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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

Recent Stories
The district announced a new app allows students to access campus security, emergency contacts and law enforcement with the touch of a button.
Peralta community members now have access to new safety and security app
New security app will help address safety concerns from students
Nelzy Gonzalez-Zaragoza, Staff Writer • May 3, 2025
Laney athletics members line up for their turn during public comment.
April 8 Peralta Board of Trustees Brief: students say no to cuts, resignation incentives approved, and 2025 Employee of the Year Awards
The district settles resignation incentives across various union groups as a way to save money in the long-run
Nelzy Gonzalez, Staff Writer • April 22, 2025
Laney College Machine Technology students construct this high-powered reflector telescope as they progress through their training. The project teaches students how to create complex parts out of various materials using precise tools.
(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
Berkeley City College Multimedia Arts student Yunha Kim created the new owl mascot in collaboration with Marcus Creel, the district's graphic design specialist. (Owl and banner design via Yunha Kim and Marcus Creel. Used with permission.)
Berkeley City College arts student helps new mascot take flight
Native birds, Dungeons & Dragons and UC Berkeley all served as inspiration for Multimedia Arts student Yunha Kim's design.
Ian Waters, Staff Writer • April 16, 2025
Elected student body leaders are invited to speak at the Peralta Board of Trustees meetings and provide updates to college administration on student life and needs.
Voting begins for Peralta student government elections
Ongoing student government elections will determine the future of student leadership and transportation access at each Peralta campus
Tamara Copes and Lylah Schmedel-Permanna April 9, 2025
An athlete looks down the dark stairwell towards the locker rooms. Illustration by Eliot Faine
The Locker Room Stall: 47 years of Title IX allegations at Laney College
Nearly 10 years since the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights mandated their renovation, Laney's locker rooms remain in disrepair.
Eliot Faine and Romi Bales March 31, 2025
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
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
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
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
Up until Feb. 10, undocumented students seeking resources via Merritt’s website were not given the proper information for the state-mandated “Dreamer Liaison” at Merritt College.
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna 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
District Chancellor Gilkerson called the reductions in force a “survival strategy.”
Rachel Venable, Staff Writer • February 20, 2025
(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
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