SDCCD : A Final Message From Chancellor Constance M. Carroll

Press release from San Diego Community College District:

June 30, 2021

Dear Board Members, Colleagues, and Friends of the District:

I am writing to you from the Chancellor’s Office on my last day of service, since
my retirement is effective tomorrow, July 1. I am reminded of the famous statement
by the pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus who emphasized that nothing
in the world is permanent except change. He used the analogy that you cannot put your
foot in the same river twice, since the river is constantly flowing. We have undergone
lots of change, especially in the past year, due to state budget shortfalls, the Presidential
Election, and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. And more change lies ahead.

I have had a wonderful tenure in the California Community Colleges as a CEO for 43
years, including 17 years in my current position as Chancellor of the San Diego Community
College District.  During my 28-year tenure in our District, I have enjoyed working
with the Board of Trustees, the College Presidents, the faculty, administrators, classified
professionals, and student leaders over the years through volatile budgets, changes
in policies, and the inevitable crises, but above all, promoting student success and
achievement.  Our District is a stellar example of why community colleges are important. 
Community Colleges are the best economic, social mobility, and social justice engines
of California and our nation.  We are all privileged to serve this remarkable system
of higher education, especially as it incorporates a true commitment to diversity,
equity, and inclusion.  I have definitely been privileged to work with our great SDCCD
team.  I have also been privileged to work with colleagues throughout the state and
nation, and with wonderful organizations in the San Diego Region, especially the boards
of the University of San Diego, the San Diego Foundation, San Diego Youth Services,
and the San Diego Opera.

Let me share with you some very good news about the state budget, which will have
a salutary impact on the San Diego Community College District.  I have attached a
summary of the Budget Agreement that has just been reached between the California
Assembly, Senate, and Governor, which will go into effect tomorrow, July 1.  The budget
is characterized by an increased COLA, more financial support for students, and a
host of other improvements. In addition to these much-needed increases in support
overall, the budget also includes an important item for which the Large Districts
Coalition (which includes the SDCCD) and the statewide faculty unions provided strong
advocacy: $100 million for full-time faculty positions. Allocations of federal stimulus
dollars and funds from other sources provide additional support. In general, our District
and others will be sailing into a much improved financial environment. Our own District
efforts to curtail costs have been successful as well, and we will be closing the
year with a budget surplus, due to everyone’s willingness to conserve during the past
two years. In leaving my position, I am encouraged by knowing that the District is
financially secure, although there will still be a need to be careful with all levels
of expenditure. I know that Executive Vice Chancellor Bonnie Dowd will have more to
say about the budget in the near future. View the summary of the state Budget Agreement.

As you recall, California Assembly Bill 1887 prohibits the use of State funds for
travel to states that have discriminatory laws and/or practices of a serious nature
that affect protected groups, especially the LGBTQ community. This bill authorizes
the California Attorney General to update the list. SDCCD Board Policy 3120  reflects
this prohibition regarding the use of District funds for travel to these states, which
also derive from the State. The SDCCD Chancellor can make exceptions based upon critical
need, such as student competitions, faculty research, etc. 

The updated list of banned states, with Arkansas, Florida, Montana, North Dakota,
and West Virginia being the most recent additions, follows:

1. Alabama2. Arkansas (effective 7/29/2021)3. Florida (effective 7/1/2021)4. Idaho5. Iowa6. Kansas7. Kentucky8. Mississippi9. Montana (effective 7/1/2021)10. North Carolina11. North Dakota (effective 8/1/2021)12. Oklahoma13. South Carolina14. South Dakota15. Tennessee16. Texas17. West Virginia (effective 7/8/2021)

The College Police Task Force has completed its primary assignment, with analyses
and excellent recommendations. I will share that report separately later today.

Three members of the SDCCD management staff will be moving into new leadership positions
at the CEO level. City College Vice President Denise Whisenhunt will be the new President
of Grossmont College; Continuing Education Vice President Star Rivera-Lacey will be
the new Superintendent/President of Palomar College; and, as you know, Continuing
Education President Carlos Turner Cortez will be the new Chancellor of the San Diego
Community College District. All will take office in July. We wish them every success.

The SDCCD has come a long way through the COVID-19 pandemic and is pursuing reopening
plans, on an incremental basis, including more in-person classes and operations during
the summer and fall, with the Board of Trustees’ resumption of in-person meetings
on September 9, and with the goal of total reopening by the spring semester. I know
that everyone will be pleased to return to resuming normal operations and practices.
You will receive more information about this from Human Resources Vice Chancellor Greg
Smith.

Finally, although I will certainly miss my direct interactions with the District,
City, Mesa, and Miramar Colleges, and the College of Continuing Education, I am looking
forward to a new career in retirement as President & CEO of the newly-formed California
Community College Baccalaureate Association (CCCBA), which you will hear more about
after July. We hope to focus on California’s role in the community college baccalaureate
movement, through supporting legislation, through a partnership with the national
Community College Baccalaureate Association, through working connections with programs
in the 25 other states that authorize their community colleges to offer bachelor’s
programs in workforce fields, through providing professional and technical assistance
for those planning to develop baccalaureate programs, through newsletters and updates,
and periodic webinars and conferences. Please note another change, my new email contact
information, effective July 1:  ccarroll@cccbac.org. I am grateful that Mesa College President Pam Luster will house the CCCBA website
and will permit Mesa College to serve as the association’s mailing address. 

I also look forward to my continuing service on the National Council on the Humanities/National
Endowment for the Humanities, College Promise National Advisory Board, the Community
College Humanities Association Board, the national Community College Baccalaureate
Association Board, and the Board of the United Way of San Diego County.

Do keep me informed about your major achievements, since I will be proud to see how
you are all moving forward. Take care. Stay well. Best wishes!

Dr. Constance M. CarrollChancellorSan Diego Community College District

This press release was produced by San Diego Community College District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.