Special Report to the public
Geysil Arroyo
Trustee Geysil Arroyo reported that she attended the July 23 Board Retreat, the July 18 San Diego Pride Parade, and the August 21 new hire event at City College. She thanked the colleges for inviting her to participate in their Convocation events. She wished everyone a great academic year and acknowledged the pending reconvening of all of the college academic senates.
Mariah Jameson
Trustee Mariah Jameson thanked everyone for their condolences on the loss of her partner Eric Washington, and she said she is happy to be back for the start of the semester.
Dr. Marichu Magaña
Trustee Marichu Magaña reported that she traveled to Japan over the summer and appreciated AS President Mary Gwin’s report about the study abroad program available at Mesa College, noting the other credit colleges also have programs to help broaden students’ perspectives on the world and how they see themselves in it.
Craig Milgrim
Trustee Craig Milgrim said that he is in support of Proposition B, a half-cent countywide sales tax on the upcoming ballot, and requested that a resolution in support be brought before the Board at the September meeting. He also reported he recently had lunch with City College President Ricky Shabazz and welcomed lunch of coffee with anyone else who might want to meet.
Dr. Maria Nieto Senour
Trustee Maria Nieto Senour provided an update on the work she’s been doing with the Progressive Caucus where Chancellor Greg Smith is the main CEO involved and noted she is actively recruiting board members from other districts to participate.
Michael Fuzy
Student Trustee Michael Fuzy reported that San Diego City College Associated Students Government is working to make student resources and benefits more accessible; San Diego Mesa College hosted its inaugural Olympian Open golf tournament on July 24, raising more than $73,000 for student athletes; San Diego Miramar College will host a Pizza Night on September 1 to help engage students taking night classes, a September 2 event in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, and the PRIDE Center will host a Rainbow Connections welcome mixer; and San Diego College of Continuing Education hosted a community “maker for a day” event on July 29 to explore the process of textile manufacturing at its West City Campus.
Gregory Smith
Chancellor Gregory Smith reported that Sacramento is wrapping up the legislative calendar, with the last day for each house to pass bills being August 31. He said that high-priority bills addressing community college baccalaureate programs of interest for the Governor, Senate, and Assembly include AB 2694 (Alvarez) and SB 960 (Cabaldon), which make baccalaureate duplication a regional matter rather than a statewide concern, are being revised with the state chancellor’s office participating in negotiations. He said both bills were previously supported by the SDCCD, but based on proposed revisions, the District may have to express opposition.
Chancellor Smith reported his attendance to all four SDCCD college Convocation events where he reflected on the successes of 2025-26 including enrollment reaching 40,000 FTES across the District for the first time since 2018 and a 20% increase in associate degrees awarded over the prior year. He reported that the general fund unrestricted budget remains healthy and reflects an increase in revenue for growth funding, which was due in part to District advocacy work. He noted that, due to strong budget foundations, additional instructional support allocations were shared with the presidents and vice chancellors on August 27.
Chancellor Smith said that since the July board meeting, he presented to the Board of Governors about the impacts of the budget on community colleges, particularly at the local level; and at the California Student Aid Commission Board Retreat on the successful advocacy for increasing the age limit for students to transfer from a community college to a four-year university and retain their Cal Grant entitlement. He reported his attendance at the kickoff of the LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee at the CCCCO along with Neill Kovrig. Chancellor Smith also reported that he convened a districtwide manager meeting that helped drive a discussion with Managers across the District for open dialogue and stated he will have more meetings like this on a periodic basis to keep the dialogue open. Chancellor Smith also dispelled rumors that college campuses would close Fridays for services and instruction if negotiations for a Classified Professionals reduced work week were to be permanently implemented. The Chancellor also provided an update on the open faculty contract negotiations. He said the District will soon be working with all bargaining and meet-and-confer units to negotiate the implementation of a new statewide mandated 14-week paid pregnancy disability leave requirement and to discuss how increased healthcare premiums will be addressed given the expiration of the resource allocation formula (RAF), which in the past had guaranteed the District would cover all premiums, premium increases, and employee and employer contribution, since the District covers both.
BOARD ACTIONS
At its regular meeting of August 27, 2026, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:
- Announced the following actions from Closed Session: the Board approved the disciplinary action of expelling a San Diego Mesa College student from all colleges, campuses, programs, sites, and activities of the San Diego Community College District.
- Received the initial proposal for the successor collective bargaining agreement for the Police Officers Association, and sunshined documents and the District’s response.
- Heard public comment from Marc Grabiel who provided an update on the SPAA collective bargaining process and highlighted ways that SPAA employees are providing student support; Monica Romero who provided an update on the Management Association; Mona Alsoraimi-Espiritu and Norell Martinez who addressed the Board about the District’s Faculty distribution list (DL) email policy; and Catherine Shafer who addressed the board regarding her concerns about the board's feedback survey and how information was presented within it. City College Academic Senate (AS) President Nick Slinglend shared that the new academic year started with Flex Week and Convocation, where college employees reviewed shared goals for the coming year, including supporting students in the areas of belonging and identity, access to excellent education, and the inclusion of diverse voices when building the college’s future. He expressed excitement over Measure HH projects, particularly the student housing complex, and noted one major goal of the AS will be improving accessibility. Mesa College AS President Mary Gwin said the first AS meeting of the year will be August 31, and that some 50 Mesa College students were able to participate in summer study abroad programs in London and Madrid, and emphasized the opportunities these programs provided for preparing students for the workforce and increasing their cultural sensitivities. AS President Gwin said that she attended the AAPI community of practice event last month and learned how to better serve AANAPISI students, noting that federal funding sources for this community have ended, but that Mesa College will continue its commitment to serving these students and breaking down systemic barriers that affect them. She shared that the college Art Gallery is hosting its first exhibition of the year, running through November 17, and she expressed concern over required paid parking will create barriers for those trying to visit the gallery. She said she is looking forward to the October 5 college budget meeting and making sure new processes and procedures are communicated clearly to lessen impact on students and staff. Miramar College AS President Rodrigo Gomez thanked Chancellor Smith and Trustee Arroyo for their remarks during Convocation, and he reported that the Miramar College Mental Health and Wellness Services Department received the 2026 Excellence in Mental Health and Wellbeing Award from the Insights into Academia magazine, and it is the only community college in California to be recognized among 37 recipients across the nation. He shared that the college will host its Equity Summit on October 2, and that Mohammed Soriano-Belal will be the keynote speaker, and the first AS meeting will be September 1. He provided updates on the work around AI being done by the AS including its approach to agentic AI to coincide with previously passed AI resolutions; on students working to establish an AI Club for which he would be the advisor; and around recommendations to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office memorandum for building local frameworks on AI. College of Continuing Education AS President Richard Weinroth said that he is looking forward to serving another year and AS is putting together a committee for ongoing review and recommendations for screening and hiring committees.
- Reviewed the results of the Board of Trustees’ self-evaluation for 2025-26 and set goals for 2026-27. The Board members thanked all who participated in providing feedback regarding the Board’s performance and accomplishments as they continued to evaluate their accomplishments for the last year.
- Adopted resolutions to excuse Trustee Mariah Jameson from attendance at the July 16, 2026, Board Meeting due to a hardship; and authorizing the dissolution of the San Diego Community College District Administrative Facilities Corporation.
- Approved new or revised courses and programs following a presentation by Vice Chancellor Susan Topham and Mesa College President Ashanti Hands.
- Authorized an agreement with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs; and the designation of September 17, 2026, as Constitution Day at City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges.
- Authorized student travel for Miramar College students to attend the 59th Annual California Native American Day in Sacramento, from September 24-25, 2026; and accepted the annual Program Self-Evaluation for Child Development Centers at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges.
- Heard a presentation of the results of the District’s issuance and sale of San Diego Community College District (San Diego County, California) 2026 General Obligation Refunding Bonds by Vice Chancellor Dan Troy; and approved the District's Efforts to Prevent and Address Sex Discrimination Annual Report (2026) following a report by Title IX Coordinator Amber Eckert; and received a quarterly report of the budgeted expenses to actuals.
- Approved a grant increase from the Regents of the University of California to Mesa College for the Southern California Consortium for Data Science; and a grant extension from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for the Umoja program at Mesa College.
- Accepted grants from the CCCCO for the Puente Program at Mesa College; from the Foundation for Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community Colleges for Strong Workforce, including the Accelerating Career Education Outcomes Investments, Work-Based Learning Coordinator/Employer Engagement, and Sector Investments; and from the California Department of Social Services and the California Department of Education (CDE) for the operation of Child Development Centers at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges.
- Awarded RFB #27-01 for the one-time purchase of Facilities Services fleet vehicles to Sedano Ford; a cooperative agreement to Computerland of Silicon Valley for Microsoft 365 Suite Licenses; and awarded and entered into a contract with Arctiq US, Inc. to continue providing IT Program Project Manager services for Measure HH throughout all regions.
- Awarded bids for Parking Garage Overhead Door Replacement to Eroom Inc. for Mesa College and Continuing Education Harbor View; and to S.D. Sys Inc., DBA Superior Door Systems for Miramar College.
- Authorized the use of the Cathy Hopper Clairemont Friendship Center as an off-campus facility by College of Continuing Education; a lease agreement at 845 15th Street to L2HP, an HP Investors affiliated entity, to develop approximately 64-units for Student Family Housing; terminated the lease agreement at 1400 Park Boulevard with Russ Boulevard Holdings, LLC, but purchased improvements, trade fixtures, and furnishings; and amend the commercial lease for office space at 1450 Frazee Road that contains an option for purchase, at the timeline and entire discretion of the district. If the building is decided to be a good candidate for purchase, a separate board agenda will be drafted and will be subject to future Board approval.
- Awarded bids for the Mesa College Learning Resource Center Emergency Generator Replacement Project to Neema General Contracting; for Progressive Design Build Services to Align Builders, Inc. for the College of Continuing Education New Facilities Building; and to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. for the San Diego Community College District Joint Science Building at SDSU Mission Valley.
- Approved a change order for work that exceeds 10% of the original contract price to DPR Construction for the College of Continuing Education West City Expansion Project.
- Reviewed and ratified Emergency Actions taken to remediate water intrusion from a sink overflow in Room 301-lab in the MS Building at Mesa College; remediate water intrusion due to an angle stop on the third floor causing damage through to the first floor at the District Office; and to repair failed HVAC coils on the V-building at City College.
- Approved purchase orders and contracts completed during July 2026; Measure HH Project
Updates, notices to proceed, notices of completion, and change orders completed during
July 2026; the District’s Report of Participation in the San Diego County Investment
Pool; the mileage reimbursement rate for employees who use their personal car for
travel to 76 cents per mile, as established by the Internal Revenue Service; and various
personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective
on or after August 28, 2026.