancellor Margaret Lamb for her recognition as one of the San Diego Business Journal’s top 50 administrative professionals of the year, and Vice Chancellor Laurie Coskey for being selected to serve on the UC San Diego Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board for the 2024-2027 term. Acting Chancellor Smith also shared his report with Vice Chancellor Joel Peterson who provided an update on the Police Advisory Committee and status of the District’s exploration of a 2024 bond.

Allen Kuo

Student Trustee Allen Kuo reported that the City College Associated Students passed a resolution supporting an end to oil drilling and held a forum on May 3 for candidates running for office. He said on May 16 City College will hold a cap and gown decorating event in collaboration with the Outreach team. At Mesa College, he reported there were several Black Student Success Week events including the Black CommUNITY Cookout on April 27. He said the Associated Student Government passed a resolution in support of a land acknowledgement with the Kumeyaay people and hosted various events for Teacher Appreciation Week between May 8-12. Student Trustee Kuo reported that Miramar College will host its commencement on May 19, the AS was invited on May 5 to talk about community colleges at Poway High School, and the college held its end-of-the-year Promise celebration on May 4. He said the summer schedule for College of Continuing Education now is available and there are various Asian American and Pacific Islander month events being held.

BOARD ACTIONS

At its regular meeting of May 11, 2023, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:

- Approved the following actions from Closed Session: adopted the Resource Allocation Formula (RAF) Tentative Agreements for 2023-2026 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; and the Executive Management Unit.

- Heard public comment from student Vincent Ghio who urged the Board to bring in a vendor to provide mobile ticketing for general and athletic events. Mesa College AS President John Crocitti reported that, one of his long-time goals for the AS was the establishment of a testing center at Mesa College, and yesterday he received assurances that it would open in time for the fall 2023 semester. He said Erica Higginbotham deserves considerable credit for helping make this happen, as does the Academic Affairs committee which conducted a survey confirming the need for a testing center. Additionally, he said the Associated Student government agreed it would benefit students and Vice President of Student Services Larry Maxey and President Ashanti Hands each supported the project. He concluded by sharing this was his last report to the Board, he thanked the Board members for their respect and courtesy. Miramar College AS President Pablo Martin shared that progress has been made on the college’s accreditation report. He said a technology survey was conducted, the first in years, and he thanked Lisa Munoz for helping address some of the concerns. He also reported continuing collaborative efforts to revisit processes to make sure they are equitable and fair to everybody. He said they have developed a Participatory Governance Academy to build community and a PGA workgroup.

- Adopted a revision to a Chapter 3 – General Institution Board Policy (first reading 4/27) and revisions to a Chapter 3 – General Institution, Chapter 4 – Instructional Services (first reading), and Chapter 5 Student Services (first reading) board policies as part of a comprehensive six-year review to ensure currency.

- Adopted a resolution affirming the Board of Trustee’s commitment to and support for Assembly Bill 927 (Medina) as passed.

- Adopted new or revised courses and programs following comments by Vice Chancellor Susan Topham.

- Authorized an agreement with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs.

- Authorized Acting Chancellor Gregory Smith to sign and execute any and all documents required by the Department of Rehabilitation relating to College 2 Career (C2) and WorkAbility III programs.

- Heard a report on the 2023-2024 General Fund Unrestricted Preliminary Budget from Vice Chancellor Kelly Hall, noting that this is a budget that the District develops informally each year so that there can be faculty input prior to the end of the semester. Board members were pleased to note the progress that has been made in ensuring a balanced budget despite many challenges.

- Following a public hearing, approved the Educational Protection Account Funding and Expenditure Plan (Proposition 30) for 2022-2023 following comments by Acting Chancellor Gregory Smith who outlined how Proposition 30 funds were used in the District’s budget, indicating that the funds were used 100% for instruction.

- Accepted grants from the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency for the Mental Health Services Act at City College; from San Diego Housing Commission for the Program for Engaged Educational Resources at City College; and from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for the Human Services Program at City College to establish a Regional Equity and Recovery Partnership, for the districtwide Student Equity and Achievement Program, and for districtwide Retention and Enrollment Outreach.

- Accepted a grant from the CCCCO for State Fiscal Recovery Funds – Emergency Financial Assistance for California Community College Students at City, Mesa, Miramar

- Entered into agreement with the City of Santee Fire Department to provide annual In-Service training at Miramar College.

- Entered into a professional services agreement with KNN Public Finance, LLC.

- Entered into agreements with Willock Contracting, Inc., for the Child Development Center Demolition and Site Improvements project at City College; with GQ Builders, Inc., for the paint project at the District Office; with Innovations DBA Advanced Electrical Innovations for the A-200 Building electrical upgrades project at Miramar College; and with MarCon Engineering, Inc., for the Water Bottle Filling Stations project at Miramar College.

- Entered into an energy service agreement with ACCO Engineered Systems for HVAC replacement throughout the District.

- Approved the addition of Strategic Energy and Environment Planning projects to each of the District college’s Strategic Facilities Master Plans as Propositions S and N projects.

- Authorized the development of a District Facilities Strategic Plan in alignment with those developed at the colleges.

- Approved the reappointment of Elizabeth Armstrong to the Propositions S and N Citizens’ Oversight Committee.

- Heard a quarterly report of the budgeted expenses to actuals.

Heard a report on the districtwide Honors Program from Dean Shelly Hess, and coordinators Kelly Mayhew and Sarah Pitcher.

Approved purchase orders completed during April 2023; the 2022-23 Third Quarter Financial Report; the District’s Report of Participation in the San Diego County Investment Pool; salary schedules for Executive Management, Management Association, and Police Officers Association; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after May 12, 2023.