Geysil Arroyo
Trustee Geysil Arroyo reported that she attended the Washington, D.C., legislative trip in conjunction with the Association for Community College Trustees Legislative Summit from February 4-7, and thanked all those who worked out the logistics to make it happen. She thanked Trustee Bernie Rhinerson for taking students on various excursions around the city, and she remarked that the District is fortunate to have leadership that understands the impact of such trips have on those people in attendance and the District as a whole. She reported that she, along with Trustee Mary Graham, is part of the Chancellor Transition subcommittee and shared that updates on events to celebrate the new chancellor are forthcoming.
Mary Graham
Trustee Mary Graham reported that she and Trustee Rhinerson, Chancellor Gregory Smith, Vice Chancellor Susan Topham and Dean Luke Menchaca had a meeting with their counterparts from the San Diego Unified School District regarding the March Joint Board Meeting to discuss an update in format and she noted it has been her pleasure to watch the partnership evolve between the two Districts.
Craig Milgrim
Trustee Craig Milgrim commented that the role of student trustees in advocacy is paramount noting that there is no one better to advocate for our colleges than the student trustees, and he continues to be pleased that a representative of SDCCE is a part of those important conversations.
Bernie Rhinerson
Trustee Bernie Rhinerson thanked all of the student trustees for their participation in the recent advocacy trips, noting an early meeting with Congressmember Sara Jacobs so that she could cast her vote on the House floor — which he and the student trustees got to witness from the gallery — to impeach Homeland Security Director Alejandro Mayorkas. He noted the impeachment efforts failed that day but were advanced several days later. Trustee Rhinerson said that the experience, along with a late-night tour of the Capitol with Congressmember Juan Vargas, a visit to the Library of Congress, and a nighttime tour of various memorials without crowds, were a great way for the student trustees to experience the history of the area and understand democracy. Trustee Rhinerson also provided an update on the importance of a bond campaign in November and shared pictures across Miramar College that showed the need in cramped spaces for instructors, collapsing ceilings, dilapidated bathrooms, an outdated aviation hangar at Montgomery Field, hazardous electrical outlets on classroom floors, and the need for more individually dedicated spaces for student basic needs services.
Dr. Maria Nieto Senour
Trustee Maria Nieto Senour reported that she attended the advocacy trip to Sacramento as part of the Community College League for California's Annual Legislative Conference from January 28-29, and she participated in the Community College Baccalaureate Association from February 14-16 in Savannah, Georgia, and commended those SDCCD representatives who gave presentations. She said she would like to focus her attention on community college bachelor’s degree programs in the upcoming year and she hopes a nursing baccalaureate can be added to City College’s offerings.
Gregory Smith
Chancellor Gregory Smith reported that concerns linger around the state budget where, last week, it was revealed how the Governor’s budget proposal would address the $8 billion reduction in the Prop 98 guarantee without cutting community college funding in 2024-2025 by borrowing against future revenues. He said this relies on a stronger than forecasted state economy in 2025 and 2026, and, if the fiscal conditions aren’t met, there is a possibility of steeper cuts or deferrals that would have been made in 2024-2025 without such an assumption. He reported the District continues to advocate for full funding of the proposed COLA. Chancellor Smith reported that Senate Bill 895 (Roth) has been amended to increase the proposed enrollment cap for a pilot program for community college baccalaureate degrees in nursing, and a companion bill, AB 2104 (Soria) was introduced to increase enrollment in districts within persistent poverty communities, both of which the District will advocate for. He shared that in January and February the District, including all four student trustees, traveled to Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to advocate for student basic needs and financial assistance, community college funding, and expanding baccalaureate programs, and he noted that, in his absence, during a meeting with Congressmember Jacobs, Miramar College Student Trustee Saigel Ghotra covered the chancellor’s talking points. Chancellor Smith noted the District is taking the lead in advocating for Pell Grant reforms that would consider regional cost of living differences in calculating awards, and an immediate response came from Congressmember Mike Levin who agreed to sign onto the Tax-Free Pell Grant Act as a co-sponsor.
Chancellor Smith reported that districtwide enrollment is headed in a positive direction with City College up 13%, Mesa College up 7%, and Miramar College up 9%, all over last spring, which he attributed to concerted effort across the colleges and District, from marketing to the outreach teams at the colleges and many more working to connect with our community members and demonstrate the value of the educational programs provided by the SDCCD. He said the District joined a pilot with the state Chancellor’s Office to explore new technologies to help curb fraudulent enrollments. Chancellor Smith recognized the Information Technology Services Department for being awarded the 2024 CENIC Innovations in Networking Award for Network Enabled Cloud Applications which acknowledged recent modernization and optimization of districtwide enterprise system and wireless networks. He reported that he attended the Black Employee Lunch and Mixer hosted by City College and President Ricky Shabazz, and he noted that longtime facilities classified professional Jacqueline Bonner was awarded the opportunity to attend, along with other District representatives and students, the All Africa Diaspora Summit in Ghana later this year. He also recognized deans Shelly Hess, Victor DeVore, and Cassandra Storey for their presentations during the Community College Baccalaureate Association Conference.
Ixchel Valencia Diaz
Student Trustee Ixchel Valencia Diaz reported that all of the colleges were hosting various events throughout February in honor of Black History Month, noting in particular a Black Reparations lecture and discussion held at Mesa College on February 12. She reported that the City College Associated Student Government would participate in Women’s History Month events in March. Student Trustee Valencia said that on Valentine’s Day Mesa College hosted a healing circle and HIV testing sponsored by the Pride Center, and Student Health Services held a blood pressure event where screenings and stress reduction strategies were provided. She reported that during the February 13 Miramar College Council meeting it was decided to form a workgroup to collaborate on a space where students could connect with faculty without the barriers of classroom walls, and on March 20 the college will host a Women’s Business Expo. At College of Continuing Education, she reported that Welcome Week was held during the last week of January, and that other festivities at the college marked the Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day.
BOARD ACTIONS
At its regular meeting of February 22, 2024, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:
Announced the following action from closed session the Board unanimously approved the immediate unpaid suspension and termination of a tenured academic employee at San Diego City College and the expulsion of a Miramar College student.
Heard public comment from employee Ashley Burch and community advocate Zenia Torres who spoke in favor of a 32-hour workweek. City College Academic Senate (AS) President María-José Zeledón-Pérez shared that the AS held its first meeting of the year, which was well attended and there is a strong partnership with the Associated Student Government. She said the college also recently hired a new faculty member who is a City College grad who wanted to pay it back to the community. Mesa College AS President Andrew Hoffman reported that the AS is looking forward to the ACCJC Peer Review Team visit from February 26 through February 28 when a report of findings will be shared. He also shared that the college was also recognized as one of 19 to be part of an agricultural export challenge; Jumpstart Your Success (for students) begins soon; the AS soon will hold elections including for a new president; and new banners are up around campus highlighting academic and career pathways. He reported that during the AS meeting on March 4, Trustee Rhinerson will present on the upcoming bond campaign. Miramar College AS President Pablo Martin the AS held its second meeting and voted unanimously on an adjunct faculty committee, and that restorative justice is being more strongly woven into the college’s practices. He said that the college is being more intentional in its focus on professional development that is accessible to the most people. SDCCE AS President Richard Weinroth reported that Black History Month events have included those highlighting Black art, and that the United Taxi Workers of San Diego are now giving students rides to campus and home, for which former Trustee Peter Zschiesche was instrumental in helping establish the service. He said flooding has affected many areas at SDCCE campuses, and the hope is that the bond will help alleviate some of the issues. He reported that there is a new director of the SDCCE Foundation, and that SDCCE has been invited to participate in a conference focused on noncredit education being held in Anaheim.
- Adopted revisions to a Chapter 3 – General Institution Board Policy (first reading).
- Approved new or revised courses and programs following a presentation by Vice Chancellor Susan Topham.
- Approved the 2023-24 Second Quarter Financial Report and received a quarterly report of the budgeted expenses to actuals.
- Authorized agreements with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs.
- Accepted revisions to the 2024 Family Handbook for Child Development Centers at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges.
- Accepted grants from the National Institutes of Health for Biomedical Research and Training at City College; from The Regents of the University of California, on behalf of UC Santa Barbara, for the creation of data science pathways at Mesa College; from the Foundation for Grossmont-Cuyamaca College for the Strong Workforce Program Virtual Business Incubator project at Mesa College; and from Cal Coast Cares Foundation Educator Grant program for the Women in STREAM speaker series and Child Development student resources at Miramar College.
- Accepted grants from the California Department of Education for the California State Preschool Program at San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges; from California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act; from UC San Diego for the Preparing Accomplished Transfers to the Humanities (PATH) Program; from the California Student Aid Commission for the Chafee Foster Youth Grant program at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges and for the Cal Grant Baccalaureate program at Mesa College; and from AmeriCorps for student financial aid at Miramar College.
- Entered into a subcontract agreement with San Diego State University, Department of Education – Office of Postsecondary Education for the Developing Effective Bilingual Educators with Resources (DEBER) project at Mesa College.
- Heard a presentation on the bond refunding for the District’s Obligation Bond Tender and Refunding Bond sale (Propositions S and N) by Karma Pemba of RBC Capital Markets and Acting Vice Chancellor Nancy Lane, noting this effort has saved taxpayers $31 million.
- Approved change in tuition for nonresidents from $331 per unit to $356.
- Adopted the Resource Allocation Formula (RAF) for the Supervisory and Professional Administrators Association.
- Authorized travel for students from City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges to Accra and Cape Coast in Ghana from September 25 through October 7, 2024, to participate in the All Africa Diaspora Education Summit; and for Biology 210B students from Mesa College to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park from March 15-17 2024.
- Authorized the transfer of funds between San Diego Adult Education Regional Consortium member agency College of Continuing Education to San Diego Unified School District for the California Adult Education Program (CAEP).
- Authorized the use of Fay Elementary School as an off-campus facility by College of Continuing Education.
- Awarded contracts to Chula Vista Electric to fix a leaking transformer at Miramar College; and to PCL Construction Services for upgrades to the College of Continuing Education Educational Cultural Complex Theater.
- Approved a change order for a painting project by GQ Builders at the District Office.
- Heard a report on the Innovation Survey from Vice Chancellor Michelle Fischthal.
- Approved purchase orders completed during January 2024; the District’s Report of Participation in the San Diego County Investment Pool; ratification of the reformatted salary schedules for the 2024-25 academic year; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after February 23, 2024.