San Diego Community College District

Special Report to the Public:

Gregory Smith

Chancellor Gregory Smith reported that budget advocacy continues especially as it relates to the lack of acknowledgment around the critical role of community colleges in providing access to higher education for underserved communities, and he noted that nearly double the funding is invested for each UC student. He reported that, ahead of the February 16 deadline, 2,124 new bills were submitted between the Assembly and Senate, and noted several bills that would positively impact students and the SDCCD including AB 247, AB 1885, AB 1891, AB 1887, and AB 2007. Chancellor Smith recognized Vice Chancellor Joel Peterson, Lance Lareau, Steve Dow, Molly Solomon, Ryan Murphy, among others who have taken on the majority of the work necessary to assess the need and impact of a District facilities bond in November. He also reported that he attended the most recent Police Advisory Committee meeting and shared that a subcommittee continues to review the impact of tasers and will bring forth a report soon, and said that complaint reviews are being appraised with an eye toward making sure anyone with a concern in any aspect of Police operations has a safe and confidential way to raise concerns; a new online system is now in place for reporting and is being monitored by the People, Culture, and Technology and Educational Services departments.

Saigel Ghotra

Student Trustee Saigel Ghotra reported that at City College the Academic Senate is assisting with resolutions regarding permission codes in hopes to make it a smoother process for students; that Yo Soy STEM is planning student mixers throughout the semester; and the A2MEND conference took place March 6-8. She reported that Mesa College will host a Youth and Social PowWow on March 26, continues to host Women’s History Month celebrations, and held an inaugural Ajumma dance performance on March 8. She said Mesa College also participated in a Know Your Rights event conducted by the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office on March 12. Student Trustee Ghotra reported that Miramar College hosted The Sonic Connection Expo led by the Mental Health Department on March 11, she noted applications for ASG general elections are open and available until the first week of April, and The Women in Business Expo will take place on March 20. She reported that College of Continuing Education kicked off Women’s History Month by celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8 and ASB members participated in the college Accreditation meeting on March 12.

Board Actions

At its regular meeting of March 14, 2024, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:

- Conducted a campus meeting in a hybrid format with Miramar College that included welcome remarks from President Wesley Lundburg, Associated Student Government President Saigel Ghotra, Academic Senate President Pablo Martin, and Classified Senate President Malia Kunst; and presentations focused on “Cultivating a Campus of Care” including on Land Acknowledgment and the Native American Student Support Program from professors Carmen Carrasquillo, Bear Wolf, and Nessa Julian and student Emerald Arbezo; on Rising Scholars Program from Laura Pecenco and student Cody Risley; on Student Employment with Mona Patel and career ambassadors Kayla Ta and Rohan Bharadwaj; on Hispanic Serving Institutions and MESA programs from Ivan Valdovinos Gutierrez and student Kayla Kosirog; on building community in the classroom from Brenda Wilborn and students Bekhruz Subanov, Shawna Owens, Emily Arnold, Alyson Vincent, Daniel Wang, Richard Garcia, Kim Mana Quiambao, Samantha Mellott, and Whitney Anderson; a video on student clubs; and closing remarks and an activity by Olivia Flores.

- Heard public comment from Robbie Bowers who reported that March is National Athletic Training Month and recognized the 11 certified athletic trainers across the District, Daniel Villegas who advocated for a dedicated lab tech and more available studio time in the audio production and music programs, as well as updated technology at City and Miramar colleges, and Gerry Vanderpot and Neill Kovrig who spoke in favor of a 32-hour workweek. City College Academic Senate (AS) President María-José Zeledón-Pérez reported that the ASCCC Area D Academic Senate will be meeting next Friday and they will be active at the plenary with two resolutions. She read a resolution calling on the SDCCD to reaffirm the commitment to the protection of free speech and academic freedom in the face of censorship around Palestinian discourse. Mesa College AS President Andrew Hoffman thanked Board President Rhinerson for coming to the AS meeting. He also read a resolution pertaining to anti-Semitism. Miramar College AS President Pablo Martin shared that the accreditation visit went well with honest conversations on topics such as technology and basic needs. He credited Lisa Munoz, the college’s faculty technology liaison for ensuring faculty have the resources they need. He also thanked Chancellor Smith for a presentation earlier in the day on possible changes to the campus allocation model (CAM). He concluded by sharing that cross-campus constituency discussions on Assembly Bill 367. College of Continuing Education AS President Richard Weinroth said the college is very proud of a “spotless” accreditation review. He acknowledged Margarita Posner the accreditation planning co-chair who learned Microsoft SharePoint to showcase the college’s work as well as Eric Miller and Ingrid Greenberg who volunteered countless hours to provide a virtual visit and highlight the work of the instructors. CTE Professor Bradley Dorschel was also praised by the visiting team. He acknowledged all of the faculty, staff, deans and others who contributed to the success of the accreditation visit. He concluded by also acknowledging Chancellor Smith for his transparency in presenting on the budget.

- Adopted revisions to a Chapter 3 – General Institution Board Policy (first reading 2/22/24).

- Adopted resolutions in support of Senate Bil 895 (Roth) and Assembly Bill 2104 (Soria) Community Colleges Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program; and authorizing Finance and Business Services to make General Fund/Unrestricted budgetary and financial transfers effective April 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024.

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

- Accepted grants from the California Community Colleges Chancelor’s Office for the African American Male Education Development (A2MEND) at City College; and for the HireUp Pilot.

- Entered into agreements with the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to provide the Academy Instructor Certification Course at Miramar College, with California Department of Social Services for the General Child Care and Development Program at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, with California Department of Education for the California State Preschool Program at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges.

- Accepted grants for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity, Act Title II: Adult Education and Family Literacy Act at College of Continuing Education; and from California Community Colleges for the CalWORKS and TANF programs at College of Continuing Education.

- Adopted the Resource Allocation Formula (RAF) for the Management Association.

- Authorized a Community Benefits Agreement with the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council for future large-scale construction projects, following comments by Carol Kim, business manager for the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council, and 10 others who spoke about the agreement.

- Awarded a contract to PCL Construction Services for construction management services for upgrades of College of Continuing Education’s Educational Cultural Complex Theatre and associated spaces, following remarks from College of Continuing Education President Tina M. King, Vice Chancellor Joel Peterson, and PCL Construction Services Area Manager Lucas Mallory.

- Approved the nomination of Esther Anthony-Thomas (Student Services Assistant, College of Continuing Education) as the District’s nominee for the California Community Colleges Classified Employee of the Year Award for 2024, to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, following comments from SDCCE President King, Neill Kovrig, and Richard Weinroth.

- Heard a report on the Employee Climate Survey by Vice Chancellor Michelle Fischthal, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research Natalia Alarcon, and Research Analyst Jaime Sykes Seiverd.

- Approved purchase orders completed during February 2024; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after March 15, 2024.

- Board President Rhinerson adjourned the meeting in memory of Shirley Strong and Kathie Ness, who were both longtime District employees in the Board Office and recently passed away.

Prior to the regular meeting, the Board of Trustees held a special meeting during which the Board:
Entered into a repair contract with P. W. Stephens for asbestos abatement services at the College of Continuing Education Educational Cultural Complex Theatre.