Special Report to the Public:
Mary Graham
Trustee Mary Graham thanked all of the public speakers, particularly Richard Weinroth who mentioned in his comments that adjunct faculty often feel unseen and that College of Continuing Education's Academic Senate is working to find ways to make sure people feel valued.
Craig Milgrim
Trustee Craig Milgrim thanked City College and Vice Chancellor Susan Topham for helping Our Time to Act, a youth-led political and social involvement nonprofit, host its Youth Leadership Conference on campus on September 28. He also noted that he’s been recuperating from a medical incident and thanked all of those who took time to check in during his recovery.
Dr. Maria Nieto Senour
Trustee Maria Nieto Senour thanked Richard Weinroth for his comments on National Suicide Awareness Month and noted we don’t always know what’s going on with those around us. She expressed surprise to learn that the SEEDS program at City College might be cut and that tasers had been purchased by College Police.
Bernie Rhinerson
Trustee Bernie Rhinerson said he was honored to speak at all four college Convocations where he talked about Measure HH, which he noted as “hope and help” for students, to modernize District facilities, and he encouraged everyone to register and make sure to vote in November.
Gregory Smith
Chancellor Gregory Smith provided an update on Senate Bill 895 and Assembly Bill 2104, each of which would establish a pilot bachelor’s degree in nursing at community colleges, both was passed by the Senate and Assembly and awaiting a signature from Governor Gavin Newsom by September 30.
Chancellor Smith recognized Aimee Gallagher, Nancy Lane, and Rachel Wilker for their service to acting positions within the District. He reported enrollment is up about 6% over last year, and recognized Dean Victor Devore for helping root out fraudulent enrollments. He attended the September 11 Legacy of Dr. Barbara Blackmun event in support of the World Arts Collection at Mesa College, and recognized Denise Rogers for her work in curation of the collection, after earlier that day visiting the Mid-City Campus and noted its tremendous importance to the community and District. He said last week he toured multiple facilities at City College with President Ricky Shabazz that would potentially be updated with Measure HH funds. He said that he was looking forward to get out to the colleges, along with Vice Chancellors Dan Troy and Jared Burns, for his Chancellor’s Forum events over the next month where, among other topics, he’ll discuss measurable progress being made toward the District Strategic Plan with the needs of the colleges being at the center. He also thanked Pablo Martin for the opportunity to discuss at Miramar College the Student Centered Funding Formula. Chancellor Smith said that the District is in a good place despite the state’s fiscal turmoil and credited hard work across the District. He promoted the launch of the District brand on September 15.
Haydee Zuniga
Student Trustee Haydee Zuniga reported that between August 27-30 City College hosted multiple student mixers to welcome them to campus; between September 17-19 Mesa College will host its Club Rush; from August 20-21 Miramar College hosted Welcome Back Resource Fair to connect students with campus resources; and on August 28, the SDCCE hosted Convocation where it celebrated its 110 years, and heard from guest speaker California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber.
Board Actions
At its regular meeting of September 12, 2024, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:
- Announced for Closed Session the Board authorized settlement authority in connection with pending litigation.
- Heard public comment from Roxann Solis who addressed the Board about campus safety; Jose Silva, Abbie Ferrieri, Javier Flores, Cora Huot, Andrea Vazquez, Olive Marsh, and Mona Alsoraimi-Espiritu who all spoke in support of the City College Sustainable Urban Agriculture program; Jennifer Kennedy and Sandy Hamel who advocated for a 32-hour workweek; and America Martinez who spoke against use of tasers by College Police. City College Academic Senate (AS) President Mona Alsoraimi shared that the AS met this week for the first time and hosted a panel of past presidents with some excellent historical information shared about the District and influential changes over the years. Mesa College AS President Andrew Hoffman reported on the college’s first AS meeting which included reports on the transfer center, basic needs, and accreditation assessment and outcomes. Earlier today, he said Latino/a/e Heritage Month kicked off with considerable excitement. He reported that a Narcan dispenser is now located on campus, Club Rush is upcoming, Constitution Day is being celebrated September 17, the Chancellor’s Forum will be September 24, and a pep rally will be held on September 25. Miramar College AS President Pablo Martin shared the AS’s first meeting was well attended, a road show with an equity focus is underway, a first call on public comments was held, and a community day is happening from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, September 13. An excellent presentation was made on distance education and the campus is looking forward to the Chancellor’s presentation on budget and the Student-Centered Funding Formula. He continued saying concerns remain about unpleasantness in the workplace and that Employee Relations has been helpful in resolving issues. He concluded by saying efforts to replenish the paper towels are much appreciated and that curriculum review is underway. College of Continuing Education AS President Richard Weinroth shared that SDCCE has an amazing convocation that was incredibly inclusive, and for which he said California Secretary of State Shirley Weber was a truly inspiring speaker. The following day, SDCCE hosted an adjunct welcome event. Enrollment is up 8% as the college begins the year. Chancellor Smith is coming September 16 for the Chancellor’s Forum. He concluded by mentioning that September is National Suicide Awareness Month and encouraged people to reach out to someone who might be in trouble.
- Conducted the second reading of Board Policy: BP 1200 District Mission, and a Chapter 6 – Business and Financial Services Board Policy (first reading August and adopted revisions).
- Authorized an agreement with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs; and with the Neighborhood House Association to provide education, childcare, health and social services to Head Start and Early Had Start eligible children and families at City and Mesa colleges.
- Authorized student travel for City College student to attend the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) from October 30 – November 2, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Conducted a public hearing and approved the SDCCD 2024-2025 Adopted Budget following a presentation from Vice Chancellor Daniel Troy. The total budget is $1,044,839,738, including $642,952,940 in General Fund Unrestricted and Restricted operational funds. Board members expressed appreciation for the fact that planned budget adjustments ensure the budget is balanced. The budget had been thoroughly reviewed by the Board’s Budget Study and Audit Committee (Trustees Milgrim and Senour for Rhinerson).
- Heard a report about enhancing student access and equity through accessible online learning by Vice Chancellor Susan Topham and deans Poppy Fitch and Brian Weston.
- Accepted grants from the U.S. Department of Education for HSI-STEM and Articulation Program – Title III STEM at Mesa College; AANAPISI Equity, Empathy and Excellence at Mesa College; and Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI)/STEM Éxito Project at Miramar College; from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for the Human Services Program to establish a Regional Equity and Recovery Partnership at City College; and from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for the SEEDS Scholars: Awareness, Preparation, and Training Program at Mesa College.
- Authorized agreements with the Foundation for Grossmont-Cuyamaca Colleges for the Regional Strong Workforce Program (SWP) at Faculty Institute project at Mesa College and College of Continuing Education; Job Placement Case Management at Miramar College and College of Continuing Education; Work-Based Learning Coordinator and College-Based Marketing at College of Continuing Education; and Labor Market Research districtwide.
- Authorized an agreement with the University of Pittsburgh to develop, revamp, and increase non-degree programs that prepare workers for in-demand jobs.
- Authorized the revision of the District College’s Facilities Master Needs List to add a pre-bond planning and activities project.
- Approved purchase orders and contracts completed during August 2024; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after September 13, 2024.