In a strategic move to streamline resources and bolster financial stability, Peralta Community College District Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson has proposed merging Laney College and Merritt College into a single entity named Oakland City College. This announcement was made during the district's recent Flex Day, where staff development took center stage. A merger of this nature could increase funding and reduce duplicate services within the district. By doing so, Gilkerson hopes to realign the district to better focus on providing quality education and resources for students.
While the change is not imminent, the district is set to methodically work towards the merger, with Chancellor Gilkerson iterating that neither campus will close due to the consolidation. "It's not gonna happen tomorrow," Deputy Chancellor Greg Nelson told The Citizen, comparing the current scenario to a plant that requires pruning to ensure healthier growth. This long-term strategic planning aims to cohesively unite the student populations and administration of the two schools under a shared banner.
The proposal by Gilkerson was well-received by Peralta district personnel, with the announcement of no budget cuts for the next two years being met with applause. Interest in the merger, however, is not without concerns. Some students remain unsure about the impact of this significant change. Ivan Saravia, a Laney College student, expressed his apprehension in a statement obtained by CBS News San Francisco, "Personally, I think time will tell." He added, "You can't really see too far in the future."
Despite misgivings, administrators appear to support the merger. Jamila Saleh, the executive assistant of student services at Merritt College, believes this to be a positive change and reports that Gilkerson took the opportunity to listen to her constituency "to make an informed decision," as she told The Citizen. The decision was made after extensive consideration of Peralta's financial difficulties and faculty, staff, and administration input.
The history of Peralta's financial challenges was explored in depth during a presentation to the Board of Trustees in October 2024. Since then, the district leadership has actively engaged with its constituency to identify strategies for increased efficiency. As Laney College President Becky Opsata put it in discussion with The Citizen, "It's a model that other community colleges do, so I think we'll be able to figure it out."
