SDCCD : Board Report: October 7, 2021

Press release from San Diego Community College District:

October 8, 2021

Special Report to the Public:

Trustee Geysil Arroyo reported that she and the other trustees attended the Trustee
Advisory Council meeting on September 30 and heard from local stakeholders in the
community, as well as a presentation from Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Susan
Topham and Dean of Online & Distributed Learning Brian Weston about the various course
formats to be offered post-COVID-19. She also said she attended the October 1 press
conference at the Educational Cultural Complex where it was announced that the College
of Continuing Education secured $35 million in funding from the State of California
to restore the historic ECC Theatre thanks to the efforts of Senate pro Tempore Toni
Atkins and other local government officials.

Trustee Mary Graham said that she was unable to attend the ECC press conference, but
recognized that the community has long awaited such a transformation of the theater
space. Trustee Graham also recognized that the state’s community college baccalaureate
program would not have been possible were it not for the efforts of former SDCCD Board Member and
State Senator Marty Block who championed the legislation, and acknowledged Chancellor
Emerita Constance Carroll and others for their efforts, as well.

Trustee Bernie Rhinerson reported that the ACCT Leadership Congress is being held
October 13-16 in San Diego and 1,000 trustees from around the country will attend
the event, which will allow for the SDCCD to highlight its colleges and the San Diego
area, including a welcome dinner at City College on October 12. He said that during
the conference, he and fellow Trustees will give presentations on the District’s response
to COVID-19 and entrepreneurial education; in preparation for this, he met with a
Miramar College student who launched Cromchies, a healthy wafer cookie business, with
the help of the Miramar REC Innovation Lab that is current supporting 42 student companies,
some of which will be featured on Shark Tank.

Trustee Maria Nieto Senour reported that the October 1 press conference was well attended
by local officials including former Board Member and current Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera,
Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe, Assemblymember Chris Ward, and Senators Toni
Akins and Ben Hueso, and said she appreciated the story of some found boxes of photos
and awards that led Chancellor Cortez to launch the fundraising campaign. She also
expressed delight over the passage of AB 927 and said it will provide community colleges
the opportunity to offer much-needed degrees to people who otherwise may not have
gotten a bachelor’s degree.

Chancellor Carlos Cortez reported that AB 576 (Maienschein), which would allow community
colleges to offer closed classes on military bases, and AB 927 (Medina), which would
make permanent the baccalaureate pilot and expand four-year degrees across the state
system have been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria visited
the Homelessness Program for Engaged Educational Resources (PEER) at San Diego City
College, shortly after the City of San Diego renewed funding for the program. Mesa
College has been awarded their first ANAPISI (Asian American Native American Pacific
Islander - Serving Institutions) grant from the U.S. Department of Education, which
will provide $1.5 million to support underserved Asian American, Native American,
and  Pacific Islander students. Miramar College has preparations underway for their
inaugural Equity Conference that will include a keynote address from Chancellor Emerita Constance
Carroll. The College of Continuing Education’s Education Cultural Complex held a press
conference to announce a $35 million grant to renovate the historic theater, which
was made possible by California Senators Toni Atkins and Ben Hueso along with Assemblymembers Lorena
Gonzalez, Chris Ward, and Akilah Weber. He also shared that he attended the October
2-4 National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship's Board of Directors
meeting and annual conference at the Mall of American near Minneapolis, Minnesota. He
shared that he met family members of George Floyd and visited George Floyd Square
and is optimistic about a potential partnership with the new George Floyd Global Memorial.
Next week, the District will serve as the host institution for the fall 2021 Congress
of the Association of Community College Trustees, which will convene in San Diego.
ACCT will recognize Margaret Lamb, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, with the
2021 Pacific Region Professional Board Staff Member Award for her exemplary service,
and is nominated for the national award. The award will be announced publicly during
the ACCT Leadership Congress. He also offered special thanks to City College students Rebecca
Webb and Francisco Hernandez for their contributions to today’s college presentation.

Student Trustee Victoria Owusu announced that the City College Associated Student
Government (ASG) voted to increase its scholarship fund from $7,000 to $10,000, add
more feminine product dispensers to campus restrooms, and increase the number of water
dispensers around campus. She reported that Mesa College is working on Homecoming
plans, as well as Homeless and Hunger Awareness and Restorative Justice weeks; and
that its Associated Students (AS) elections are now closed. At Miramar College, she reported
that the ASG partnered with the campus Equity Summit, October 28-29, for a Student
Art Contest and scholarship in honor of Chancellor Emerita Constance Carroll; the
ASG is working on organizing in-person, outdoor events for Fall Fest and Indigenous
People’s Day; and ASG President and Student Trustee Edward Borek acknowledged the
District for helping raise $5,000 for the September 23-25 AIDS Walk & Run. Student
Trustee Owusu also reported that at the College of Continuing Education, the Associated
Student Body (ASB) is preparing to hold an election, and they are highlighting Hispanic
Heritage Month on social media. She also reported that at the United Student Council
it was shared that the ACCT dinner will be held at City College on October 12, and
that the District has created student-focused videos relating to the opening of financial
aid applications for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California
DREAM Act.

At its regular meeting of October 7, 2021, which was conducted in a virtual format,
the Board of Trustees:

- Announced the following action from Closed Session: unanimously denied an appeal
of the administrative determination of a Title 5 Investigation.

- Held a campus meeting with City College that included welcome remarks from President Ricky
Shabazz, Vice President of Instruction Tillie Chavez, Vice President of Administrative
Services John Parker, Acting Vice President of Student Services Marciano Perez, Jr.,
Academic Senate Acting President Darius Spearman, Classified Senate President Sean
Ryan, Supervisory and Professional Administrators Association Site Director Josolyn
Hill, and Associated Students Government President and Student Trustee Victoria Owusu;
a presentation on Welcome Home City from Emily Saldine, David Howard, Michael Evans, Zaira
Martinez and Marco Circosta; a presentation on the PEER Program from Masa Omae, Kirin
Macapugay, Jennifer Cosio, Jose Enriquez, Rebecca Webb, and San Diego Housing Commission
Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Lisa Jones; a presentation on MathX
Mental Health: A Collaborative Pilot Program from Leslie Easton, Nadia Sayeh, Alex
Felty, and Carlos de la Lama; a presentation on the VITA Program from Rose LaMuraglia, Shana
Carr, and Francisco Hernandez; a presentation on Campus Ready from James Covalt, Matlida
Chavez, John Parker, and Marciano Perez, Jr.; and closing remarks from President Shabazz.

- Heard public comment from Stanley Nadal who voiced concern about the recent resolution
from the American Federation of Teachers Guild, Local 1931’s regarding the Occupied
Palestinian Territories. City College Academic Senate (AS) President Darius Spearman shared
that the college celebrated Asian-Pacific Islander culture September 27 through October
3 with a panel of students and employees; and that October is Disability Employment
Awareness Month with a focus on disability justice. Mesa College AS President John
Crocitti reported that the college has initiated a long-term study of a proctoring
center which would benefit distance education students and others with exams. Miramar
College AS President-Elect Pablo Martin said the college is one of the top in the
state for guided pathways; that scholarship criteria is being reviewed with an equity-based
lens; the Leading Equity, Anti-Racism and Diversity (LEAD) Office will present its
inaugural Equity Summit on October 28-29 where Chancellor Emerita Constance Carroll will
speak about her DEI work and Mayor Todd Gloria will be presenting; discussions are
underway about which possible baccalaureate programs could be proposed; and events
are being held to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month and Indigenous Peoples Day.

- Approved the selection of criteria to be utilized in drawing trustee areas in compliance
with the California Voting Rights Act and Federal Voting Rights Act provisions regarding Board of
Trustees elections, following a presentation by Legal Services/EEO Director Ljubisa
Kostic and demographer Priti Mathur.

- Approved the Board Meeting schedule for January 2022 through June 2022.

- Adopted a resolution pursuant to Government Code section 54953 (e) as amended (AB
361), allowing for virtual meetings.

- Following a presentation by Executive Vice Chancellor Bonnie Ann Dowd and Stradling
Yocca Carlson & Rauth attorney David G. Casnocha, and a recommendation by Chancellor Carlos
Cortez, adopted a resolution authorizing the refunding/refinancing of General Obligation
Bonds in order to provide a major financial saving for the taxpayers.

- Approved new or revised courses following comments by Vice Chancellor of Educational
Services Susan Topham.- Entered into an agreement with health care agencies for use of clinical facilities
by students enrolled in District health occupations programs.

-Heard reports on 2021 Veterans Day activities at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges,
the College of Continuing Education, and the District Office and on a Request for
Proposals that will be released to find a consulting firm to assist in the development
of a Districtwide Strategic Plan both by Vice Chancellor Susan Topham.

- Entered into a subcontract agreement with the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca
Colleges for the Strong Workforce Pathway Navigation at City College.

- Approve the submission of the SDCCD State Scheduled Maintenance Five-Year Plan (2021-22
through 2025-26) to the California Community Colleges system office.

- Accepted a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for Asian American and Native
American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) “Equity, Empathy & Excellence”
to reduce equity gaps and increase academic success, retention, graduation and transfer
rates at Mesa College.

- Entered into agreements with the Biocom Institute for the AMGEN Biotech Experience
to San Diego County High Schools and Community Colleges at Miramar College; and with
the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to provide
the Academy Instructor Certification Course (AICC) at Miramar College.

- Approved an amendment to the consultant agreement with Roseling Nakamura and Terada
Architects, Inc. in connection with Proposition N master planning services relating
to campus student housing at City College.

- Approved purchase orders completed during the month of August 2021; various personnel
actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or
after October 8, 2021; and the 2021-22 Annual Financial Report.

- Established and funded Women’s Beach Volleyball team as a co-curricular sport at
San Diego Miramar College.

This press release was produced by San Diego Community College District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.