Chancellor Goldsmith's Remarks - August 12, 2025 Board of Trustees Meeting

As we begin another academic year, I do want to thank the PIO who worked together to provide the joint college report for this month.

It’s my pleasure to introduce our new Deputy Chancellor, Dr. Christine Holt-McDonald. This is also the first Board meeting for our new Fresno City College President, President Whisenhunt. This is their first board meeting.  Please join me in welcoming them to our District.

In my nine years at State Center, one truth has been reinforced: when we prioritize students, lead with intention, and act with both kindness and courage, and increased communication, we are not swayed by division or distraction. We create something really special land unique for our students, our employees, and our communities. For that, I give thanks.

Our finance team works diligently to ensure resources align with our collective goals. This Board has consistently made sound financial decisions and policy decisions that enhance our ability to educate students, care for employees, and serve our communities.

Despite the shifts in federal education policy, we are moving forward with the initiatives that matter most. For example, last month I announced that despite uncertainty around our CAMP grant, we secured funding to extend contracts for the faculty and classified professionals who serve some of our most vulnerable students.

Tonight’s agenda includes a resolution that takes this proactive approach further. The Resolution for the Continued Support of Public Community College Education which, if approved, would set aside $4 million in the 2025–26 Adoption Budget for forms of student aid that may be at risk due to federal funding cuts. It also proposes setting aside $12 million for a one-year buffer to protect staffing and services. These fiscal safeguards reflect our collective commitment to proactive stewardship and to protecting students and employees from abrupt disruptions.

In negotiations with SCFT, we have received SCFT’s first compensation request. The State budget was approved in June, and we have presented our first proposal which includes a COLA this year of 2.3% and COLA in subsequent years of the contract.

While it is still early in negotiations, we have reached 12 tentative agreements. The MOU for part-time faculty office hours has been extended while the contract is being negotiated.  All of this collaborative tone give me a sense of progress. And the collaborative tone at the table has given me a sense of confidence in the teams ability to get where we need to be. I am encouraged by the collaborative tone between the District and SCFT at the table, and confident we will work toward solutions that serve both employees and students.

Later in this meeting, our presidents will share the 320 Enrollment Report. Thank you again for making fine tune adjustments to that presentation today. I want to thank Robin Torres and everyone in the IR department who has worked on the report.  We submitted it to the Chancellor’s Office and we will have it posted as well.   

The ongoing dialogue across our district and with our K12 partners, and our labor partners have brought forth important considerations and questions about dual enrollment.

As tonight’s report shows, dual enrollment has seen tremendous growth.  Some of our colleges have experienced dramatic growth in this area—some seeing more than 100% increases in the last five years. We know that with that growth, comes the responsibility to ensure thoughtful oversight, adequate support, and continual improvement. Again, I trust the conversations happening at the colleges and with our K12 partners will keep us focused on students.

Finally, I want to thank Clovis Community College, and everyone who works here, from faculty to classified professionals and administrators for hosting tonight’s meeting.  We changed the date on you, and now this meeting is held during the first week of the semester, which was an added wrinkle.  Thank you for being flexible because it’s something that the trustees and I wanted to do to make sure that we had greater faculty input.

Across the District, whether it’s Student Ambassadors walking students to meet with counselors, Basic Needs programs that ensures students don’t have to choose between food and books, or Custodial and Grounds teams creating clean and safe learning spaces—it all adds up.  Every college. Every department. Every team. You make a difference. Thank you for the work you do every day.  I appreciate all of you.