via PCCD
Andrea Epps speaks to the Peralta Board of Trustees about an independent analysis into the district's equity as an employer. Despite finding Latinx-identified individuals to be underrepresented among district employees, the analysis did not show "persistent patterns of adverse impact” on hiring “by race, ethnicity, or gender.”
The Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees met for a regular board meeting at the district office on Sept. 9. Trustees heard discussions around the annual Equal Employment Opportunity certification form, updates for student government appointments, and the district’s acquisition of updated technology.
More students join leadership
During the student government reports, the presidents for the Associated Students of Laney College and Berkeley City College (BCC) informed the board that all previous student government vacancies have been filled.
BCC student body president Umaima Raisa informed the board of ASBCC’s new appointments of a new chief justice and an additional four chief justices to serve for the 2025-2026 academic school year.
Laney student body president Owen Flaherty reported that applications for district-wide committees have been submitted and are being reviewed by the student trustees. In a text message to The Citizen, Flaherty wrote that five senators and one external secretary position had been filled.
During his board report, Flaherty also praised the district’s progress towards bringing more students to campus following COVID-era enrollment declines. “Laney College feels more vibrant than I have ever seen it,” he remarked.
Shared governance leaders report merger “skepticism”
During the District Classified Senate report, Senate President Tachetta Henry shared that classified employees at Merritt felt cautious over “the anticipated pruning process associated with the transition to Oakland City College.”
“Despite these concerns, classified staff still remain steadfast in their commitment to building community with access and equity at the forefront,” she said, reading a report from Merritt’s classified senate.
The statement acknowledged the work of employees who had “shifted roles to help minimize the operational impacts from the reduction of workforce,” calling them “valuable additions to their new departments and service areas.”
During the District Academic Senate report, District Academic Senate Vice President Tom Renbarger also spoke about the proposed merger between Merritt and Laney.
He shared that during their first meeting of the academic school year, senate members brought up “concerns about curriculum and articulation” and “skepticism about the economic case for unification.”
Chancellor’s report
During her report, Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson praised the grand opening of Merritt’s new Horticulture Complex.
“This complex is a vital new resource, like the soil, water, and light, that will allow new ideas, talents, and futures to take root and flourish for our students,” Gilkerson said.
The construction of the complex cost $26,374,132, funded through Measure G bonds.
Reflecting on the district’s Sept. 5 shared governance summit, Gilkerson also shared her excitement to “align our resources with areas of greatest interest and need for students,” such as distance education, evening and weekend classes. She added that the Student Success and Enrollment Management committee, as well as three newly formed task forces, would explore these ideas and more as part of her proposals for the district’s future.
Gilkerson also highlighted the annual Dr. William Bill Riley Swing for Student Success golf tournament, held Sept. 8 at the Sequoia Country Club. She said the event sold out and raised $271,000 for the Peralta Colleges Foundation, setting a record for the highest donations received to date.
Epps presents on annual Equal Employment Opportunity certification
The director of Employee Relations & Diversity Programs, Andrea Epps, presented an analysis of Peralta’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) data to the board as part of the district’s annual EEO certification.
“When we look at data regarding who actually applies for work at Peralta, as compared to who we hire, we look to determine whether there […] is a statistically significant difference from one category,” explained Epps.
Her presentation stated that according to an independent analysis of employment data from the 2024-2025 school year, the district did not “show any persistent patterns of adverse impact” on hiring “by race, ethnicity, or gender.”
“The group analysis did, however, show under-representation for employees identifying as Latinx,” Epps said, meaning the total number of Latinx Peralta employees is less than 80% of the district’s projected estimate.
She also noted that the district had seen an “uptick” in harassment and discrimination complaints, especially related to disability.
Successfully earning EEO certification qualifies the district for up to $136,986 of state funding through the California Community Colleges.
From the consent calendar
The board approved a technology upgrade that will facilitate the replacement of approximately 20% of the District’s 4,500 computers, laptops and equipment for employees and students using $1,915,758.55 of Measure G bond funds.
This advance is in line with the execution of the five-year Technology Master Plan initiated in 2021. The five-year plan identified ongoing deficiencies and devised a strategy for rehabilitation of infrastructure, faculty and staff professional development, and a modernization of cybersecurity, mobile compatibility and other core technology.
A moment of silence
As the meeting drew to a close, the room observed a moment of silence for the late Sam Knox, a utility engineer who had worked for the district for 20 years. Knox was noted for his lively and warm spirit.