Geysil Arroyo
Trustee Geysil Arroyo reported that she attended the San Diego College of Continuing Education’s (SDCCE) scholarship awards on April 21. She thanked those who attended Thursday’s open-door session before the Board meeting at the Educational Cultural Center and noted she talked to a group of classified professionals; she encouraged others to participate in those sessions when they are available. Trustee Arroyo thanked those who shared resolutions with the Board, including from the City Academic Senate and one mentioned during the public comment section to be formally presented by the student trustees during the May Board meeting.
Mary Graham
Trustee Mary Graham attended a Guided Pathways event with members from SDCCE and Miramar College. She requested, and the Board consented, to place an update to its December resolution regarding community college baccalaureate programs on the May 11 agenda and asked that revisions be made to emphasize elements of what the legislature has already agreed to in terms of the review and approval processes. She also said that she appreciated Academic Senate President Martin’s mention of Miramar’s Institutional Self Evaluation Report (ISER) and acknowledged the importance for the full Board to be aware of issues related to accreditation.
Craig Milgrim
Trustee Craig Milgrim acknowledged the District is coming out of a momentous time – the COVID-19 pandemic – and encouraged the Board to commit resources to the creation of a policy that would prepare the District to get through the next public health emergency. The Board generally agreed to have Acting Chancellor Smith bring such a policy to a future meeting.
Bernie Rhinerson
Trustee Bernie Rhinerson reported that he attended the April 21 SDCCE scholarship event and the April 26 Mesa College scholarship event and noted it was a happy time leading up to culminating commencements at the end of the semester. He also reported that on behalf of the Board, he has been working with Kay Faulconer Boger to revitalize the District Corporate Council and, in partnership, is working to identify new companies to bring on board; he noted the next meeting will be held at the Miramar College Regional Entrepreneur Center (REC) Lab and that Interim Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, Daisy Gonzales, will also be in attendance. Trustee Rhinerson acknowledged audience member Dwayne Hill, who works with the youth of southeastern San Diego and advocating for students at San Diego State University and beyond, including promoting College of Continuing Education.
Maria Nieto Senour
Trustee Maria Nieto Senour recognized Mary Casillas Salas who was recently appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. She also noted that she met with County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, who was promoting the County’s Live Well on Wheels program, which offers a variety of resources and services to community groups around the county, and mentioned a possible partnership opportunity with the District’s colleges. Supervisor Lawson-Remer also mentioned the San Diego Foundation is offering funds to government agencies that want to develop housing, which might be worth looking into for the District.
Greg Smith
Acting Chancellor Greg Smith said that he is grateful for the opportunity to serve the SDCCD as acting chancellor at this time and expressed thanks to those who have dedicated their life to public service, including faculty and classified professionals, and for their persistence in supporting the District’s mission of student success. During the past four weeks, he has attended the HUBU conference at City College, joined the Black Student Success Week virtual kickoff, and scholarship ceremonies at College of Continuing Education and Mesa College. Acting Chancellor Smith recognized District Architect Lance Lareau, who was recognized as a Distinguished Owner Honoree by the San Diego Chapter of the Construction Management Association of America on April 26. He thanked City College Academic Senate President Maria-Jose Zeledon-Perez for taking up topic of staffing. He shared his report with professor Kim Perigo, who introduced the college’s Speech and Debate Team students who have just returned from their excellent international and national competition accomplishments. He also shared his report with Vice Chancellor of Operations, Enterprise Services, and Facilities Joel Peterson, who provided an update on the Police Advisory Committee and the status of the District’s exploration of a 2024 bond. He also noted that Officers Jane Obara and Daniel Stevens employed life-saving measures on an unconscious subject outside the Cesar Chavez campus until paramedics could arrive. The individual is now in stable condition.
Acting Chancellor Smith reported that, after the release of the State Senate’s budget plan, the District continues to closely watch the 2023-2024 state budget process. The Senate’s plan includes a tax increase to make up for projected revenue shortfall of between $24-$30 billion, which Governor Gavin Newsom has stated he does not support. The Assembly budget plan is expected around May 15. In an email sent out districtwide on Thursday, Vice Chancellor Kelly Hall noted the District remains optimistic while also using conservative revenue estimates in its fiscal planning. Acting Chancellor Smith reported the District is calling upon legislators and the CSU and UC systems to work together with the California Community Colleges to assure the expansion of community college baccalaureate programs move forward. Assembly Bill 91, which would provide individuals with a demonstrated financial need and living with 45 miles of our border with Mexico the ability to attend our colleges without paying nonresident tuition, is another critical effort the District supports.
Julia Kogan
Student Trustee Julia Kogan reported that City College hosted an Open House event with high school students and community members on April 20 and will host an Honors Reception on May 3. She reported that Mesa College held a Cultural Unity Week from April 17-21, the Associated Students promoted Acts of Kindness, and held its scholarship ceremony on April 26. Student Trustee Kogan said that Miramar College held a peer-led learning group to provide soft skills for STEM students and a Spring Fest on April 19 to connect students with clubs and resources. She reported that College of Continuing Education hosted an employment fair for medical-related careers on April 3 at the Cesar Chavez campus, held its 15th annual Stars on the Rise scholarship event on April 21 at the Educational Cultural Center, and promoted North American Heritage Month throughout all of its campuses, announced food trucks are now available at the ECC Monday through Thursday, and said the college now will offer a new digital media certificate for digital photography.
Board Actions
At its regular meeting of April 27, 2023, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:
- Reported from Closed Session the Board’s unanimous decision to deny the appeal of the Administrative Determination of a Title 5 complaint.
- Conducted a campus meeting in a hybrid format with San Diego College of Continuing Education that included a performance by Khalil Bleaux, welcome remarks from President Tina M. King, Academic Senate President John Bromma and Classified Senate President Neill Kovrig; and presentations on college highlights, including on the Apprenticeship Readiness Program from Dean Stephanie Lewis and student Kevin Arzeta Piza; Basic Needs from Dean Michele Madrid Novak and student Maria Ramirez; on Welding from Dean Andrei Lucas and student Evelyn Constantino; on Noncredit to Credit Alignment Lab by Vice President Jacqueline Hester; on the Leadership Team, including President’s Updates from President King; Enrollment Figures from Interim Vice President of Instructional Services Minou Spradley; Student Onboarding/Enrollment Process from Vice President of Student Services Shakerra Carter; Marketing and Outreach from President King; on Facilities/Renovation from Vice President of Administrative Services Jacqueline Sabanos; as well as recognitions of NANCE Employee Maria Nyirasfari and Classified Professional Carmen Martinez.
- Heard public comment from Alessandra Dangio, a first-year Miramar College student, who spoke on climate change and the need for action, and as such said the United Student Council worked together to form a resolution that will be brought forth by the students trustees at the next Board meeting. City College Academic Senate (AS) President Maria-Jose Zeledon-Perez complimented President King on a beautiful campus. She shared that on April 20 the college had more than 650 attendees at its annual open house and that Friends of Downtown recently held a successful fundraiser. She continued that there was considerable participation in Black Student Success Week and that several AS representatives attended the recent plenary. She concluded by sharing a resolution on increasing full time faculty and diversity. Mesa College AS President John Crocitti reported that a Black Community Cookout event was held at today and expressed a wish that more media attention focused on the strong multi-cultural community that exists on campus. Miramar College AS President Pablo Martin thanked College of Continuing Education for hosting an inspiring presentation. He said the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges spring plenary was a success where AS President Zeledon-Perez was nominated to serve as the ASCCC representative, which was a highlight. Also at the plenary, he said a resolution was passed focused on solidarity with higher education colleagues around academic freedom. He concluded by sharing that Miramar College continues to thrive and is addressing growing pains in a healthy way.
- Adopted revisions to a Chapter 3 – General Institution board policy (first reading) as part of a comprehensive six-year review to ensure currency following comments by Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Susan Topham.
- Appointed Greg Smith to serve as acting chancellor for the remainder of Chancellor Cortez's absence.
- Adopted resolutions to declare the month of June 2023, and every June thereafter, to be a Districtwide celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride; and proclaim the week of May 21-27, 2023 as Classified Professionals Week.
- Authorized an agreement with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs.
- Authorized Miramar College’s request to apply for authorization from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) to offer a bachelor of science degree program in Public Safety Management following comments from Miramar College President Wes Lundburg.
- Approved the 2023-24 Student Fee Schedule
- Entered into a subcontract agreement with San Diego State University, Department of Education – Office of Postsecondary Education for Developing Effective Bilingual Educators with Resources (DEBER) project at Mesa College to facilitate teacher education for bilingual students pursuing an elementary or high school teaching credential.
- Entered into agreements with the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges for Strong Workforce Program (SWP) development of a Credit for Prior Learning function at Mesa College; and the California Department of Rehabilitation for the District’s College 2 Career (C2C) and Workability III programs.
- Entered into a master agreement with the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca for the Future Educators Summit project with Mesa College.
- Accepted grants from the California Student Aid Commission for the Gateway to College and Career Program at San Diego College of Continuing Education, and from the Association of Community College Trustees for participation in the Non-Credit and Credit Alignment Lab.
- Approved purchase orders completed during March 2023; new or revised courses and programs; the transfer of funds between budget expenditure accounts in the 2022-23 General Fund/Unrestricted Budget; reformatted Classified Professionals salary schedules for calendar year 2023 in accordance with CalPERS guidelines; the master list of off-campus locations for 2022-23; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after April 28, 2023.