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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
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
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
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
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
Native American photographer Dugan Aguilar spent decades documenting the lives of Indigenous Californians through his camera lens. His collection of work is on display now at the Oakland Museum of Califoria. (Shown: “Mimi Mullen (Madiu) Grand Marshall,” 1997 Greenville Gold Digger Days Parade)
This Indigenous art exhibition is free for Laney students
Dugan Aguilar’s photographs capture the contemporary lives of Indigenous Californians
Tamara Copes, Staff Writer • January 27, 2025
Berkeley City College is picking a new mascot, and it wants the community's help.
Owl, Penguin, or Butterfly? Four days left to choose BCC’s next mascot
Ian Waters, Staff Writer • January 4, 2025
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
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