Overview
At the November 2025 meeting, the Unification Taskforce discussed developing an FAQ to address community concerns about Peralta transformation planning. A draft FAQ was reviewed at the January 2026 meeting, and this version was approved at the February 2026 meeting.
Student FAQ
Some programs (or disciplines) may be consolidated, but the disciplines will still be offering courses. Not all courses may be offered at all the campuses, but they will be available within the district.
The goal of this transformation is to expand access to the classes students need most, whether that’s for transfer, career education, or degree completion. Recommendations from the Student Success & Equity Management Council (SSEMC) and other task forces will guide future scheduling.
All of our colleges are fully accredited, which means your classes, credits, and degrees are recognized and meet statewide and national quality standards. Accreditation is important because it allows you to receive financial aid, transfer credits, and earn degrees that employers and universities trust.
As we move forward, we are working closely with ACCJC (the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges) to ensure a smooth transition. ACCJC has been supportive, and there is no interruption to your education, financial aid, or academic progress.
If Merritt College and Laney College move forward as Oakland City College, your academic record will continue to reflect the coursework you completed, and your credentials will carry the same value for employment, licensing, and transfer. There will be no impact on credits you’ve already earned or progress you’ve made toward your program.
If any future updates are needed—such as a college name appearing differently on transcripts—they will be handled automatically within Admissions & Records and clearly communicated. Our goal is to make this transition seamless so you can stay focused on completing your educational goals.
Your degree, certificate, and transcript will remain valid and fully recognized.
It depends on the program you are in, the site where you attended, and the date when you petitioned to graduate.
No. Your financial aid eligibility, awards, and disbursement process will continue as usual. If any administrative updates are needed, students will be notified in advance with clear instructions.
Absolutely not! We are reimagining our class offerings and support services to provide students with an even better educational experience.
The goal is to stop cutting classes and to grow classes in the areas students need.
Yes! Any student working towards a degree or certificate will be able to complete it. Counselors will be able to advise you.
The Unification Taskforce will map the process for deciding in Spring 2026. We welcome suggestions! Send your suggestions to marketing@peralta.edu. Some other potential sources of input are district-wide surveys as well as potential student class projects in graphic arts and art classes.
Yes, there will be student services available at each campus, but we don’t yet know the full scope of those services, and it depends on recommendations by the SSEMC and other task forces.
Student services will continue—and in many cases improve—through shared staffing and expertise and more consistent processes. The location of each service for Oakland City College is still in discussion. In the meantime, students should still use the same offices and systems unless notified otherwise.
Employee FAQ
While there will be some positions impacted, the goal of the transformation is to strengthen the colleges and create opportunities for growth that better serve students.
Collective bargaining agreements are in place to protect employees and will be followed as they relate to Peralta Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1603; SEIU Local 1021; and IUOE Local 39.Yes, there will be student services available at each campus, but we don’t yet know the full scope of those services, and it depends on recommendations by the SSEMC and other task forces.
Student services will continue—and in many cases improve—through shared staffing and expertise and more consistent processes. The location of each service for Oakland City College is still in discussion. In the meantime, students should still use the same offices and systems unless notified otherwise.
The campuses will retain the names, e.g., Oakland City College Laney Campus or Oakland City College Merritt Campus.
We remain committed to honoring, uplifting, and continuing our legacy and culture surrounding social justice and equity.
The District is just beginning work on a new Facilities Master Plan. The Facilities Master Plan, informed by the Transformation Plan and each college’s Educational Master Plan, will be developed over time and will include multiple opportunities for employee and community input. It is expected to be finalized around December 2026. Any future decisions will be guided by program needs, enrollment trends, and feedback from those who work and learn in our spaces, and will be communicated well in advance.
The focus is on creating a more seamless, equitable, and student-centered experience, including clearer pathways, better access to classes, and more coordinated services. So while we don’t yet know precisely what the impact may be, our goal is to make the student experience better. The Unification Taskforce conducted a survey to center the student experience in our work. A district-wide effort is underway to make both the student and employee experience better.
Prior to the pandemic, there were more evening and weekend courses offered than are currently offered, and it is one of the areas that we are looking to expand class offerings.
The goal is to offer evening and weekend programs, intentionally building programs for working students who can only attend classes on nights and weekends. Collective bargaining agreements are in place to protect employees and will be followed as they relate to Peralta Federation of Teachers (local 1603), SEIU (local 1021), and IUOE (local 29).