January, 2022 Courier

January 2022

BOARD REPORTS

Grossmont College Student Trustee Benjamin Blevins thanked the District’s leadership for shifting back to remote operations due to COVID-19. He highlighted a food distribution event held January 18 at Grossmont College, and the importance of assisting students with basic needs. Blevins commented on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ideals and ongoing importance to our society.

Cuyamaca College Student Trustee Kristie Macogay wished everyone a happy new year. Macogay said she was looking forward to an upcoming Zoom retreat for new Associated Student Government members and virtual Cuyamaca Culture & Community Circle workshops.

Board Clerk Elena Adams expressed gratitude for the protection that the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots have provided to her family. Adams attended Alliance San Diego’s virtual 34^th Annual All Peoples Celebration on the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday, and was moved by a guest speaker who talked about the aspirations of Dr. King. Adams said she was impressed by a recent San Diego Business Journal article on Grossmont College’s new Science, Math, and Career Technology Complex under construction.

Board Member Julie Schorr commended District leadership for temporarily shifting to remote learning due to the COVID-19 winter surge, calling it a wise decision. She also joined Alliance San Diego’s virtual All Peoples Celebration to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and encouraged others to join in the future. She reiterated a theme from the event, that we have the power to bring about positive changes in our communities, and said the event was an excellent way to start the semester.

Board Member Linda Cartwright said she looked forward to attending both college convocations virtually. She also participated in the All Peoples Celebration, and said she enjoyed keynote speaker Rebecca Cokley’s inspirational and inclusive message. Cartwright also said she agreed with the District’s move to shift to remote operations, and said she is hoping for improvement sooner than later in 2022.

Board Vice President Brad Monroe said he enjoyed attending Grossmont College’s nurse pinning ceremony and topping out ceremony for the new Science, Math, and Career Tech Complex last month. He congratulated both college’s Child Development Programs for receiving grants to offer free tuition, books and laptops for students looking to complete associate degrees in child development. Monroe noted the passing of his former colleague Donna Hajj's husband after a long battle with ALS. A memorial service is planned for January 29 at 10 a.m. at Newbreak Church in Tierrasanta.

Board President Debbie Justeson congratulated Jessica Robinson, Cuyamaca’s Vice President of Student Services, for recently completing the Community College League of California and Association of California Community College Administrators aspiring CEO program. Grossmont president Denise Whisenhunt was also part of the cohort. Justeson also spoke highly of the All Peoples Celebration, saying the event reminded her of the importance of the work being done at our colleges. She thanked those furthering the District’s DEI work as well.

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.

Aimee Gallagher, Interim Vice Chancellor, Human Resources

Sahar Abushaban, Vice Chancellor, Business Services

Next Meeting

The Governing Board's next regular meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 15. 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 January 18, 2022, meeting, the Governing Board:

Reauthorized virtual meetings of the Governing Board during the declared COVID-19 State of Emergency.
Received an update on DEI initiatives.
Received Monthly Site and Facilities Project Status Reports.
Received an update from the District’s program/project management firm, Gafcon, on activity related to the Community Benefit Agreement, and also a facilities construction update from Gafcon.
Approved an addendum to College and Career Access Pathways Agreement between the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and Grossmont Union High School District, as recommended by the Chancellor.
Accepted a report on the current budget status, accepted related revenues or revisions, and granted authority to the Chancellor to budget these funds.
Approved the ratification of signatures on agreements.
Approved purchase orders and warrants.
Granted authority to the Chancellor to go out to bid and award B22.006 Grossmont College Bldgs. 52-54 Liberal Arts – Transit Center to the lowest responsive bidder.
Granted authority to the Chancellor to go out to Bid and award B22.005 Grossmont College Facilities Issues – Roadway Repair to the lowest responsive bidder.
Approved personnel actions.

CHANCELLOR'S REPORT

Chancellor Lynn Neault welcomed everyone back following winter break. She expressed gratitude to employees and students for their dedication as the District has navigated uncharted territories with the pandemic over the past few years, and flexibility in pivoting back to remote work due to the current wave in COVID-19 cases.

Neault also gave an overview of Governor Newsom’s proposed budget for 2022-2023, saying it contains some good news for higher education. The budget projects a more than $45 billion surplus and proposes a 9 percent increase in spending. She highlighted some bold goals for collaboration between the UC, CSU, and community colleges, including a 70 percent certificate and degree completion rate for college age adults in the state by 2030. The budget also includes a 5.33 percent COLA, significant funding for deferred maintenance, and investments in emergency financial assistance grants for AB 540 students and Cal Grants, among many other highlights.

The District plans to meet with state legislators virtually, along with other community college districts across the San Diego and Imperial counties, later this month. The District will also start the internal budget deliberation process next month.

Neault said she was also looking forward to convocations next week.