JUNE 10, 2021
BOARD REPORT
SPECIAL REPORT TO THE PUBLIC Trustee Geysil Arroyo welcomed the new student trustees. She said that she attended the Classified Professionals Award ceremonies at the colleges; saw the unveiling of the new mural featuring Chancellor Constance M. Carroll at City College; and saw some of the commencement programs and congratulated those who graduated. Trustee Arroyo also attended her first in-person event as a Board member for the June 3 grand opening of the City College Child Development Center, which was the 43rd and last new building from the Propositions S and N program, and she said it was a pleasure to meet people in person. She also thanked Chancellor Constance M. Carroll for her service and said it was a pleasure to work with her, even for a short time. Trustee Mary Graham said that she watched the virtual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE), May 31 through June 4, and thought of Academic Senate President Manuel Velez and his message for the inclusion of ethnic study requirements in the college curriculum. She also welcomed the new student trustees, and said she looks forward to meeting them in person. Trustee Graham requested a call for advocacy in relation to SANDAG’s San Diego Forward transportation plan and asked that people express support to raise the youth-pass age limit from 18to 24-years of age. Trustee Graham thanked Chancellor Carroll for her service to the District. Trustee Craig Milgrim welcomed the new Student Trustees, and said that he has already worked with Student Trustee Edward Borek and is looking forward to working with others over the next year. He said that he attended the Classified Professional Awards ceremonies and commented that his 26 years teaching at Grossmont College were only possible with the help of classified employees and that he has a great appreciation for their contributions. Trustee Milgrim, who had the Pride flag displayed as his Zoom background, shared that it is Pride Month, and he said he is happy that a new Pride flag has been adopted to include Queer people, people of color, and the trans community. He said that he echoed comments from Academic Senate President Manuel Velez for the inclusion of an ethnic studies graduation requirement, and that he hoped those lessons could be infused into other areas of study, as well. Trustee Milgrim thanked Chancellor Carroll and said that one of the reasons he decided to run for his position on the Board was because he wanted an opportunity to work with her, and said that he couldn’t express enough gratitude for what she’s achieved during her tenure. Trustee Bernie Rhinerson congratulated and welcomed the new Student Trustees. He said that he will miss Chancellor Carroll, and said that his eight years on the board have been some of the best in his life for enriching his understanding of public and higher education. He said that he looks forward to interacting with Chancellor Carroll in the future, especially in her work with the California Community College Baccalaureate Association, but also said he hoped she will enjoy some fun and relaxation, too. Trustee Maria Nieto Senour requested an informal discussion on when to start having Board Meetings in person again. Consensus was that the District should plan to make this transition at the September 9 Board meeting. Trustee Senour pointed out that all of the Board Members were wearing shirts that depicted the new City College mural that was unveiled on May 26 and paid tribute to Chancellor Carroll, who served the district for 28 years, including 11 years as Mesa College President and 17 years as Chancellor. She said that she respects Chancellor Carroll and will miss her ability to be calm and measured while dealing with the complexities of the system. Trustee Senour and the other Board Members presented Chancellor Carroll with a plaque in honor of her leadership. Chancellor Constance Carroll reported that three bills sponsored by the San Diego Community College District have passed out of the California Assembly and will soon be heard in the Senate, beginning next week with the Senate Education Committee. The bills are: AB 927 (Medina) to expand community college baccalaureate programs; AB 421 (Ward) to use the Census Date for certain noncredit courses; and AB 576 (Maienschein) to allow community colleges to collect apportionment funding for courses taught on military bases. The District is also closely monitoring the progress of the state budget negotiations and is continuing to provide advocacy to include funding for full-time faculty positions and adjunct faculty support, more funding for the base budget, and other priorities. The Chancellor reported that the College Police Review Task Force has completed its work, with a report and recommendations that will shortly be disseminated to the entire districtwide community. The Chancellor shared her report with Miramar College President Wes Lundburg who introduced the college’s new Vice President of Instruction, Dr. Michael Odu. Dr. Carroll ended her report by noting that this is her last Board meeting before retirement and that she has greatly enjoyed her work with the Board of Trustees, the administrators, the faculty and classified professionals, and the student leaders throughout the District. She said that the District has a bright future and that she will continue to support the District and Colleges in her new role as President and CEO of the California Community College Baccalaureate Association. Student Trustee Natalia Trinh expressed, along with Miramar College Student Trustee Edward Borek, gratitude for being elected as Associated Student Government President and Student Trustee at their respective colleges, and both are looking forward to transitioning back to in-person classes soon. She reported on various student activities districtwide, including that Miramar College held multiple graduation celebrations, including “carmencement” graduation ceremonies, virtual commencement, and a lavender graduation for LGBTQ+ students hosted by Club Spectrum. At City College, she reported that the ASG is in the process of sending out gift cards to students who bought ASG memberships; and thanked Vice President of Student Services Denise Whisenhunt for her dedication and support of the ASG. She reported that the San Diego College of Continuing Education had successful drive-thru and virtual commencement celebrations, and the ASG thanked President Carlos O. Turner Cortez for his leadership and support of students at the college ahead of taking on his new role as Chancellor of the District. At Mesa College, she said while students have faced many challenges this past year, they also have endured and persevered, which was on
The governing board of the San Diego Community College District is composed of 5 elected members and 1 student trustee position. The student trustee position is filled on a rotating basis. BOARD MEMBERS Geysil Arroyo Mary Graham (Executive Vice President) Craig Milgrim Bernie Rhinerson Maria Nieto Senour, Ph.D. (President) CHANCELLOR Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D. (secretary to the board) STUDENT TRUSTEES Edward Borek Natalia Trinh
BOARD OF TRUSTEES SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT 3375 CAMINO DEL RIO SOUTH SAN DIEGO, CA 92108-3883 (619) 388-6957
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