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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

David Rowe

David Rowe, Associate Editor

After a 40 year career in advertising, David is considering journalism as his “second act” and preparing himself for that new profession by taking classes at Laney. During his days in advertising, Rowe headed up the media departments for a number of leading ad agencies in San Francisco and Salt Lake City. In this capacity, he was responsible for the planning and placement of tens of millions of dollars of paid media. A high point of his career was placing Intel’s first Super Bowl TV ad in 1997. Rowe has a lifelong interest in journalism dating back to high school in San Jose where he started an underground newspaper called, appropriately enough, The Del Mar Free Press. The school administration threatened to suspend him, so Rowe, with the help of his attorney father, sued the school district in Federal Court and won and injunction. Ultimately, the case was decided in his favor and California state law regarding the rights of high school students was re-written as a result. Rowe is a political junkie who enjoys watching all the Sunday morning news programs and is actively involved in the Joe Biden presidential campaign this year.

All content by David Rowe
The Citizen Investigates: Outside Speaker Fees

The Citizen Investigates: Outside Speaker Fees

Payments range from $150 to $60,000 in the absence of a district-wide policy
David Rowe and Pamela Rudd
June 22, 2023
Peralta awaits Dept. of Education response to its proposed financial aid fixes

Peralta awaits Dept. of Education response to its proposed financial aid fixes

District’s ability to administer Title IV funds at risk
David Rowe, Associate Editor
May 30, 2023
Acting CoA President Diana Bajrami “doesn’t know how to do things halfway”

Acting CoA President Diana Bajrami “doesn’t know how to do things halfway”

Former econ professor making the most of her time as acting president 
David Rowe, Associate Editor
May 1, 2023
Peralta District custodian staffing levels fall short of industry guidelines

Peralta District custodian staffing levels fall short of industry guidelines

Trustees set to approve $1.5 million to hire an outside cleaning firm Tuesday
David Rowe, Associate Editor
April 11, 2023
District Attorney’s Office recuses itself from Thomas case

District Attorney’s Office recuses itself from Thomas case

Appointment of Royl Roberts creates a potential conflict
David Rowe, Associate Editor
February 19, 2023
Peralta Colleges regain full accreditation after three year struggle

Peralta Colleges regain full accreditation after three year struggle

Accrediting Commission says district has 'corrected deficiencies'
David Rowe, Associate Editor
February 6, 2023
Judge affirms state citation and fine issued to Community Ready Corps for 2020 Peralta security contract

Judge affirms state citation and fine issued to Community Ready Corps for 2020 Peralta security contract

Zulu Community Protection Services also cited, but did not appeal and has not paid the fine
David Rowe, Associate Editor
January 30, 2023
Low level of adoption for PCCD's AC Transit bus pass program

Low level of adoption for PCCD’s AC Transit bus pass program

Fewer than one-third of students paying for EasyPass actually claimed one
David Rowe, Associate Editor
December 16, 2022
Peralta district bonds receive first upgrade in nine years

Peralta district bonds receive first upgrade in nine years

Two rating agencies cite progress on financial and accreditation challenges
David Rowe, Associate Editor
November 18, 2022
Reiss, Quindlen, and Yohannes lead in races for Peralta Board of Trustees

Reiss, Quindlen, and Yohannes lead in races for Peralta Board of Trustees

Kevin Jenkins’ apparent City Council win would create another open board seat
David Rowe, Associate Editor
November 9, 2022
Latest Clery Report shows a big jump in property crimes at Peralta

Latest Clery Report shows a big jump in property crimes at Peralta

District officials minimize increase and struggle to explain lack of progress on safety advisory committee
David Rowe, Associate Editor
November 3, 2022
Graphic by: David Rowe

Tim Thomas pleads “not guilty”

Pre-trial hearing on misdemeanor battery, elder abuse, and grand theft charges set for Dec. 15
David Rowe, Associate Editor
October 24, 2022
Peralta Adds Translations graphic

District adds translation options to website

David Rowe, Associate Editor
September 24, 2022
RV resident tells his side of the story

RV resident tells his side of the story

Identity of the other party in the altercation with Tim Thomas revealed in OPD incident report
David Rowe and Ken Lester
May 18, 2022
Peralta Public Safety Director cited by Oakland Police Department

Peralta Public Safety Director cited by Oakland Police Department

District stands behind Tim Thomas following a 'convoluted incident' on 5th Avenue
David Rowe and Leticia Luna
May 12, 2022
Image by David Rowe

Island High School may need a new home

School officials ask board to stay at College of Alameda as June 30 deadline looms
David Rowe, Associate Editor
April 25, 2022
The mystery woman behind Laney’s June Steingart gallery

The mystery woman behind Laney’s June Steingart gallery

Few remember the art professor and wife of Nobel Prize winner after whom the Laney art gallery was named
David Rowe, Associate Editor
April 25, 2022
Laney Self Care Fair aims to make health and fitness fun

Laney Self Care Fair aims to make health and fitness fun

Free event takes place this Wednesday, April 13, at noon in the Laney Quad
David Rowe, Associate Editor
April 11, 2022
Three cast members at a rehearsal of Disbelief which opens at the Laney College Theater on April 13 (source: Michael Torres)

Laney actors return to the stage April 13

Disbelief: A Cassandra Tale is the first in-person performance in two years
David Rowe, Associate Editor
April 7, 2022
Memos of Misunderstanding

Memos of Misunderstanding

No agreements yet with local police departments after seven months of “discussions”
David Rowe, Associate Editor
March 23, 2022
Photo by Luke Wrin Piper, Consulting Editor

Ohlone ransomware attack highlights vulnerability of colleges

Peralta’s CIO says district’s cyber security has been enhanced
David Rowe, Associate Editor
March 1, 2022
BCC student president applies his computer skills to 'hack' student government challenges

BCC student president applies his computer skills to ‘hack’ student government challenges

Described as an 'extraordinary student leader' by BCC administration official
David Rowe, Associate Editor
February 16, 2022
Moody’s downgrades Peralta bond ratings

Moody’s downgrades Peralta bond ratings

District contests methodology and cites recent ACCJC 'upgrade'
David Rowe, Associate Editor
February 9, 2022
Odometer hits 44 years for College of Alameda Auto Tech professor

Odometer hits 44 years for College of Alameda Auto Tech professor

Rick Greenspan glad to be back to in-person instruction
David Rowe, Associate Editor
December 7, 2021
College of Alameda struggles to fill student government posts

College of Alameda struggles to fill student government posts

Only one candidate on the ballot last week
David Rowe, Associate Editor
November 16, 2021
Stephanie Droker named as Interim Deputy Chancellor/COO

Stephanie Droker named as Interim Deputy Chancellor/COO

District hires former president of accrediting commission 
David Rowe, Associate Editor
November 10, 2021
Tim Thomas is set to become Peralta’s next Director of Safety pending approval by the Board of Trustees (Source: Carrington.edu)

District set to appoint new Director of Safety

Tim Thomas brings both academic and real world experience to the job
David Rowe, Associate Editor
November 7, 2021
Marina security guards lack basic communication equipment

Marina security guards lack basic communication equipment

Many unarmed guards must use their personal cell phones to communicate with supervisors
David Rowe, Luke Wrin Piper, and Leticia Luna
October 27, 2021
District saves on Microsoft software licensing

District saves on Microsoft software licensing

But are students switching to Google apps?
David Rowe, Associate Editor
October 25, 2021
Janitorial firm cleans up with Peralta contracts

Janitorial firm cleans up with Peralta contracts

Board of Trustees plans to extend engagement for Ray & Associates
David Rowe, Associate Editor
September 24, 2021
Security official says district’s latest security move may trigger a lawsuit

Security official says district’s latest security move may trigger a lawsuit

A1 Protective Services edged out in vendor consolidation
David Rowe, Associate Editor
August 10, 2021
Accrediting Commission maintains Peralta’s probation status

Accrediting Commission maintains Peralta’s probation status

Follow-up reports and site visits scheduled for October
David Rowe, Associate Editor
June 29, 2021
New developments in Peralta security plan

New developments in Peralta security plan

Consulting firm awarded $85K contract and newly released applications raise questions
David Rowe, Associate Editor
June 25, 2021
Board of Trustees pass on all three Chancellor finalists

Board of Trustees pass on all three Chancellor finalists

Contract for Interim Chancellor Jackson extended through June 2022
David Rowe, Associate Editor
June 19, 2021
Jackson considering new RFP for unarmed security vendors

Jackson considering new RFP for unarmed security vendors

Community Ready Corps and Zulu unable to meet May 1 deadline for licenses
David Rowe, Associate Editor
May 13, 2021
Earlier security firm operated by Fife and Harper received citations from California Regulatory Agency

Earlier security firm operated by Fife and Harper received citations from California Regulatory Agency

Two instances of employee misconduct in 2007 and 2008 resulted in fines
David Rowe, Associate Editor
May 5, 2021
Peralta leadership instability cited by bond rating agency for downgrades

Peralta leadership instability cited by bond rating agency for downgrades

Two 2020 Peralta bonds maintain 'investment grade' despite lower ratings assigned by Fitch
David Rowe, Associate Editor
May 5, 2021
Other districts express interest in Peralta’s security plan

Other districts express interest in Peralta’s security plan

But are not yet ready to replicate it, most still rely upon their own police forces or local law enforcement
David Rowe
April 6, 2021
Chancellor Oakley promises continued monitoring of Peralta despite calls for more drastic action

Chancellor Oakley promises continued monitoring of Peralta despite calls for more drastic action

Problems at Peralta and SF City College called 'chronic and ongoing' by other Board of Governors members
David Rowe, Associate Editor
March 23, 2021
Peralta district agrees to restore FAS listserv by May 31 

Peralta district agrees to restore FAS listserv by May 31 

Settlement with Peralta Federation of Teachers reverses controversial decision by previous Chancellor
David Rowe, Associate Editor
March 22, 2021
Dr. Carla Walter, Interim Chancellor of the Peralta Community College District (PCCD), unexpectedly resigned her position today citing “personal reasons” and listing her accomplishments over the past 8 months. The resignation will take effect April 15. (Photo courtesy of PCCD's YouTube channel.)

Interim Chancellor Carla Walter resigns

Interim Chancellor steps down after eight months on the job, cites 'personal reasons'
Antoine Mehouelley, IT Director for the Peralta District, advised the board that the PeopleSoft launch date has been pushed to February 15 and that Oracle now wants an annual licensing fee on top of the existing contract. (Source: Peralta Chancellor’s C-Direct)

Peralta district finds new CTO from within its own ranks

Antoine Mehouelley selected after nationwide search
David Rowe, Associate Editor
March 17, 2021
Peralta District launches new marketing program in effort to reverse downward enrollment trend

Peralta District launches new marketing program in effort to reverse downward enrollment trend

Strong emphasis on social media to reach prospective students
David Rowe, Associate Editor
March 5, 2021
District plans to hire four part-time mental health specialists this summer

District plans to hire four part-time mental health specialists this summer

Will work alongside unarmed security companies as part of de-escalation approach
David Rowe, Associate Editor
February 18, 2021
Accrediting Commission defers decision on Peralta district’s status until June

Accrediting Commission defers decision on Peralta district’s status until June

'Team visits' planned with each college next month
David Rowe, Associate Editor
February 4, 2021
Peralta’s pattern of non-response to public records requests

Peralta’s pattern of non-response to public records requests

Search of court records reveals new examples
David Rowe, Associate Editor
February 1, 2021
Chancellor Oakley emphasizes increased financial aid availability in video call with student journalists

Chancellor Oakley emphasizes increased financial aid availability in video call with student journalists

Also sees possible return to in-person instruction by summer and no need for Peralta intervention at this time
David Rowe, Associate Editor
January 26, 2021
Peralta district hires consultant to evaluate two community-based security vendors

Peralta district hires consultant to evaluate two community-based security vendors

Knowledge Saves Lives awaiting final contract
David Rowe, Associate Editor
January 11, 2021
Peralta district switches assignments for new security vendors as contract with Alameda County Sheriff's Office expires

Peralta district switches assignments for new security vendors as contract with Alameda County Sheriff’s Office expires

The role for Marina Security Services is greatly expanded
David Rowe, Associate Editor
January 5, 2021
Peralta postpones forum to discuss new safety/security plan

Peralta postpones forum to discuss new safety/security plan

New date not yet announced but will be in January
David Rowe, Copy Editor
December 21, 2020
Peralta board approves $6.2 million contracts for three new security vendors

Peralta board approves $6.2 million contracts for three new security vendors

Interim Chancellor promises a more thorough vetting before contracts are finalized
David Rowe, Copy Editor
December 16, 2020
A closer look at the new Peralta security vendors

A closer look at the new Peralta security vendors

Questions on licensing and management structure to be considered by Peralta Trustees
David Rowe and Pamela Rudd
December 14, 2020
Time running out for approval of new Peralta security plan

Time running out for approval of new Peralta security plan

Contract with Alameda Sheriff’s Office ends on December 31
David Rowe and Pamela Rudd
December 11, 2020
Peralta FabLabs mark five years of innovation

Peralta FabLabs mark five years of innovation

'High tech shop class' adapts during pandemic
David Rowe, Copy Editor
December 3, 2020
Launch date for PeopleSoft upgrade pushed to February 15

Launch date for PeopleSoft upgrade pushed to February 15

Board also learns of unexpected increase in project budget
David Rowe, Copy Editor
November 18, 2020
Students find the single building BCC campus, located at 2050 Center Street in Berkeley, convenient yet it limits the programs the colleges can offer.  An additional building on Milvia Street should open within 2 years. (Source: Gordon Architectural and Engineered Solutions)

Berkeley City College leads in enrollment

Strategic planning and innovative student support cited as keys to success
David Rowe, Copy Editor
November 13, 2020
Laney Performing Arts Center renovations to begin in late 2021

Laney Performing Arts Center renovations to begin in late 2021

Professor Michael Torres shares insights on $21 million project, new production of 'Macbeth'
David Rowe, Copy Editor
November 7, 2020
Incumbent Bill Withrow easily won reelection for the Area 1 seat on the Peralta board of trustees by virtue of his high name recognition in Alameda and tactics such as this campaign mailer.

Bill Withrow wins 5th term as Area 1 Trustee

Incumbent prevails in combative campaign
David Rowe, Copy Editor
November 4, 2020
Upgraded emergency phones now operational at Laney and Merritt campuses

Upgraded emergency phones now operational at Laney and Merritt campuses

College of Alameda must wait until 2021
David Rowe, Copy Editor
October 27, 2020
Inside our newsroom: David

Inside our newsroom: David

Rather than feeling out of place, my participation in these classes provides an opportunity.
David Rowe, Copy Editor
October 26, 2020
Peralta board approves nationwide search for Chief Technology Officer

Peralta board approves nationwide search for Chief Technology Officer

New Tech Head to manage $6.3 million PeopleSoft relaunch in January
David Rowe, Copy Editor/Staff Writer
October 15, 2020
Area 1 Trustee candidates take the high road at Candidates Forum

Area 1 Trustee candidates take the high road at Candidates Forum

Withrow and Heyman refrain from criticizing each other at League of Women Voters online event
David Rowe, Copy Editor/Staff Writer
October 6, 2020
Bill Withrow, left, has served on the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees for the last 15 years. His opponent, Jeff Heyman, is a former Peralta employee and is the first person to challenge Withrow for the Area 1 seat since Withrow's debut at Peralta in 2004. (billwithrow4trustee.com and heyman4students.com)

Contest for Area 1 seat of the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees heats up

Candidates Bill Withrow and Jeff Heyman exchange charges in only contested Trustee race
David Rowe, Copy Editor/Staff Writer
October 1, 2020
Peralta Board gives nod to Walter as Interim Chancellor

Peralta Board gives nod to Walter as Interim Chancellor

District entering into negotiations with current Acting Chancellor
David Rowe, Copy Editor
September 25, 2020
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