Geysil Arroyo
Trustee Geysil Arroyo thanked those who made a public comment during the meeting. She also wished everyone a peaceful holiday season and reminded all to treat one another with respect and patience.
Mary Graham
Trustee Mary Graham said that it’s the season of a lot of events and she apologized for those she was unable to attend. She said that she attended the December 12 District Holiday Reception and commented that it was nice to see people relaxing together away from the office. Trustee Graham said she, along with Chancellor Cortez and Trustee Rhinerson, attended a December 8 event titled Antisemitism Today: A San Diego Town Hall with Mayor Todd Gloria where several disturbing statistics were shared about increased hate crimes, including antisemitism, anti-trans, and homophobic hate speech being perpetuated on social media. She echoed Trustee Arroyo’s sentiment to be kind, be patient, and be united with one another. Trustee Graham recognized those in Iran who are standing up for what they feel is unjust. She acknowledged Trustee Bernie Rhinerson’s diligence in fostering a relationship with the Scott A. and Elizabeth V. Christensen Charitable Foundation and helping secure funds for continued annual Board of Trustees scholarships.
Craig Milgrim
Trustee Craig Milgrim said that he echoed the Miramar College Academic Senate IT-related resolution and noted his concern with the college’s outdated hardware and software. He also wished everyone a pleasant winter solstice, saying that he looks forward to longer daylight hours, and a marvelous and safe 2023.
Bernie Rhinerson
Trustee Bernie Rhinerson said that he attended the antisemitism Town Hall event along with Chancellor Cortez and trustees Graham and Senour and shared concern with the data revealed during the event. He noted the Board has condemned antisemitism through past resolutions and continues to denounce such actions. He said that he attended the Mesa College NextUp FAST Center’s Winter Wishes event on December 8 where California Community Colleges acting Chancellor Daisy Gonzales shared her story of growing up in the foster system, and he said that it’s important to continue to support foster youth throughout the SDCCD. Trustee Rhinerson said that, due to a recent increase of hate speech, he is trying to ween off Twitter and encouraged others to think about doing the same. He said that on December 16 he will present the Board of Trustees scholarship checks to City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges and noted that over the past decade the Christensen Foundation has sponsored hundreds of student scholarships in excess of $100,000 to support students continuing their education in workforce careers. He also echoed his colleagues in wishing everyone a happy and restful holiday season.
Dr. Maria Nieto Senour
Trustee Maria Nieto Senour said that she was delighted to see Heidi Gantwerk, CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego, who spoke during the antisemitism Town Hall. She wished everyone a wonderful holiday season.
Dr. Carlos O. Cortez
Chancellor Carlos Cortez extend congratulations to Trustees Geysil Arroyo, Craig Milgrim, and Maria Nieto Senour on their re-election, noting that each was unchallenged in this election, which allowed the District to save approximately $360,000 in election costs. He said he was saddened not to be present. Chancellor Cortez reported the District hosted a retirement reception for Executive Vice Chancellor Bonnie Ann Dowd, who will retire at the end of January, and who will be recognized during the January Board meeting. He said that both City and Mesa colleges hosted a December 8 end-of-the-year birthday bash for NextUp program student members who are transitional-aged foster youth, and he noted attendees included administrators, faculty, managers, students, and California Community Colleges interim Chancellor Daisy Gonzales. Chancellor Cortez reported that City College President Ricky Shabazz has been active in his advocacy of the college's proposal for a new baccalaureate degree in cyber security. At Mesa College, he reported that the football team was the winner of the 2022 Southern California Bowl; and that Communications Studies Professor Das Nugent-Odasso was the recipient of the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association Wyman-Howe coaching award. Chancellor Cortez reported that at Miramar College Professor Gene Choe was given a commendation presented by Councilmember Chris Cate for his dedication to the Miramar College Diesel Technology Program and his students; and that the college also received its first Rising Scholars grant to support justice-involved students. At College of Continuing Education, he reported that West City Campus ASB hosted its Holiday Maker Party on December 8 where students crafted items to donate to local homeless shelters; Emeritus Professor Helena Wei held the college's Piano for Older Adults Holiday Concert on December 13; the Sam Price Family Foundation granted $10,000 to the SDCCE Foundation for student scholarships and awards with a focus on English as a Second Language (ESL) students; and the California Conservation Corps provided ETi with a $15,000 grant along with a designation as the deputy navigator sector for the college's Utility Arborist Program. Chancellor Cortez reported that California’s Department of Industrial Relations Division of Apprenticeship Standards authored formal approval of SDCCE Foundation’s Apprenticeship Readiness Program as a registered pre-apprenticeship with the State of California’s Division of Apprenticeship Standards. He said that along with President Shabazz and several Trustees, he attended the antisemitism Town Hall event. He reported that he and Director of Communications and Public Relations Jack Beresford are working with Chancellor’s Cabinet on the District's 2023 legislative and budgetary priorities. Chancellor Cortez concluded by sharing he authored an op-ed about the need for the State of California to update the Master Plan for Higher Education, which was published in CalMatters on December 15. He also shared his report with Vice Chancellor Joel Peterson who provided an update on the Police Advisory Committee.
Julia Kogan
Student Trustee Julia Kogan reported that City College held a November 10 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever screening for members of Puente, HUBU, Umoja, extended friends and family; World Cup watch parties between November 28 and December 2; a December 1 fall fest/study jam; a December 6 suicide prevention training offered in Spanish and English; and a December 14 holiday party. She reported that City College’s proposal for a bachelor’s degree program in cyber defense and analysis will be considered by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors in January. Student Trustee Kogan reported that at Mesa College, the Associated Students held its annual Thanksgiving feast on November 17 for nearly 500 students; the college’s Student Health Services and Associated Students hosted a Healing Circle and plan to make it a recurring event; the FAST Center hosted a Winter Wishes event with CCC acting Chancellor Daisy Gonzales in attendance; the Student Affairs team will host a blanket distribution; and the scholarship portal is now open with more than $180,000 available to students. Student Trustee Kogan reported that Miramar College hosted de-stressing events on December 12 and 13; and that Associated Student Government applications for the spring semester will open on January 3 with elections held February 10. She reported that fall classes at the three credit-colleges end December 17. For the College of Continuing Education, she reported that in November the Basic Needs Team distributed food and Thanksgiving gift cards and that Career Services hosted an Amazon hiring event, and in December the Chancellor’s Forum was held at the Educational Cultural Center, a meeting was held regarding opportunities between SDCCE and City College at Cesar Chavez Campus; and the ASB plans to host a winter celebration.
BOARD ACTIONS
At its regular meeting of December 15, 2022, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees.
Announced from the Closed Session that the Board denied the Appeal of the Administrative Determination of a Title 5 Complaint. Board President Senour stated that the board reaffirms its commitment as stated in its previous resolution against antisemitism. The board will work with staff to provide ongoing education and to promote community healing with respect to antisemitism and other forms of discrimination.
Administered the Oath of Office to re-elected Trustees Maria Nieto Senior as administered by San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera; to Craig Milgrim as administered by California State Assemblymember Chris Ward; and to Geysil Arroyo as administered by San Diego Unified School District Board Member Richard Barrera.
Heard public comment from Dora Meza, Tracey Kiser, Kirk Webley, Joanna Aud, Ramiro Hernandez, and Patty Stottlemyer who spoke about District vaccine policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and from Daniel Villegas who asked for support of the music programs at City and Miramar colleges. Mesa College Academic Senate (AS) President John Crocitti shared that the AS approved a resolution to express specific concerns about the implementation of the Emergency Conditions Allowance and that the AS is calling on the statewide academic senate to adopt a similar resolution at the spring plenary. He also wished everyone happy holidays and a prosperous 2023. Miramar College AS President Pablo Martin expressed thanks to Chancellor Cortez for his commentary in CalMatters, which supports expansion of the Community College Baccalaureate and shared an update on two IT-related resolutions. He reported that the AS is now offering three different scholarships and actively addressing the current state of emergency so meetings can continue safely. He concluded by saying the college will be submitting a proposal to the state chancellor’s office for a new baccalaureate program in fire safety.
Adopted revisions to several Chapter 2 – Board of Trustees, Chapter 3 – General Institution, and Chapter 6 – Business and Fiscal Services Board Policies as part of a comprehensive six-year review to ensure currency.
Conducted the Board’s Annual Organizational Meeting:
1. Electing Trustee Maria Nieto Senour as President of the Board;
2. Electing Trustee Mary Graham as Executive Vice President of the Board;
3. Appointing Chancellor Carlos Cortez as Secretary to the Board;
4. Appointing Trustees Geysil Arroyo as Vice President for Public Health Advocacy, Craig Milgrim as Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Bernie Rhinerson as Vice President for Legislative Advocacy.
5. Discussing matters of policy or function as determined by the Board; and announced
that the Chancellor has made the following a subcommittee appointments based on responses
to a request from November 3 board retreat: Research, Planning, and Institutional
Effectiveness for Student Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee (Senour, Graham); Board
Budget Study and Audit Subcommittee (Milgrim, Rhinerson); Board Self-Evaluation Subcommittee
(Senour, Arroyo); Chancellor's Evaluation Subcommittee (Arroyo, Graham) and Facilities
and Sustainability Subcommittee (Rhinerson, Milgrim).
Adopted resolutions 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 following a presentation by Director Ljubisa Kostic; and affirming the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees’ commitment to and support for Assembly Bill 927 (Medina) as passed.
Approved the ratification of Trustee Advisory Council bylaws.
Approved appointment of Jesus Martin Gallegos-Munoz (nominated by Trustee Craig Milgirm); and the reappointment of Dean Aragoza, Nola Butler Byrd, Alan Mobley, Olivia Puentes-Reynolds, Cecil Steppe, David Valladolid, and John Watson (nominated by Trustee Maria Nieto Senour); Courtney Baltiyskyy and Rebekah Hook-Held (nominated by Trustee Milgrim); and Anchi Mei and Marissa Vasquez (nominated by Trustee Geysil Arroyo) to the Trustee Advisory Council (TAC).
Approved the appointment of Allen Kuo and Julia Kogan as student representatives on the Propositions S and N Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
Authorized an agreement with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District
health occupation programs.
Renewed an agreement with Apprenticeship Sponsoring Organizations San Diego Gas & Electric; Associated General Contractors, San Diego and Riverside Centers; and Black Contractors Association Inc., for related and supplemental education for apprentices at San Diego City College
following comments by Vice Chancellor Susan Topham.
Adopted the 2022-23 Memorandum of Understanding with Jewish Family Services of San Diego for the California Department of Social Services to continue the agreement for Assembly Bill 1809.
Authorized agreements with the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges for the Strong Workforce Program Pathway Navigation and the Social Work Curriculum Alignment projects at City College; and for Priority and Emerging Sector Strategies – Business and Entrepreneurship Regional Entrepreneurship Center Innovation Lab Phase 3 activities at Miramar College.
Accepted grants from the U.S. Department of Education for Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) programs, from the National Science Foundation for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) support at San Diego Mesa College.
Accepted grants from the Educational Services and Support Division of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for the Rising Scholars Network Grant at San Diego Miramar College; from the San Diego County Office of Education, CSPP Quality Block Grant, for the Miramar College Child Development Center; for the COVID Recovery Block Grant and for the Student Equity and Achievement Program districtwide; and for Zero Textbook Costs at City, Mesa and Miramar colleges.
Authorized an agreement between Cal Coast Cares Foundation for the Women in STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering and Math) speaker series at Miramar College.
Awarded contracts to Elde Bailly for District auditing services; and to De La Fuente Construction, Inc., for wayfinding signage at Mesa College.
Entered into an agreement for the use of Temple Emanu-El as an off-campus facility by College of Continuing Education.
Approved new or revised courses and programs; purchase orders completed during October 2022; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after December 16, 2022.