Academics

District’s only remaining bookstore will be online for summer

The bookstore at Laney College will close on Thursday and reopen in a new building in Fall 2026. Class materials can be purchased online in the interim.

Ariunzayat Yunren, Staff Writer • May 20, 2026

On Thursday, the last physical bookstore at the Peralta Community College District will move to a “virtual format” for summer, reopening in a new location with a new vendor beginning Fall 2027.

(VIDEO) Laney’s student-built telescope launches machining careers

The Laney Lunar Looker project is part of a "massive modernization" that recently took place within the college's Machine Technology program.

Desmond Meagley, Editor in Chief • April 16, 2025

The Laney Lunar Looker is a telescope prototype that Laney College machining students build from scratch as a part of their career training. The Citizen's co-editor in chief Desmond Meagley spoke to Adam Balogh, Laney's Machine Technology department chair, to learn about how the telescope is built — as well as what opportunities his program provides for students who are seeking an education in a skilled trade.

Peralta Colleges regain full accreditation after three year struggle

Accrediting Commission says district has 'corrected deficiencies'

David Rowe, Associate Editor • February 6, 2023

After three years of uncertainty regarding their accreditation status, the presidents of the four colleges (Laney, Merritt, Berkeley City College, and College of Alameda) in the Peralta Community College...

RAÍCES online graduation ceremony showcases Latinx excellence

Justin Burrows, Staff Writer • June 3, 2022

The RAÍCES graduation, which translates in Spanish to “Roots” graduation, is Peralta Community College District’s annual graduation celebration for Latinx and Chicanx students. The ceremony...

Class of 2022 graduates look toward non-traditional commencements and celebrations to mark the end of their academic reign within The Peralta Community College District

The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) prepares for virtual and in-person celebrations for the graduating class of 2022. Each college will host its own commencement ceremonies and graduations to honor its students’ accomplishments.

Pamela Samuels, Staff Writer • May 22, 2022

As Spring 2022 will soon come to a close, the Peralta Community College District will host its Virtual Commencements and In-Person celebrations across the four campuses of Berkeley City College, College...

Peralta Foundation scholarship deadline approaching fast

Students must apply by March 1 at Midnight

Travis Chapman, Staff Writer • February 27, 2022

The Peralta Colleges Foundation grants and scholarships are due March 1, and foundation officials encourage students at Peralta to apply. The Foundation’s online smart application system, available...

Peralta Board of Trustees January 25 Video Brief

Derek Sylvester, Managing Editor • February 6, 2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12RCmlceLnY

Vax mandate looms with shifting deadlines and upcoming Town Hall

Conflicting messaging adds to confusion

Luke Wrin Piper, Leticia Luna, Gretchen Zimmermann, and Ulysses Smith • September 29, 2021

Just weeks away from the deadline for the district’s vaccine mandate, members of the Peralta community were still looking for information as the administration promised answers at an upcoming “town...

Fraudulent students and their bots plague Peralta College District

Laney and Merritt in Oakland are among the California colleges being impacted by scammers trying to steal financial aid. Such cases have increased during the pandemic.

Pamela Rudd, Editor • September 17, 2021

The shift from in-person to remote learning has led to an invasion of bots and “phantom students” who are taking advantage of Peralta Community College District’s enrollment system to fraudulently...