The Citizen

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

While the concept of marketing is generally associated with consumer products such as breakfast cereal and cell phone services, the Peralta Community College District is hoping it will also help attract...

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

Mark Johnson, Peralta’s Executive Director of Marketing, Communications & Public Relations, confirmed in a February 1 email to The Citizen that the district is moving forward with hiring four...

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

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) decided to defer action on a decision regarding accreditation of the four Peralta colleges at its January meeting. The Novato,...

Countdown underway for relaunch of Peralta PeopleSoft system

David Rowe • February 3, 2021

“Go live” date shifted to February 16 with current system “frozen” for the five previous days February 2, 2021 By David Rowe, Associate Editor In an email announcement on February 1, Mark...

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

Search of court records reveals new examples

David Rowe, Associate Editor • February 1, 2021

Newly uncovered court documents and correspondence made available to The Citizen by a former district employee suggest the Peralta Community College District has engaged in a pattern of delay and noncompliance...

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

In a statewide Zoom call with approximately 30 student journalists on January 26, California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley touched on a wide variety of topics ranging from increased...

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

Knowledge Saves Lives awaiting final contract

David Rowe, Associate Editor • January 11, 2021

In a January 7 update to the Peralta community, Executive Director of the Department of Marketing, Communication & Public Relations Mark Johnson, revealed that the district hired Merced-based consulting...

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

In a year-end crunch to implement its new security plan, the Peralta Community College District discovered that two of the three new vendors could not be fully vetted in time to take over responsibilities...

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

An online district-wide forum to “hear the concerns of the stakeholders” regarding Peralta’s new security plan was scheduled to take place on Monday, December 21, at noon. The event was abruptly...

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

Despite concerns expressed about the new Peralta safety plan, the board of trustees unanimously approved contracts for Zulu Community Protection and Marina Security Services at its special meeting...

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

Community Ready Corps Affect Real Change, (AFC), doing business as Community Ready Corps (CRC), is slated to begin as the new security and safety team at Laney College beginning January 1, 2021,...

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

With only a few weeks remaining on the Peralta district’s contract with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and growing concern over the delay in approving a new security plan, Mark Johnson,...