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Peralta Community College District's Only Student-Run Publication
Peralta Community College District's only student-run publication.

The Citizen

Peralta Community College District's only student-run publication.

The Citizen

Peralta Community College District's only student-run publication.

The Citizen

A neon sign on the Laney College Tower building lights up at dusk. The Tower houses the offices of administrators, counselors, and other Laney employees.
Besikof Leaves Laney
The college president began a sudden "mutual" administrative leave today, days after Peralta trustees voted unanimously for his non-renewal.
Desmond Meagley, Editor in Chief • March 19, 2025
Today, Laney College President Rudy Besikof began a permanent leave of absence “by mutual agreement” with the Peralta Community College District, pending the end of his contract on June 30. Besikof announced his departure from Peralta in an email addressed to the “Laney Community” on Tuesday.
Staff Writer Desmond Meagley stands in the very spot where a security guard confronted him last month: the doorway of the men’s restroom in the Laney College Library. Meagley, who is transgender, tried to report the incident, but reached a dead end when an administrator told him he would need the security guard’s name.
The Catch-22 in AP 3435, Peralta’s Harassment Protocol
Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer • May 20, 2024
Resource flyers hang just outside of Berkeley City College’s Undocumented Community Resource Center, where students can access various free support systems.
Berkeley City College strengthens its resources for undocumented students
Community groups in and around Berkeley City College provide resources for undocumented students during times of uncertainty
Ivan Saravia, Associate Editor • March 19, 2025
The Board of Trustees listens intently as public comments are under way.
Peralta’s Board of Trustees vote to lay off 68 positions at 02/25 trustee meeting
The board voted unanimously to approve the cuts despite disapproval during public comment
Rachel Venable, Staff Writer • March 15, 2025
On Jan. 30, 2025, the Trump Administration issued two executive orders focusing on restricting trans and non-binary people from accessing gender affirming care and spaces. These executive actions have raised questions within the LGBTQ+ community at Peralta about what the colleges are doing to protect their students.
LGBTQ+ students are feeling “fear and hesitation” under Trump. What’s Peralta doing about it?
Each college acknowledged a desire to protect queer students, but institutional approaches have varied.
Romi Bales, Staff Writer • March 14, 2025
The pieces shown in Clay, Paper, Wood are crafted by advanced Laney students across many mediums. The gallery offers a tranquil space in the center of Laney College’s campus.
Laney Art students get crafty in new gallery show
"Clay Paper Wood" melds Art and CTE student creations together in free multimedia exhibition
Emiliano Villa, Staff Writer • March 10, 2025
Abdul Pridgen sits down for a chat with The Citizen regarding public safety, how Peralta's security model currently works, and his plans for a new model.
Interview and security updates with Peralta’s Interim Executive Director of Public Safety Abdul Pridgen
March 1, 2025
A sign reading 'No human is illegal' in the R-building at Merritt College. As of Jan. 21, ICE agents are now permitted on college campuses.
Merritt College updates its online resources for undocumented students after The Citizen finds outdated information from 2022
February 20, 2025
SEIU 1021 members carry protest signs decrying planned layoffs among Peralta employees. The district recently announced its intent to cut 68 positions across several departments, 44 of which are currently filled.
Proposed layoffs condemned during public comment at 2/11 Peralta trustee meeting
February 20, 2025
(Photo by Li Khan/The Citizen)
PCCD to hold hearing on proposed layoffs
February 10, 2025
Faculty, classified employees, and administrators convened Friday to share ideas for how to repair the district's financial crisis in the long term. The district needs to make at least $11.5 million in cuts next year, but officials say a significant "reimagining" of the district is necessary to sustain the district in the long run.
PCCD is in crisis. Everything is on the table
February 1, 2025
An audience in academic regalia watches a graduation ceremony. One graduation cap reads, "All that I am & hope to be, I owe to those who believed in me[.]" (Photo: Marcus Creel/PCCD)
Gilkerson quells Pell grant fears during federal freeze: “This executive order does NOT impact your financial aid”
A White House memo mandating a freeze on all federal grants left students nationwide concerned about their financial aid.
Desmond Meagley, Editor in Chief • January 29, 2025
New CoA President wants to be a role model for students
New CoA President wants to be a role model for students
December 12, 2024
Laney's student body president, Frida Veliz, wants to help connect students to the resources she didn't have access to when she first started college.
New ASLC President Builds Community
December 11, 2024
Cheryl Lew has been an instructor in the Culinary Arts department since 2012 and was tenured in 2015. Her focus is on baking and pastries.
Multi-layered, highly decorated pastry chef Cheryl Lew brings culture and chemistry to Laney’s culinary department
December 11, 2024
Laney Engineering Department Chair Mallory Barkdull tallies points as her students pit their soccer-playing robots against each other. The friendly tournament challenges contestants to learn design and coding skills through play.
Robot soccer teaches students nuts and bolts of engineering
November 26, 2024
A new space for LGBTQ+ students has popped up on the Laney College campus. The Queer Community center will host events and offer resources to LGBTQ+ members of the Peralta community.
‘We’re here, we’re in school, we have dreams’: New Laney queer center offers safe haven for LGBTQ+ students
November 20, 2024
Peabody Award-winning journalist Candice Nguyen captivated a crowd of student journalists Saturday as she recounted her life and career. Nguyen, who was born and raised in Oakland, said journalism gave her the "structure and purpose" to stitch her life back together after a chaotic childhood.
Peabody Award winner inspires students
November 1, 2024
Who are Peralta’s student trustees?
Who are Peralta’s student trustees?
October 31, 2024
Tea with Tamara: Black Panther Party History Month w/ Merritt College President David Johnson
Tea with Tamara: Black Panther Party History Month w/ Merritt College President David Johnson
October 25, 2024
Q&A with Trustee Dyana Delfín Polk
Q&A with Trustee Dyana Delfín Polk
October 17, 2024
Q&A with Trustee Nicky González Yuen
Q&A with Trustee Nicky González Yuen
October 17, 2024
The American Straight A Academy helped students in China receive transfer degrees from the Peralta Community College District without paying international tuition or setting foot in California. The for-profit company, registered in Dallas, Texas, has not disclosed how much students pay for the experience.
Investigation: A look at the for-profit Chinese business that sold Peralta classes overseas
October 30, 2024
A private company sold access to California public education for an undisclosed price.
Investigation: Over half of PCCD conflict of interest disclosures nowhere to be found
Investigation: Over half of PCCD conflict of interest disclosures nowhere to be found
September 17, 2024
We asked PCCD for five years of conflict of interest disclosures, but only got half. Here's why an ethics expert is concerned.
The Citizen Investigates: International Travel
The Citizen Investigates: International Travel
July 25, 2024
Peralta has yet to establish a process to evaluate the costs and benefits of funding international travel. We combed through travel receipts, international student data, and district policy to find out.
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