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Peralta Community College District's Only Student-Run News 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

The illustration uses a screenshot from Instructure's cybersecurity updates page for the Canvas cyberattack.

Canvas is back online at Peralta

The district confirmed that “all Canvas apps and services have been restored” following a global ransomware attack to its parent company
Ivan Saravia, Co-Editor in Chief May 8, 2026
The Peralta Community College District sent out a districtwide email Friday morning confirming that “Canvas is back up and all Canvas apps and services have been restored.
Cybercriminals threaten public release of student data from Canvas security breach

Cybercriminals threaten public release of student data from Canvas security breach

Just a week and a half before finals, Canvas has been hit with a second cyberattack. Peralta’s solution is to “cut off access.”
Rachel Venable, Eliot Faine, and Ivan Saravia May 7, 2026
On May 7, Peralta Community College District students and faculty who logged into Canvas received a message from an international hacking syndicate, threatening to release users' private data unless a “settlement” is negotiated.
Peralta approves executive safety chief position to oversee new hybrid safety plan

Peralta approves executive safety chief position to oversee new hybrid safety plan

As a “precursor to phase one” of the community safety implementation plan, the Peralta Community College District approved the creation of a new executive security position during the Feb. 10 board of trustees meeting.
Rachel Venable, Associate Editor March 19, 2026
The Peralta Community College District is hiring a new Executive Director of Community Safety/ Chief, a position that marks the starting point for the district's new hybrid safety model. The district is currently seeking applicants for the role. The position closes March 22.
A graffitied sign at the Oakland entrance of the Coast Guard Island near Alameda, CA on October 23, 2025.

District warns of anticipated federal immigration enforcement “surge” in East Bay

Peralta’s email affirmed “the right of all to receive a college education, including individuals lacking immigration credentials” at its colleges.
Ivan Saravia, News Editor October 23, 2025
As federal immigration enforcement escalates to the Bay Area, Peralta asserted that all students have "the right to receive a college education, including individuals lacking immigration credentials” at its colleges.
Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson speaking to a crowd of Peralta employees during the fall 2025 District FLEX Day at Merritt College in Oakland, CA on Aug. 14, 2025.

Big changes may be coming to Peralta. Here’s the plan so far

The Citizen breaks down what is currently known about the district’s transformation plan, including the creation of dedicated "taskforces" and a glimpse into the proposed timeline for the “unification" of Merritt and Laney.
Ivan Saravia, News Editor October 8, 2025
The Citizen breaks down what is currently known about the district’s transformation plan, including the creation of dedicated "taskforces" and a glimpse into the proposed timeline for the “unification" of Merritt and Laney.
The melted three-phase switch that powers the Student Center and the F building was compromised when a rodent touched two poles and caused a 1200 volt ‘arc flash’ that compromised the power distribution to the buildings on March 28, causing students, faculty and personnel to evacuate.

Rodent ‘sets off’ electrical failure

Trustees take quick action, hire firm to effect ‘emergency electrical repairs’
Saskia Hatvany, Co-Editor April 19, 2019

In an emergency meeting on April 15, the Peralta Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $220,108 contract for Rosendin Electrics to effect “emergency electrical repairs” to the Laney College Student...

Former Vice Chancellor Sadiq Ikharo (center) answers questions about the Fire Watch at the Feb. 26 Board of Trustees meeting. His replacement Leigh Sata, was announced on March 26, just days after the fess of the fire watch at Laney reached $100,000

Ikharo placed on permanent leave

Decision underscores longstanding infrastructure deficit; Leigh Sata named interim VC
Saskia Hatvany, Co-Editor March 29, 2019

Exactly two weeks after Jowel C. Laguerre officially left his position as chancellor, the district announced on May 14 that the vice chancellor of general services, Sadiq Ikharo, had been put on permanent...

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