Unification FAQ

Yes. Oakland City College will continue to offer the courses and programs currently available at Laney and Merritt Colleges. Programs that are specific to one campus will remain there. For example, Wood Technology will continue to be offered at the Laney campus, while Radiologic Science will remain at the Merritt campus.

Programs that currently exist on both campuses will be unified under a single department, creating opportunities to better coordinate scheduling, reduce duplication, and expand student access to courses. Depending on student demand and program needs, classes may be offered at one or both campuses.

The goal of the transformation is not to reduce educational opportunities, but to strengthen and expand them by making it easier for students to access the courses, programs, and support services they need to complete their educational goals. 

Both campuses will continue to have Childcare Centers.

Student input has been a critical part of the Transformation Plan and has informed discussions at every stage of the process. Students have participated through their campus Associated Students organizations, the District's Student Trustees, districtwide and college shared governance committees, open forums, and the Unification Taskforce.

In Spring 2026, student representatives on the Unification Taskforce developed and distributed a districtwide survey to gather feedback on the proposed transformation and identify ways Peralta can better serve students. The survey received more than 250 responses, and the feedback was shared with the Taskforce and leadership team. Many of the questions and concerns raised by students through that process have been incorporated into this FAQ and continue to inform planning and implementation efforts.

The District remains committed to ensuring that students have an ongoing voice in shaping the future of Peralta and Oakland City College.

Student services will continue—and in many cases improve—through shared staffing and expertise as well as more consistent processes. Vital services and support programs will exist in both campus locations of Oakland City College. The specifics for the 2027-2028 academic year are still being discussed. In the meantime, you should still use the same offices and systems.

One goal of the creation of Oakland City College is to strengthen efforts to support external partnerships and streamline coordination and communication with the community and with local businesses.

Student access is a key consideration in the Oakland City College planning process. To support students who take classes at multiple locations, Peralta currently provides a free intercampus shuttle service connecting Laney College, Merritt College, College of Alameda, and Berkeley City College, with Laney serving as the central hub.

The District is committed to maintaining and evaluating transportation options to ensure students can move efficiently between campuses and access the classes, programs, and services they need. Any future transportation planning will continue to prioritize affordability, accessibility, and student success.

Student clubs, traditions, and cultural organizations are an important part of both Laney College and Merritt College, and the goal is to preserve and strengthen them—not eliminate them. Oakland City College will have a single Associated Students organization (ASOCC) responsible for student government and club chartering. While future student leaders will make those decisions, clubs will continue to have opportunities to operate on the campuses where they are most active and may also expand their reach across both locations.

Cultural organizations, affinity groups, and cherished campus traditions will remain an important part of college life, with opportunities to enhance programming, increase participation, and build on the strengths of both colleges.

Yes.

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.

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.

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.