Geysil Arroyo
Trustee Geysil Arroyo reported that this was her first “in-person” Board Meeting, and she was pleased that the District is holding hybrid meetings. She reported that she worked with Trustee Mary Graham as part of the Chancellor’s Evaluation Subcommittee, and with Trustee Craig Milgrim on the Board’s Self Evaluation Subcommittee. She encouraged all those who receive surveys to complete them. She promoted open door sessions at the April 14 campus meeting at the College of Continuing Education.
Mary Graham
Trustee Mary Graham echoed Trustee Arroyo’s encouragement to complete the Chancellor Evaluation surveys when they come out and said that they Board wants to hear people’s thoughts and constructive criticism. She reported that in addition to Women’s History Month, it is Disability Awareness Month and encouraged those who are comfortable, especially faculty, to share their stories because it is important for students to see a reflection of themselves in the spaces they are in.
Craig Milgrim
Trustee Craig Milgrim reported that he learned on Thursday about a recent Pride flag burning incident at Cabrillo College. He criticized recent LGBTQ+ legislation in Florida and Texas, saying that it emboldens people across the country to target the LGBTQ+ community, even in more seemingly progressive states. He said there is no place for hate.
Bernie Rhinerson
Trustee Bernie Rhinerson reported that he continues to work with the California Masonic Foundation on a scholarship program for incoming underrepresented students going into the trades; today Miramar College President Wes Lundburg met with them about setting up a pilot program. He congratulated Chancellor Carlos Cortez on receiving the American Council on Education Reginald Wilson Diversity Leadership Award on Monday.
Dr. Maria Nieto Senour
Trustee Maria Nieto Senour reported that the process of selecting a new president of the College of Continuing Education is advancing and site visits took place this week. She said that she is closely watching events in Ukraine and is encouraged by acts of resistance; she hopes that students or faculty from or with ties to Ukraine know that the District offers its support.
Dr. Carlos O. Turner Cortez
Chancellor Carlos Cortez shared that City College President Ricky Shabazz has been selected as a Wheelhouse Fellow by the UC Davis Center for Community College Leadership and Research. Earlier today, Mesa College President Pam Luster presented on a webinar for the Department of Labor; the presentation follows a celebration of Dr. Luster’s career held at the Community College League of California's CEO Symposium Retiree Dinner on March 5. In addition, Miramar College President Wes Lundburg and College of Continuing Education Interim President Kay Faulconer Boger both attended their first CEO Symposium over weekend. He congratulated Miramar College on its campus presentation and said he looks forward to the College of Continuing Education campus meeting on April 14. He announced that an investiture to celebrate his appointment as chancellor will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31 at Petco Park; the event will be free of charge to all participants and feature a keynote by award-winning author, Alice Walker. Chancellor Cortez stated that on March 15, the SDCCD will host its annual joint board meeting with the elected Board of Education for the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), and congratulated Dr. Lamont Jackson on his appointment as SDUSD superintendent. He also reported that he recently presented at the League for Innovation in the Community College’s annual conference and the American Council on Education’s annual meeting.
Trustee Edward Borek
Student Trustee Edward Borek reported on various student activities districtwide, including that City College Associated Student Government (ASG) President Victoria Owusu participated on a panel for Black Excellence, and the campus celebrated a variety of events for Black History Month in February; Women’s History Month events will take place throughout March, including the City Women Rock conference held on March 8; the ASG held its first in-person meeting last week and will hold elections soon, which will focus on a revised constitution. Mesa College Associated Students elected a treasurer and several senators to round out its President’s Cabinet; the AS Leadership retreat will be on March 11 and focus on an eco-friendly student agenda. Student Trustee Borek reported that the Miramar College ASG voted to suspend hybrid meetings and return to fully in-person meetings starting March 11; senators Vanessa Caldwell and Allen Kuo were named equity co-ambassadors to work with the Leading Equity, Anti-Racism and Diversity (LEAD) Office and student affinity groups; the ASG will vote on a resolution encouraging Miramar College to distribute HEERF monies to help with increased transportation costs due to rising fuel prices as a result of the war in Ukraine; plans for student elections are underway; and the ASG will host a Women’s History Month event on March 16 and a themed Club Rush event on March 17.
BOARD ACTIONS
At its regular meeting of March 10, 2022, which was conducted in a hybrid format, the Board of Trustees:
- Conducted a campus meeting in a hybrid format with San Diego Miramar College that included welcome remarks from President Wesley Lundburg, Academic Senate President Laura Murphy, Classified Senate President Sean Young, and Associated Student Government President Edward Borek; presentations on Engaging and Reengaging Our Campus Community, including a presentation on Engaging Students from Edward Borek and Monica Lester, Monica Demcho, Cheryl Barnard, Joseph Hankinson, Vincent Ngo, Marian Edelbrock, Julia Kamp, Edward Borek, Jennifer Peña, Patricia Guevarra, Mila Stojkoski, Jae Calanog, Nessa Julian, Donnie Tran, Anne Gloag, Tanya Hertz; a presentation on Engaging the College from Lisa Brewster, Laura Pecenco, Matthew Cain, Randy Claros, Danielle Guerra, Stefanie Johnson Shipman, Denise Maduli-Williams, Josh Alley, Wendy Wilson, Randy Claros, Ryan Moore, Anne Gloag, Jae Calanog, Sheila Madrak, Monica Demcho, Laura Pecenco, Pablo Martin, Alanna Milner, Wai Ling Rubic, Ali Gonzalez, Duane Short, Ronald Garcia, Donald Kalescky, Tanya Hertz, Mona Patel; and a presentation on Engaging Employees and the Community from Laura González, Nessa Julian, and Judy Patacsil; and closing remarks from President Wesley Lundburg.
- Heard public comment from City College Academic Senate (AS) President Maria-Jose Zeledon-Perez who congratulated Miramar College on an excellent presentation and outstanding work. Mesa College AS President John Crocitti said Women’s History Month events are underway and the college is reviewing the results of a campus wide survey on a proctoring center which would help boost equity.
- Adopted revisions to Chapter 2 – Board of Trustees Board Policies (first reading February 24) as part of a comprehensive six-year review to ensure currency.
- Approved new or revised courses and programs following comments by Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Susan Topham.
- Heard a report on Dreamer Resource Centers at City, Mesa, Miramar and Continuing Education colleges by Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Susan Topham, Acting Dean, District Outreach and Student Affairs Luke Menchaca, City College Acting Program Activity Director, Title V, Sylvia Ramirez, Mesa College Dreamer Resource Center and Borderless Scholars Program Coordinator Angel Aguilar Garcia, Miramar College Dean of Student Affairs Cheryl Barnard, and College of Continuing Education Counselor/Coordinator, Immigrant-based Support Program Sheyla Castillo.
- Authorized an agreement with health care agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs.
- Authorized agreements with Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District Auxiliary Organization for the Strong Workforce Program (SWP) Student Retention, Persistence, and Completion Research Investment projects at City College and for the Work-Based Learning Coordination project at the College of Continuing Education; and with the Foundation for Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community Colleges for the SWP Pathway Navigation at Miramar College.
- Accepted grants from the American Chemical Society Communities Professional Meeting for Miramar College students attending the professional meeting, and from the U.S. Department of Education for the Federal Work-Study program award and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity grants at City College.
- Authorized an increase in the budget for the 2021-22 Financial Aid Fund Alternative Loan Program at City and Miramar colleges.
- Approved purchase orders completed during February 2022; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after March 11, 2022.