Geysil Arroyo
Trustee Geysil Arroyo welcomed back everyone in the New Year, and thanked them for their commitment at the start of the semester to making sure students are able to have their best experience possible. She said that she attended two virtual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. events, with both the Alliance of San Diego and YMCA, and commended the organizers. She wished everyone a good semester, and said she is looking forward to seeing people in person soon.
Mary Graham
Trustee Mary Graham welcomed everyone back for the spring semester. She thanked those who commented during the meeting, and said governance only works when people participate. She also thanked Chancellor Cortez for the list of legislative items he discussed in his report on legislative issues, in particular AB 1187 which would increase student access to supervised tutoring, and said it is a positive movement toward getting the state to recognize that students are entitled to wraparound support. She said she echoed Trustee Arroyo’s comments on recent MLK events. Trustee Graham reported that the Board participated in the initial strategic planning process and encouraged everyone to participate, especially those who might not otherwise normally engage with the process. She reported that she and Trustee Arroyo have been part of the planning process for the May 31 Chancellor Investiture event, and participated with Trustee Senour in a meeting of the Accreditation, Student Equity and Success subcommittee ahead of the upcoming accreditation process. And wished everyone well at the start of Black History Month.
Craig Milgrim
Trustee Craig Milgrim thanked all employees for their patience, diligence, and dedication to students through the pandemic and leading up to the start of the spring semester. He also echoed Trustee Graham’s call to participate in the strategic planning process.
Bernie Rhinerson
Trustee Bernie Rhinerson wished everyone a happy New Year, and said he is ready for the pandemic to pass. He echoed his fellow Trustees offering gratitude to employees as the new semester begins under difficult circumstances. He reported that on January 29 he will attend the first meeting of the year of the Community College League of California’s (CCLC) Advisory Committee on Legislation. He also reported that he is serving on the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) technology committee, which is working with staff to bring in new technology to benefit trustees, including a learning management system, which would provide an easy education tool that is accessible to all trustees across the county, that will launch in the fall. He also said this process will eventually evolve into a technology providing best practices, which will provide insight into what colleges across the country are doing to benefit students, because it’s important to learn what others are doing in order to be the best trustees possible. Trustee Rhinerson wished everyone a successful semester, and said that he hopes graduation ceremonies and scholarship events can be in person this year.
Dr. Maria Nieto Senour
Trustee Maria Nieto Senour said that she participated in the January 10 San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association (SDICCCA) meeting, and in the Accreditation, Student Equity and Success subcommittee with Trustee Graham. She said that these past couple of years have been difficult. She appreciates the flexibility that people have shown as the District works toward its goal of keeping everyone safe while also delivering what students need to be successful.
Dr. Carlos O. Turner Cortez
Chancellor Carlos Cortez reported that on January 31, members of the Board of Trustees, student leaders, and executive administrators will participate in the District's annual Sacramento legislative lobbying day, coordinated by the Community College League of California. He reported that AB 1187 (Irwin), AB 1602 (McCarty), and AB 1719 (Ward) will be among the bills the District will be advocating for. With the state of California anticipating excess funding this year, he said the District is advocating for one-time funding to address long-term structural deficits in the budget, by prioritizing an increase to base funding, pension relief, instructional equipment, and deferred maintenance. He reported that the District is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the greater San Diego community, and as a precaution, the District made a decision over the winter break to shift most operations and instructional programming online for the month of January, including spring convocations that took place this week. He added that many courses that are scheduled to be offered in-person, on campus will be moved online for the first two weeks of February, and that most employees will be expected to return to work on campus full-time in early March as numbers continue to decrease. He thanked all employees and students for their commitment to the District’s success during difficult times. Chancellor Cortez reported that at the December 16 Board meeting, where the annual organizational meeting took place, he was asked to compose the Budget Study and Audit subcommittee, to which Trustees Milgrim and Rhinerson were appointed, and Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness for Student Equity and Inclusion (formerly the subcommittee on Accreditation, Student Equity and Success) to which Trustees Graham and Senour were appointed. He reported that City College, in partnership with tribal leaders from the Kumeyaay Nation, announced on Thursday their official land recognition, including a number of critical supports for Native American students, and thanked President Ricky Shabazz for his leadership on his efforts. Chancellor Cortez congratulated Mesa College President Pam Luster for being awarded the Olympian Spirit Lifetime Award. He reported that Miramar College Foundation received a $10,000 grant from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) in support of Fire Academy Scholarships, and that the College of Continuing Education started the design process for the renovation of its historic Education Cultural Complex theater. Chancellor Cortez encouraged everyone to engage in the public forums for the position of president at the College of Continuing Education. The forum date will be announced soon. He also recognized Vice Chancellor Chris Manis on his retirement after eight years of service with the District where he successfully oversaw the management of the $1.6 billion construction bond program, which provided new instructional and career training facilities and extensive modernizations, public safety and accessibility enhancements, parking and infrastructure projects at City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges; generated more than 10,000 prevailing wage jobs; and implemented vital sustainability practices. He reported that on Thursday, the Board of Trustees met with MIG to initiate the District’s strategic planning process, and he encouraged all employees, students, and community members to participate in the development process. Chancellor Cortez welcomed new students and wished all students and employees a productive spring semester.
Edward Borek
Student Trustee Edward Borek reported that all credit colleges held Convocation events this week. He shared that scholarships are still open, with most having applications due the middle of February, at all credit colleges. Student Trustee Borek provided a reminder that on-campus parking will be free in the spring semester, and anyone who purchased a permit already will be reimbursed. He also reported that at Mesa College, the theatre company is holding auditions. At Miramar College, Student Trustee Borek said a Welcome Back event was held outdoors on January 25 and provided tours to help familiarize students with the campus, as well as mental health activities and a club rush. He said the Miramar College Associated Student Government also passed a resolution on zero cost textbooks that will be shared with the Academic Senate. He reported that the United Student Council met and discussed the upcoming CCLC Annual Legislative Conference from January 30-31, and where Student Trustee Borek also introduced a resolution that was passed regarding student trustee compensation increases to make sure equitable practices are being followed when the rest of the Board receives increases.
BOARD ACTIONS
At its regular meeting of January 27, 2022, which was conducted in a virtual format, the Board of Trustees:
- Heard public comment from City College student Mary Planeta who said that she is seeking a religious exemption from the District vaccine mandate in order to be able to take classes that aren’t offered online and which she needs before transferring to a four-year university, and from Miramar College student Alexandria Gonzalez Poiset who received an email on January 12 saying she was no longer eligible for classes due to her vaccination status, which she said she felt was done in a manner that did not allow time to make an appeal. Mesa College AS President John Crocitti reported that the faculty is working to start the semester in as organized a manner as possible with a staggered return for some classes and others returning the week of February 22. Everyone is working together for the benefit of students. He ended his remarks expressing hope for an improved situation. Miramar College AS President Laura Murphy said that earlier in the day the college hosted its spring kickoff event followed by college and department meetings. The faculty continues to address issues created by the COVID pandemic including a drop in enrollment. They are focusing on Guided Pathways, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and program review.
- Following public comment from Matthew Poiset, who stated his opposition, adopted a resolution in compliance with Government Code section 54953(e), as amended (AB 361), allowing virtual meetings.
- Accepted the District’s 2020-21 Independent Auditor’s Reports, which were conducted by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. Audits for the five major funds in the District were provided: General Fund, Proposition S Fund, Proposition N Fund, the SDCC Auxiliary Organization, and the Social Security Alternative Plan. The Board’s Budget Study and Audit Subcommittee (Trustees Milgrim and Rhinerson) had reviewed the audits in depth with Executive Vice Chancellor Bonnie Dowd and Chancellor Carlos Cortez prior to the meeting. Auditor David Robydek addressed the Board regarding the audits. The audits were unmodified, and several findings were identified.
- Heard a presentation on the bond refunding for 2021 General Obligation Refunding Bond Sale (Propositions S and N) by Christen Gair of RBC Capital Markets and Executive Vice Chancellor Dowd, noting this effort has saved taxpayers $38.1 million, and a total of $308.6 million in combined savings through five refunding series since the sale of original bonds.
- Approved new or revised courses and programs following comments by Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Susan Topham.
- Authorized agreements with health care agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs; with the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Grant at San Diego City College; with the Foundation for Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District for the Strong Workforce Program (SWP) at Miramar College; and with the California Department of Social Services for Child Development programs at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges.
- Accepted grants from the U.S. Department of Education for the San Diego State University Hispanic-Serving Institution STEM and Articulation Program and for the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program at City College.
- Accepted a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the Biomedical Research and Research Training, IRACDA at City College.
- Authorized an amendment to the institutional contribution for the Federal Work Study program at Miramar College.
- Authorized the use of classrooms at America’s Finest Charter High School by the College of Continuing Education.
- Awarded a contract to Whillock Contracting, Inc. for the demolition of the E Building at City College.
- Approved purchase orders completed during November and December 2021; and the mileage reimbursement rate for employees who use their personal car for travel to 58.5 cents per mile, as established by the Internal Revenue Service; the sabbatical leave for an employee at City College for the spring 2022 semester; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after January 28, 2022.