San Diego Community College District

Special Report to the Public:

Geysil Arroyo

Trustee Geysil Arroyo shared that she attended the commencements and a press conference with Congresswoman Sara Jacobs at the Mesa College Family Resource Center, which was inspiring. She also mentioned that it is Pride Month and Men’s Health Month, which is an important public health effort given that many men do not take steps to ensure their health.

Mary Graham

Trustee Mary Graham reported that she attended the commencements and some of the classified professionals awards events. She concluded by wishing people a happy summer solstice.

Craig Milgrim

Trustee Craig Milgrim shared that it is the longest day of the year with shorter but hotter days ahead. He also shared that Our Time to Act, apolitical advocacy group, reached out to explore partnering on planning a youth leadership conference.

Bernie Rhinerson

Trustee Bernie Rhinerson said he enjoyed the commencements he was able to attend and that it was a great “smile season.” He shared that he recently visited Croatia and Switzerland to recharge and focus on supporting the bond campaign. He said at the July 11 meeting, the Board will consider an agenda item to add a $3.5 billion bond on the ballot in November, for which there is a considerable need across the District. He shared that during his vacation, he was reminded of the importance of democracy when he met a family from the Ukraine that was displaced by the war. He said it was important for everyone to vote from the top of ballot with the president, all the way down to ballot measures at the bottom to protect our democracy.

Dr. Maria Nieto Senour

Trustee Maria Nieto Senour attended all the commencements and news conferences, including the June 17 news conference with Congressman Juan Vargas, and wished people a restful summer. She said that she will be visiting Iceland with family.

Gregory Smith

Chancellor Gregory Smith, along with the Board members, congratulated and welcomed the District’s new student trustees. He reported the District is eagerly awaiting finalization of the state budget, which is expected by the end of next week and which is expecting to be favorable and avoid harmful cuts or deferrals. He said he will send out a communication to the District when the state budget is approved, which will include details on our tentative budget.

Chancellor Smith offered congratulations to City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges on their accreditation reaffirmation, which is the culmination of thousands of hours of work among faculty, classified professionals, supervisors, and managers. He reported that earlier this week, he had the opportunity to attend the opening of the meditation garden at the Terra Mesa Community Garden at Mesa College and said the garden is a great example of what can be accomplished when we invest resources in students and provide opportunities to create space. He welcomed new Vice Chancellor of People, Culture, and Technology Services Jared Burns who spoke and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity. Chancellor Smith shared an update on the emergency situation ratified by the board at its May 16 meeting under PCC 22050 (Emergency Action). Public Contracting Code requires that an update be provided to the Board at each regularly scheduled meeting until the Emergency Action has been terminated. The existing 12kVbreaker has been replaced and the original breaker was sent out for repair to serve as an in-stock spare. The 12kV transformer was sent for repairs with an estimated return date of mid- to late-July. Power for the CDC is restored using a portable generator until the transformer is repaired and reinstalled. To date, of the
$145.420.00 emergency contract, total expenditures amount to $57,857.00. He concluded by sharing that the police advisory committee will not be meeting over the summer so the next update to the board will come in the fall.

Zora Williams

Student Trustee Zora Williams reported that in May 2024, City College hosted the districtwide Undocumented Students Conference. Various workshops and information sessions were offered, culminating in a resource fair. On May 31, 2024, SDCCD and Mesa College hosted Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, who presented a check for $1,966,279 to the District for facilities improvements at Mesa College’s Family Resource Center (FRC) as well as at the Miramar College Regional Public Safety Institute. On, May 31, Miramar College held a flag-raising ceremony for the LGBTQIA+ community in honor of PRIDE month. On June 3, the College of Continuing Education hosted a Pride Celebration in support of the local LGBTQIA+ community. Attendees enjoyed a vibrant drag queen show, poetry, and songs from Khalil Bluex, Amber St. James, and Lady Blanca.

Board Actions

At its regular meeting of June 20, 2024, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:

- Announced the following actions from Closed Session approved the 2023-2026 Management Association Handbook; approved the termination of the employment of a tenured academic employee at San Diego Miramar College, as required under Section 87732 of the California Education Code. The Board also voted in open session to implement the of termination of the employment of a classified employee at San Diego City College, as required under Section 88013(b) of the California Education Code.

- Administered the Oath of Office to Student Trustees: Narly “Dalia” Ramirez (City College), Zora Williams (Mesa College), Hailey Hua (Miramar College), and Martha “Haydee” Zuniga (College of Continuing Education).

- Heard public comment from Victor Chen who addressed the board on a closed session agenda item; and Luisa Davila, Brenda Torres, Catherine Cannock, and Natali Torres who addressed the board in support of a 32-hour work week. Mesa College Academic Senate (AS) President Andrew Hoffman shared that Mesa College had a record number of graduates this year and thanked those who attended the commencement. The college also received its accreditation results and that the college was reaffirmed for 18 months with some areas to focus on during that time. The college opened its meditation garden and is hosting a movie day for the LGBTQIA+ community. SDCCE AS President Richard Weinroth thanked the Board and Chancellor Smith for participation at the SDCCE Commencement. He requested that the term “families of choice” be included when referring to student supporters.

- Adopted revisions to Chapter 3 – General Institution, Chapter 6 – Business and Financial Services, and Chapter 7 Human Resources (first readings5/16/24) board policies as part of a comprehensive six-year review to ensure currency.

- Adopted resolutions to support the Assembly Bill 2093 (Santiago): California College Promise: fee waiver eligibility and funding formula and Senate Bill 1348 (Bradford) Postsecondary education: California Black- Serving Institutions Program.

- Adopted the Joint Board Goals developed during the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees and the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education; and new or revised courses and programs following a presentation by Vice Chancellor of Susan Topham, Miramar College President Wes Lundberg, and Vice President Michael Odu.

- Following remarks by Chancellor Smith and an in-depth report by Acting Vice Chancellor Nancy Lane, approved the Tentative Budget for FY2024-25. The total District Budget of $1,027,631,350 includes income, appropriations, and expenses for all District funds. The budget had been reviewed by the Board’s Budget Study and Audit Subcommittee (Trustees Craig Milgrim and Maria Nieto Senour for Bernie Rhinerson).

- Approved the appointment and employment contract of Jared Burns as Vice Chancellor of People, Culture, and Technology Services.

- Authorized travel of students from City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and College of Continuing Education for purposes of intercollegiate team competition, tournaments, approved out of season competition, student leadership, academic program competition, and related activities from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

- Approved the two-year occupational review for City, Mesa, Miramar and Continuing Education colleges as mandated by Education Code 78016; career education industry advisory committee members for City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges; and the new Supervisory and Professional Administrators Association unit salary schedule, effective July 1, 2024.

- Authorized an agreement with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs.

- Accepted grants from the San Diego Housing Commission for the Program for Engaged Educational Resources (PEER) at City College; from the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency for Mental Health Services Act at City College; and from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for the Zero-Textbook-Cost (ZTC) Degree Grant program at Miramar College; and to implement local and systemwide technology and data security (LSTADS) measure.

- Accepted grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Family-Friendly Study Centers at Mesa College; for the School of Public Safety Renovation at Miramar College; and Utility and Water Improvements at San Diego College of Continuing Education.

- Accepted grants from the U.S. Department of Labor for Gateway to College and Career Program; from the Foundation for Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community Colleges for the Dual Enrollment Implementation Investment Initiatives; and from the California Department of Education for the operation of Child Development Centers at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges.

- Awarded contracts to Complete Office and Southwest School Supply for the purchase of reprographic specialty paper products districtwide; to Advantage Mailing LLC for districtwide printing and mailing services; to Diagnostic Imaging Systems, Inc. for veterinary x-ray machines at Mesa College; and to Nelnet for payment processing for student financials.

- Adopted the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Plan for 2023-26.

- Authorized the use of Father Joe’s Villages, Cherokee Point Elementary, and Hope Lutheran Church as an off-campus facilities by College of Continuing Education.

- Awarded a contract to A. Preman Roofing, Inc. for fluid-applied roofing restoration at Mid-City Campus; and DLR Group update District design and construction standards.

- Consideration of projects to be included in the District’s five-Year Capital Construction Plan commencing FY 2026-2030 subject to revisions and requirements as issued by the CCCCO.

- Approved purchase orders completed during May 2024; applications for sabbatical leaves for the 2024-2025 academic year; and contracts of employment for certain president, vice chancellor, and vice president, and other positions; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after June 21, 2024.