JULY 22, 2021
BOARD REPORT
SPECIAL REPORT TO THE PUBLIC Trustee Geysil Arroyo welcomed the new student trustees and academic senate presidents, and wished Chancellor Carlos Cortez well as he begins his new role. She said that she attended the Miramar Classified awards in June, and an event where food and information about the vaccine and pathways to becoming a citizen were distributed to community members in City Heights. Trustee Arroyo reported that she was invited to join the Board of the Employee Rights Center Labor’s Training - Community Development Alliance, founded by former Trustee Peter Zschiesche, which offers legal services regarding employment and labor law and recently was awarded recognition from Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez. She also reported that she recently took some time off and encouraged others to do the same. Trustee Mary Graham reported that the Trustees participated in a Board Retreat with Chancellor Cortez on July 15. She said she agreed with Trustee Arroyo’s suggestion to take time for yourself. Trustee Craig Milgrim welcomed Chancellor Cortez to his first public meeting as Chancellor. He thanked the Student Trustees for including student voices from Continuing Education in future discussions and decisions. Trustee Milgrim reported that he attended a going away event for City College Vice President of Student Services Denise Whisenhunt, his first in-person event since the start of Covid-19. He reported that the newly-created Office of Child and Youth Success within the San Diego Mayor’s Office, which the Board passed a resolution in favor of in October 2020, was included in this year’s budget, which the San Diego City Council passed on Monday. He also reported that he met with the Director of San Diego County YMCAs, who contracts with the City of San Diego for child care referrals, and a member of the Chicano Federation, to expand efforts of child care and family services to the attention students and employees of the District. Trustee Bernie Rhinerson said that it was good to see everyone in person during the recent Board Retreat with Chancellor Cortez, and he welcomed Chancellor Cortez to his new role as CEO. He reported that he attended with City College President Ricky Shabazz and Chancellor Cortez a meeting with Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Senior Vice President Jee Hang Lee to plan the October 13-16 in-person ACCT Leadership Congress conference being held in San Diego, where the Board of Directors will be invited to a dinner at City College, and Congress attendees will be able to tour the various District campuses. In regards to public comment against vaccine requirements, Trustee Rhinerson encouraged students to get the vaccine. He also reported that he connected with Roger Showley, a chairperson on the Committee of 100 for Balboa Park, who wants City College to participate in collaborative planning that will include long-range plans for the college, Balboa Park, and San Diego Unified School District. Trustee Maria Nieto Senour said that she attended Denise Whisenhunt’s farewell. Along with Chancellor Cortez, she reported she attended a training for the new Student Trustees, remarking that the Board is off to a good start with this administration. Chancellor Carlos Cortez reported on three pieces of legislation that, thanks to the advocacy of Chancellor Emerita Constance M. Carroll, are moving forward to the Senate Appropriations Committee, including AB 421 (Ward), to use the Census Date for certain noncredit courses; AB 576 (Maienschein) to allow community colleges to collect apportionment funding for courses taught on military bases; and the baccalaureate expansion bill, AB 927 (Medina). He also reported that the ACCT Leadership Congress will be held from October 13-16 in San Diego and the SDCCD will be the host district. Chancellor Cortez thanked the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to serve as CEO of the District. He congratulated Denise Whisenhunt and College of Continuing Education Vice President of Student Services Star Rivera-Lacey who have accepted positions as Presidents of Grossmont College and Palomar College respectively. Chancellor Cortez said he participated in several Pride events, including the Resilient Community March on July 11 and Pride Live on July 17, and looks forward to participating in an in-person Pride Parade with the District next year. He reported that the District has received more than $130 million in stimulus funding, over $50 million of which has been distributed, that will continue to be awarded as direct student aid. Chancellor Cortez reported that the District received a $35 million grant from the State of California for structural improvements of the Educational Cultural Complex’s historic theatre, community room, and surrounding areas, for which he recognized California Senators Toni Atkins and Ben Hueso, and Assemblymembers Lorena Gonzalez, Akilah Weber, and Chris Ward for their efforts. He also recognized Congressmember Scott Peters for his support of a $975,000 grant through the Congressional Community Funding Project to support the buildout of open education resources. Chancellor Cortez reported that the District exceeded $2 million in fundraising for the San Diego Promise, and will continue to grow those funds during an event in the fall recognizing Chancellor Emerita Carroll. While in-person classes will grow to 25-30% in the fall, and a plan is in place to return to pre-pandemic operations in the spring, Chancellor Cortez said that the health and safety of students and all employees is a top priority, and the continued pandemic will be monitored closely. He reported that he will return to work at the District office starting August 1. Student Trustee Edward Borek reported that City College is currently recruiting for its vacant ASG positions, and will host a Virtual Welcome event on August 23 and 26, and a Student Resources Fair on September 8. He reported that College of Continuing Education leaders are planning to resume engagement activities in the fall. Student Trustee Borek said that Mesa College is planning its fall convocation and fall student government elections. He reported that Mesa College students can receive financial aid through grant funding through the summer and in the fall. Student Trustee Borek reported that Miramar opened nominations for fall in-house elections for Senate positions and will close that opportunity on September 8. He said that the Miramar Dreamer Support Program conducted an UndocuAlly Training on July 21 for Student Services professionals, and there are plans for limited in-person events including an appreciation event for classified professionals and faculty returning to campus, as well as those staff members who
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 Carlos O. Turner Cortez, 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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