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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

PCCD

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

Prigden speaks with The Citizen about his experience as a long-time police officer and a new proposal to form a Peralta-led police force through a “hybrid model”.
Stephon Autery, Staff Writer March 1, 2025

Over the past 30 years, the Peralta Community College District (Peralta) has undergone substantial changes to its security model which continues to evolve. The Citizen interviewed Peralta's recently appointed...

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

District Chancellor Gilkerson called the reductions in force a “survival strategy.”
Rachel Venable, Staff Writer February 20, 2025
Peralta’s classified employee union protested a recent budget proposal during the public comment portion of the Feb. 11 Board of Trustees meeting. Armed with purple signs and heartfelt comments, a small crowd of classified employees filled the Peralta Community College District boardroom to oppose the elimination of 33 classified positions.
(Photo by Li Khan/The Citizen)

PCCD to hold hearing on proposed layoffs

68 positions could be eliminated including administrative, classified, and more
Rachel Venable, Staff Writer February 10, 2025
The proposal includes the elimination of 44 positions that are currently staffed.
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

Officials consider layoffs, college closures in light of repeated deficits
Li Khan and Rachel Venable February 1, 2025
"There will be impacts to employees," said Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson.
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
A pause on federally funded grants would not impact student financial aid, the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) informed students Tuesday. The district’s reassurance came during an uncertain moment for the future of publicly funded institutions nationwide.
Longtime head coach for the Laney College Eagles, John Beam, retired last month from coaching, but will stay on as the Director of Athletics.

In case you missed it: Beam retires, new audit scrutinizes financial oversight and more at 12/10 trustee meeting

Ivan Saravia, Stephon Autery, and Romi Bales January 28, 2025
Beam brought national fame to Laney College in 2020 when the Laney Eagles were featured on the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U.
Trustees Louis Quindlen (left) and Paulina Gonzalez Brito switched roles at Friday's board elections. (Courtesy of Ken Lester and Paulina Gonzalez Brito)

Quindlen/Brito duo tops board elections for a second year

Romi Bales, Staff Writer December 17, 2024
Former Board VP Louis Quindlen won his bid for Board President at board elections Friday.
Many of PCCD's neglected facilities need critical repairs, leading to high costs, Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Greg Nelson said during the November meeting.

Facilities ‘in the red,’ districtwide employees get 1 percent raises and more at 11/12 meeting for Peralta trustees

Eliot Faine, Staff Writer December 11, 2024
The board discussed the total cost of operating and maintaining its facilities.
Paulina Gonzalez-Brito shares a laugh with The Citizen staff during the publication's public forums held Sep. 23. Area 2 voters re-elected Gonzalez-Brito this month, according to unofficial results from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

Paulina Gonzalez-Brito to retain Area 2 seat

Incumbent trustee prepares to tackle finance, facilities
Romi Bales, Staff Writer November 24, 2024
Gonzalez-Brito also reflected that their focus was not actually on the election, but rather getting the district financially stable.
Peralta’s financial outlook is ‘negative’ according to Fitch Ratings

Peralta’s financial outlook is ‘negative’ according to Fitch Ratings

New report outlines PCCD’s upcoming fiscal challenges but maintains AAA status
Ian Waters, Staff Writer November 14, 2024

Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings downgraded its rating of the Peralta Community College District (PCCD)’s financial outlook in a 2024 annual report, due to concerns over the district’s projected...

PCCD's financial future got an honest look at the Oct. 22 board meeting. From left: Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson, Chief Operating Officer Greg Nelson. (Photo: Kristina Hoessl/The Citizen)

‘The sky’s already fallen’: Peralta’s grim financial future and past mistakes overviewed at 10/22 trustee meeting

Kristina Hoessl, Staff Writer November 14, 2024
District officials warned the board about the impacts that a new state funding formula will have on the institution's already shaky financial outlook.
Abdul Pridgen. (Source: 9/24 PCCD Board of Trustees Meeting livestream)

New hybrid safety model proposed for Peralta Community College District

Peralta safety director suggests employing ‘sworn and non-sworn’ personnel
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer October 3, 2024
The proposed hybrid model is a new development in the district's efforts to restructure its approach to campus safety following the 2020 death of George Floyd. PCCD currently contracts with Marina Security Services to provide unarmed security districtwide.
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