August, 2021 Courier

August 2021

BOARD REPORTS

Board Member Julie Schorr said she was happy to be at the meeting in person and thanked Cuyamaca College President Julianna Barnes for the wonderful reception held at the Water Conservation Garden. She also said the convocation ceremonies were lovely, and formally welcomed Grossmont College President Denise Whisenhunt. She attended a diversity, equity and inclusion town hall meeting with Chancellor Neault put on by the Community College League of California.

Board Clerk Debbie Justeson also welcomed everyone back to campus and reiterated comments about the convocations and reception at the Water Conservation Garden. She also welcomed Whisenhunt to the District family. She praised Whisenhunt for her extraordinary job in putting together Grossmont’s convocation. Justeson also praised speaker Luke Wood for his message pertaining to teachers humanizing themselves to students. Justeson said it is important to the progress of students and to draw them in. Justeson also thanked the Board for embracing diversity, equity and inclusion. She thanked the Chancellor for supporting diversity, equity and inclusion and for her willingness to develop initiatives.

Board President Brad Monroe also welcomed Whisenhunt, noting she is a fellow native of Fresno. He also praised the convocations at both campuses, saying he knows the tremendous work that goes into such events.

Board Vice President Linda Cartwright echoed other Board members’ praises for both convocations, and added that she especially enjoyed seeing the acknowledgement and awards to faculty, staff and students. Cartwright said she loved the reception at the Water Conservation Garden, saying Barnes did a wonderful job of making everyone feel welcome.

Board Member Elena Adams said the common thread connecting Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges is that everyone is family, and she hopes the actions of the Board can reaffirm this message. She thanked Barnes for a wonderful reception and welcomed Whisenhunt.

Grossmont College Student Trustee Benjamin Blevins noted that this was the first in-person meeting he has attended in his year and a half on the Board. He praised both convocations, saying it was particularly wonderful to see Grossmont College’s Performing and Visual Arts Center used in a new way. He said the Student Success Fair at Grossmont College was held to introduce students to the campus. He also said the recent retreat for student government was an opportunity to talk about leadership.

Cuyamaca College Student Trustee Kristie Macogay said she attended a recent retreat for associated student government. She said Welcome Back Week has been tremendous for students, and added that Friday is the semester’s first free food distribution for students and staff at Cuyamaca.

GCCCD

Governing Board

Brad Monroe

Linda Cartwright

Debbie Justeson

Elena Adams

Julie Schorr

Student Trustees:

Benjamin Blevins

Kristie Macogay

Chancellor

Lynn Ceresino Neault, Ed.D.

Grossmont College

President

Denise Whisenhunt, J.D.

Cuyamaca College President

Julianna Barnes, Ed.D.

Vice Chancellors

Tim Corcoran, Human Resources

Sahar Abushaban, Business Services, Interim

Next Meeting

The Governing Board's next regular meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 14 at the Cuyamaca College Student Center. The open session will begin at 4:15 p.m., with closed session to follow.

Meeting agendas are posted on the District website 72 hours before and 24 hours before special meetings.

Site Reports

Grossmont College

Cuyamaca College

Facilities Status Report

8800 Grossmont College Drive

El Cajon, CA 92020

(619) 644-7010

www.gcccd.edu

BOARD ACTIONS

At its August 17, 2021 meeting, the Governing Board:

Heard a presentation by the firm Redistricting Partners about the redistricting process for the District.
Reviewed and updated Board Policy 3525, Skateboards, Roller Skates, Bicycles, and Other Recreational Wheeled Vehicles; Board Policy 7125, Verification of Eligibility for Employment; Board 7385, Voluntary Salary Reduction.
Approved the ratification of signatures on agreements.
Reviewed purchase orders and warrants.
Approved Notice of Completion and Release of Retention for Cuyamaca College Chiller Expansion and Cuyamaca College OH Complex/M Remodel Audio Visual.
Approved Ratification of Award for Cuyamaca College 12kv Circuit No. 1 Replacement.
Approved a side letter between the District and AFT Local 1931 regarding the piloting of HyFlex, a new technology in select classrooms enabling faculty to deliver instruction both in-person and remotely.
Approved personnel actions.

CHANCELLOR'S REPORT

Chancellor Lynn Neault led meeting attendees in a round of applause for Governing Board members, thanking them for all their support. She welcomed everyone back, saying it has been exciting to see students back on campus. She said about 6,000 students are back on campus, with 10,000 class enrollments on campus. Enrollment is down this fall, but she is encouraged by what the future has in store. She expressed special thanks to Facilities, Maintenance and Operations for the tremendous work they have been doing to get the campuses ready for the return of students and staff.

Additionally, she said special acknowledgements are due for scores of faculty, classified, and administrators who have worked diligently verifying the vaccine status of students and helping those who were not aware of the new mandate to remain in classes by either getting vaccinated, tested or shifted to on-line learning.

She also praised the leadership at the colleges for setting a positive tone for the academic year ahead. Neault also introduced Michele Clock to attendees as the District’s new Director of Public Information, Government Relations and Community Relations.

Cuyamaca College President Julianna Barnes thanked everyone for attending convocation and for participating in the welcome-back reception. She said it has been exciting to talk to students who have never been on campus and to see a vibrancy returning. She said the college’s new mission statement will be the foundation for the next six-year strategic plan.

Grossmont College President Denise Whisenhunt thanked the Board members for their support and the opportunity to lead the college. She said she has enjoyed meeting and working with campus leaders, including the presidents of the Academic and Classified senates. Whisenhunt added that there is much in store for the college’s 60th year and she is excited about experiencing all that it means to be a part of G-House.