SDCCD: Board Report: January 27, 2022

Press release from San Diego Community College District:

January 28, 2022

Special Report to the Public:

Trustee Geysil Arroyo welcomed back everyone in the New Year, and thanked them for their commitment at
the start of the semester to making sure students are able to have their best experience
possible. She said that she attended two virtual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. events,
with both the Alliance of San Diego and YMCA, and commended the organizers. She wished
everyone a good semester, and said she is looking forward to seeing people in person
soon.

Trustee Mary Graham welcomed everyone back for the spring semester. She thanked those who commented during
the meeting, and said governance only works when people participate. She also thanked
Chancellor Cortez for the list of legislative items he discussed in his report on legislative issues,
in particular AB 1187 which would increase student access to supervised tutoring,
and said it is a positive movement toward getting the state to recognize that students
are entitled to wraparound support. She said she echoed Trustee Arroyo’s comments on recent MLK events. Trustee Graham reported that the Board participated
in the initial strategic planning process and encouraged everyone to participate,
especially those who might not otherwise normally engage with the process. She reported
that she and Trustee Arroyo have been part of the planning process for the May 31 Chancellor Investiture event,
and participated with Trustee Senour in a meeting of the Accreditation, Student Equity and Success subcommittee ahead
of the upcoming accreditation process. And wished everyone well at the start of Black
History Month.

Trustee Craig Milgrim thanked all employees for their patience, diligence, and dedication
to students through the pandemic and leading up to the start of the spring semester.
He also echoed Trustee Graham’s call to participate in the strategic planning process.

Trustee Bernie Rhinerson wished everyone a happy New Year, and said he is ready for
the pandemic to pass. He echoed his fellow Trustees offering gratitude to employees
as the new semester begins under difficult circumstances. He reported that on January
29 he will attend the first meeting of the year of the Community College League of
California’s (CCLC) Advisory Committee on Legislation. He also reported that he is
serving on the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) technology committee,
which is working with staff to bring in new technology to benefit trustees, including
a learning management system, which would provide an easy education tool that is accessible
to all trustees across the county, that will launch in the fall. He also said this
process will eventually evolve into a technology providing best practices, which will
provide insight into what colleges across the country are doing to benefit students,
because it’s important to learn what others are doing in order to be the best trustees
possible. Trustee Rhinerson wished everyone a successful semester, and said that he
hopes graduation ceremonies and scholarship events can be in person this year.

Trustee Maria Nieto Senour said that she participated in the January 10 San Diego
and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association (SDICCCA) meeting, and in the
Accreditation, Student Equity and Success subcommittee with Trustee Graham. She said that these past couple of years have been difficult. She appreciates the
flexibility that people have shown as the District works toward its goal of keeping
everyone safe while also delivering what students need to be successful.

Chancellor Carlos Cortez reported that on January 31, members of the Board of Trustees,
student leaders, and executive administrators will participate in the District's annual
Sacramento legislative lobbying day, coordinated by the Community College League of
California. He reported that AB 1187 (Irwin), AB 1602 (McCarty), and AB 1719 (Ward)
will be among the bills the District will be advocating for. With the state of California
anticipating excess funding this year, he said the District is advocating for one-time
funding to address long-term structural deficits in the budget, by prioritizing an
increase to base funding, pension relief, instructional equipment, and deferred maintenance.
He reported that the District is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic's impact
on the greater San Diego community, and as a precaution, the District made a decision
over the winter break to shift most operations and instructional programming online
for the month of January, including spring convocations that took place this week.
He added that many courses that are scheduled to be offered in-person, on campus will
be moved online for the first two weeks of February, and that most employees will
be expected to return to work on campus full-time in early March as numbers continue
to decrease. He thanked all employees and students for their commitment to the District’s
success during difficult times. Chancellor Cortez reported that at the December 16
Board meeting, where the annual organizational meeting took place, he was asked to
compose the Budget Study and Audit subcommittee, to which Trustees Milgrim and Rhinerson were appointed, and Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness for Student
Equity and Inclusion (formerly the subcommittee on Accreditation, Student Equity and
Success) to which Trustees Graham and Senour were appointed. He reported that City College, in partnership with tribal leaders
from the Kumeyaay Nation, announced on Thursday their official land recognition, including
a number of critical supports for Native American students, and thanked President
Ricky Shabazz for his leadership on his efforts. Chancellor Cortez congratulated Mesa College President
Pam Luster for being awarded the Olympian Spirit Lifetime Award. He reported that Miramar College
Foundation received a $10,000 grant from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) in support
of Fire Academy Scholarships, and that the College of Continuing Education started
the design process for the renovation of its historic Education Cultural Complex theater.
Chancellor Cortez encouraged everyone to engage in the public forums for the position
of president at the College of Continuing Education. The forum date will be announced
soon. He also recognized Vice Chancellor Chris Manis on his retirement after eight years of service with the District where he successfully
oversaw the management of the $1.6 billion construction bond program, which provided
new instructional and career training facilities and extensive modernizations, public
safety and accessibility enhancements, parking and infrastructure projects at City,
Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges; generated more than 10,000 prevailing
wage jobs; and implemented vital sustainability practices. He reported that on Thursday,
the Board of Trustees met with MIG to initiate the District’s strategic planning process,
and he encouraged all employees, students, and community members to participate in
the development process. Chancellor Cortez welcomed new students and wished all students
and employees a productive spring semester.

Student Trustee Edward Borek reported that all credit colleges held Convocation events
this week. He shared that scholarships are still open, with most having applications
due the middle of February, at all credit colleges. Student Trustee Borek provided
a reminder that on-campus parking will be free in the spring semester, and anyone
who purchased a permit already will be reimbursed. He also reported that at Mesa College,
the theatre company is holding auditions. At Miramar College, Student Trustee Borek
said a Welcome Back event was held outdoors on January 25 and provided tours to help
familiarize students with the campus, as well as mental health activities and a club
rush. He said the Miramar College Associated Student Government also passed a resolution
on zero cost textbooks that will be shared with the Academic Senate. He reported that
the United Student Council met and discussed the upcoming CCLC Annual Legislative
Conference from January 30-31, and where Student Trustee Borek also introduced a resolution
that was passed regarding student trustee compensation increases to make sure equitable
practices are being followed when the rest of the Board receives increases.

At its regular meeting of January 27, 2022, which was conducted in a virtual format,
the Board of Trustees:

- Heard public comment from City College student Mary Planeta who said that she is seeking a religious exemption from the District vaccine mandate
in order to be able to take classes that aren’t offered online and which she needs
before transferring to a four-year university, and from Miramar College student Alexandria Gonzalez Poiset who received an email on January 12 saying she was no longer eligible for classes
due to her vaccination status, which she said she felt was done in a manner that did
not allow time to make an appeal. Mesa College AS President John Crocitti reported that the faculty is working to start the semester in as organized a manner
as possible with a staggered return for some classes and others returning the week
of February 22. Everyone is working together for the benefit of students. He ended
his remarks expressing hope for an improved situation. Miramar College AS President
Laura Murphy said that earlier in the day the college hosted its spring kickoff event followed
by college and department meetings. The faculty continues to address issues created
by the COVID pandemic including a drop in enrollment. They are focusing on Guided
Pathways, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and program review.

- Following public comment from Matthew Poiset, who stated his opposition, adopted a resolution in compliance with Government Code section 54953(e), as amended (AB 361), allowing
virtual meetings.

- Accepted the District’s 2020-21 Independent Auditor’s Reports, which were conducted by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. Audits for the five major funds
in the District were provided: General Fund, Proposition S Fund, Proposition N Fund,
the SDCC Auxiliary Organization, and the Social Security Alternative Plan. The Board’s
Budget Study and Audit Subcommittee (Trustees Milgrim and Rhinerson) had reviewed the audits in depth with Executive Vice Chancellor Bonnie Dowd and Chancellor Carlos Cortez prior to the meeting. Auditor David Robydek addressed the Board regarding the audits. The audits were unmodified, and several
findings were identified.

- Heard a presentation on the bond refunding for 2021 General Obligation Refunding Bond Sale (Propositions S and N) by Christen Gair of RBC Capital Markets and Executive Vice
Chancellor Dowd, noting this effort has saved taxpayers $38.1 million, and a total of $308.6 million
in combined savings through five refunding series since the sale of original bonds.

- Approved new or revised courses and programs following comments by Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Susan Topham.

- Authorized agreements with health care agencies for use of clinical facilities by
students enrolled in District health occupation programs; with the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Grant at San
Diego City College; with the Foundation for Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District for the Strong Workforce Program (SWP) at Miramar College; and with the California
Department of Social Services for Child Development programs at City, Mesa, and Miramar
colleges.

- Accepted grants from the U.S. Department of Education for the San Diego State University Hispanic-Serving Institution STEM and Articulation
Program and for the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program at City College.

- Accepted a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the Biomedical Research and Research Training, IRACDA at City College.

- Authorized an amendment to the institutional contribution for the Federal Work Study program at Miramar College.

- Authorized the use of classrooms at America’s Finest Charter High School by the College of Continuing Education.

- Awarded a contract to Whillock Contracting, Inc. for the demolition of the E Building at City College.

- Approved purchase orders completed during November and December 2021; and the mileage reimbursement rate for
employees who use their personal car for travel to 58.5 cents per mile, as established
by the Internal Revenue Service; the sabbatical leave for an employee at City College
for the spring 2022 semester; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after
January 28, 2022.

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