Special Report to the Public:
Geysil Arroyo
Trustee Geysil Arroyo said that she enjoyed the company of the student trustees and employees who supported the success of all the conferences and trips that took place in the past month. She reported that she attended the AFT Guild’s panel on “How to Protect Our Most Vulnerable Students” at the Educational Cultural Center where Chancellor Gregory Smith, Alliance San Diego Executive Director Andrea Guerreo, ACLU Senior Policy Advocate Felicia Gomez, Mesa College LGBTQIA+ Center Counselor Lucio Lira, and City Councilmember Sean Elo Rivera participated, and she noted it was a very powerful and informative event to educate the community about their rights and how to protect students and employees. She concluded by recognizing Dean Luke Menchaca for his excellent work helping to prepare the student trustees for meetings with state and national legislators.
Mariah Jameson
Trustee Mariah Jameson reported that she attended the Community College League of California Legislative (CCLC) Conference in Sacramento, the UMOJA Black Excellence Meet and Greet, and the Black Employee Luncheon with Chancellor Smith at City College.
Dr. Marichu Magaña
Trustee Marichu Magaña reported that she attended the CCLC Legislative Conference in Sacramento, which included a workshop for new trustees, the Community College Baccalaureate Association conference in Austin, Texas, and legislative sessions in Washington DC with student trustees, who she remarked are the best and noted that they proudly represented the District and their peers. She also said that she is proud of Chancellor Smith and heard praise at the various events she attended.
Craig Milgrim
Trustee Craig Milgrim said that he celebrated his birthday. He also remarked that January 27 marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and said it’s important to remember how easy it was for people in power to murder others because they didn’t like them. He also reported that he listened to an episode of “On” with Kara Swisher where a member of the Democratic party stated the focus shouldn’t be on who uses what bathroom, but rather talking about math, science, and reading and how to do better in education. Trustee Milgrim said that he believes the opposite because the only way students can learn effectively is in a safe environment where they are allowed to be themselves.
Dr. Maria Nieto Senour
Trustee Maria Nieto Senour reported that she went to Sacramento and Austin where at each event Chancellor Smith was lauded by others, and she said the District is lucky to have him.
Gregory Smith
Chancellor Gregory Smith reported that a contingent from the SDCCD, including student trustees from all four colleges, went to Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of the District while meeting with local representatives, and he thanked Vice Chancellor Jack Beresford and videographer David Brooks for putting together a highlight video from the Washington, D.C., trip. He reported that February 21 marks the due date for state legislative proposals, and, in working with Los Angeles Community College District and MiraCosta College, the SDCCD has been working on a bill to expand ways to use Strong Workforce funds, which has resulted in Assemblymember Mike Fong introducing AB 323 which would allow districts to provide paid internships. He said the District also has been advocating for legislation that would define noncredit colleges and centers in the Education Code and provide categorical program funding to those institutions with a focus initially on basic needs, DSPS, mental health, Student Equity and Achievement Programs (SEAP), and veteran resource center programs. Chancellor Smith reported that currently the District receives funds solely on credit college enrollments which are then allocated across all four colleges. A budget advocacy priority for the coming year, he said, will be increasing growth funding, backfilling underfunded growth from the prior and current year, restoring $60 million to the Strong Workforce program, and creating a flexible block grant that would allow districts to address any reductions in federal funding, expand services for undocumented and LGBTQIA+ students, and provide natural disaster relief.
Chancellor Smith thanked the Board, and noted he couldn’t do his job the way he’s doing it without their support. He also thanked the AFT for its panel during Flex Week at the Educational Cultural Center, and noted he took to heart a comment from City Councilmember Sean Elo Rivera who expressed that he didn’t want to be on the defensive for the next four years but wants to continue making progress. He also thanked the District Governance Council (DGC) for their support in amending AP 3415 regarding non-participation in immigration enforcement activities, and noted that, while he won’t respond to everything that sounds scary or is making headlines from the Federal Government, when action is needed to be taken, he will provide districtwide communication. Chancellor Smith said he is hosting a districtwide Town Hall event on February 26 at Mesa College and on Zoom. He thanked the colleges and District, particularly Dean Lillian Garcia, for hosting “know your rights” events. He reported that, along with 20 members of the SDCCD, he traveled to Arizona State University to explore its immersive education work, which are seeing amazing successes, and hopes to explore its Dreamscape Learn virtual reality system for possible implementation across the District. Chancellor Smith recognized Black History Month and the districtwide events taking place, and noted a particularly moving visit to the National Museum of African American Culture and History while he was in Washington DC. Regarding the February 14 Dear Colleague letter received by the District, Chancellor Smith said he is confident the SDCCD is compliant with federal and state laws, and he has no intention to stop what the colleges are doing to advance DEI in support of students. He concluded by saying the Police Advisory Committee completed its work on conducted electronic devices (CEDs)/tasers, but has asked for more stakeholder input from student ASGs and DGC before bringing a recommendation to the Board.
Dalia Ramirez
Student Trustee Dalia Ramirez thanked Chancellor Smith and the Board for providing the opportunity for all of the student trustees to be a part of recent advocacy trips. She reported that City College’s Transfer Center, EOPS and Undocumented Resource Center have been hosting meet-and-greet events and activities to encourage students to take advantage of the resources available to them. She said City College has supports for all students no matter if they’re first year or returning, and regardless of race, gender, or citizenship status. She reported that Mesa College hosted Welcome Week events from February 3-7 and included a highlight of a visit from miniature horses that are part of the veterinary technician program. Student Trustee Ramirez reported that Miramar College Associated Student Government held on February 4-5 a Welcome Back resource fair, which included resources for transfer, outreach, and EOPS, live music, food and therapy dogs. She said College of Continuing Education hosted an AFT Guild session on “How to Protect Your Most Valuable Asset” ASL policy advocacy.
BOARD ACTIONS
At its regular meeting of February 20, 2025, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:
- Heard public comment from Nicole Judd who spoke in favor of the 32-hour work week. City College Academic Senate (AS) President Mona Alsoraimi-Espiritu reported that the AS has been busy in various ad-hoc workgroups including an AI Workgroup that is facilitating a community of practice and writing a draft position paper for AS review in March. She shared that professional development has included anti-racism trainings. Mesa College AS President-Elect Mary Gwin thanked Chancellor Smith for changing the date of his forum so it would not conflict with the upcoming AS meeting. She said there was a busy agenda, including a resolution opposing deployment of Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs). She said there are many Black History Month events upcoming as well as an anniversary celebration for the Mesa College Pride Center. March will be busy with Women’s History Month events including a tribute to Black Women poets and authors. In addition, the Mesa College Research Conference will be held on May 16 with a focus on diversity. Miramar College AS President Pablo Martin shared that the AS held its first meeting and there is excitement about the equity plan template coming out. There is also excitement about the recently approved bond and how it might address facilities and infrastructure needs on campus. He thanked Vice Chancellor Joel Peterson and Vice President Brett Bell for sharing information. He mentioned concerns about fraudulent students and the impact on our students and campus. He thanked those who are working to address the issue proactively. He said the college will be hosting the San Diego Regional Science Olympiad this weekend for middle school students and thanked Chancellor Smith for his leadership around student rights, goals, and purposes of the California Community College system as well as his support of participatory governance on the issue of CEDs. He concluded by saying two workgroups are wrapping up with recommendations to come. College of Continuing Education Classified Senate President Esther Anthony-Thomas provided a report on behalf of the Classified Senates. She thanked Chancellor Smith and the Board for their leadership. She thanked donors for support of the Classified Senate Scholarship which includes six $500 scholarships at the College of Continuing Education. Plans are underway for a STAR Conference which is focused on classified professionals. She credited Chancellor Smith for bringing people together over lunch where many shared their personal stories. Mesa College provided an update that its Classified Senate has been working to support classified professionals. Last semester they held a fundraiser that raised over $800 for a scholarship, for which 14 classified professionals, NANCE, and work study employees applied.
- Conducted the second reading of a new Chapter 5 – Student Services board policy.
- Adopted a resolution reaffirming the Board's commitment to access, well-being, safety, health, and success of the San Diego Community College District's diverse student communities.
- Approved the Seasonal or Special Occasion Flag Flying Schedule for Academic Year 2025-26; a revised Board Meeting Schedule for January 2025 through June 2025; and appointed or reappointed Trustee Advisory Council members Clint Carney, Ana Ruiz Garcia, Jeff Marston, and Gary Rotto (nominated by Trustee Marichu Magaña); Ellen Nash and Bill Ponder (nominated by Trustee Mariah Jameson); Alberto Ochoa and Becky Phillpott (nominated by Trustee Geysil Arroyo); Martha Rañon and Mark Tran (nominated by Trustee Maria Nieto Senour); and Andrew Yoshimura and Peter Zschiesche (nominated by Trustee Craig Milgrim).
- Authorized agreements with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs.
- Appointed Masahiro Omae, College of Continuing Education Vice President Instructional Services to the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) San Diego Adult Education Regional Consortium (SDAERC).
- Authorized travel to the Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education Conference in Oakland, CA, from April 9 to 11, 2025, for City College students; the Anza-Borrego Desert Park on March 14-16, 2025, for Mesa College students; and Mesa College Study Abroad program from June 20 to July 11, 2025, in London, England.
- Entered into contracts with J.E. Moore Consulting Inc. to provide management and coordination services for the ECC Theatre Renovation Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) with a pilot of the Plan Perfect Management Platform; for a 60-day CUPCCAA Public Works contract with A1157 Design Solutions, LLC dba Cultura, to procure and install furniture for Miramar S5-107; and with West Coast Consulting Group, Inc. to standardize Districtwide Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) for the four colleges and District office to ensure compliance with state and federal expectations.
- Established, approved bylaws for, and appointed members to, the Measure HH Citizens’
Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) in accordance with Proposition 39.
Approved a change order with GQ Builders for the painting project at the District
Office; and ratified Emergency Action taken pursuant to PCC 22050 to locate and repair
a hydronic leak in the underground hot water system at Mesa College.
- Heard a presentation from Vice Chancellor Dan Troy and Karma Pemba from RBC Capital Markets on the results of the Districts Election of General Obligation Bonds.
- Accepted grants from the U.S. Department of Education for the Yo Soy STEM program at City College, for Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity financial aid at Mesa College, and for Federal Work-Study programs at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges; from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office for the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Grant at City College; and from the California Department of Social Services for Child Development Centers at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges.
- Accepted grants from the Foundation for Grossmont-Cuyamaca Colleges for Strong Workforce Program Dual Enrollment and Cosmetology-Barbering programs at City College; Work Based Learning and College Marketing activities at Miramar College; and districtwide Regional Accelerating Career Education Outcomes Initiatives.
- Entered into an agreement with the Foundation for the California Community Colleges for Program Pathways Mapper at Miramar College.
Following public comment from Diana Vera-Alba, Eric Miller, and Ildi Carillo, accepted grant adjustments from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity, Act Title II for Adult Education and Family Literacy at College of Continuing Education.
- Approved a change in tuition for nonresidents from $356 to $369 per unit.
- Approved purchase orders and contracts completed during January 2025; new or revised courses and programs; the District’s Report on participation in the San Diego County Investment Pool; the 2024-2025 Second Quarter Financial Report and received a quarterly report on the budgeted expenses to actuals; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after February 21, 2025.