Students wanted for volunteer reading program at Laney College

A student-run literacy project at the Peralta College is seeking volunteers at the Children’s Centers of Laney College and Merritt Colleges in Oakland, and College of Alameda.

Orientations will be held this Tuesday and Thursday for Laney College students interested in being Volunteer Readers with Peralta Reads. Students will read to the pre-schoolers at the Laney College Children’s Center each week.

Tuesday, October 12 Noon to 1 PM (Orientation #2 – RSVP Here) 4th Floor, Laney College Student Center Thursday, October 14 Noon to 1 PM (Orientation #3 – RVSP Here) 4th Floor, Laney College Student Center

Besides a fun, rewarding experience working with dynamic children, organizers said, volunteering is a great way to improve your transfer application or resume.

">Peralta Reads is a reading program connecting student volunteers at College of Alameda, Laney College and Merritt College with the children at the campuses’ childcare centers. The program promotes literacy, community service, and family and community engagement in the literacy of children.

Visit www.peraltareads.org for more information, or call 510-473-READ (7323).

Photo Credit: Former Laney College student Charles Perkins reads to child at Oakland Freedom School. Photo by Reginald James/Oakland Freedom School

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Laney College students occupy Peralta Colleges Chancellor's Office

Demanding no more budget cuts, staff layoffs, or fee increases, Laney College students held a noontime rally on the main campus quad on October 7. Some later marched to the Peralta Colleges district and briefly occupied the Chancellor’s office.

Coinciding with a National Day of Action in Defense of Education, the “Speak Out” let any student share how education budget cuts affected them. At the bottom of the event’s stage was a banner that read, “Free Speech Zone,” mocking a policy proposed last spring that critics said would limit free speech on the campus.

While most talked about budget cuts have affected them, their families and classmates, the overall emphasis of speakers was the press need for organization.

“This is exactly what we need to do to let our voices be heard and to show the powers that be that we are organized and we are one,” said Jurena Storm, a student member of the Peralta Colleges Board of Trustees. Storm left the rally early to attend a program at College of Alameda that featured a mass graveyard for education.

Laney College Black Student Union member Timothy Killings told students to take charge of their education’s by being actively engaged in the colleges’ governance, and retaking control of the school.

“First thing we need to do is clear up the misconception that our school is run by the Board of Trustees,” Killings said. “This is our school.” Killings criticized a new fee policy that dropping students from their classes if they do not pay their fees promptly.

In between speakers, the rally’s emcee, former Laney BSU President Jabari Shaw, rapped the song, “Chop from the Top.” The song – based on a popular chant at Peralta board meetings last fall – became a budget cuts anthem of sorts last spring.

“People have called the cuts a tragedy,” said Peter Brown, an instructor in the machine technology department. “A tragedy is when someone is hurt and no one benefits. But when someone benefits, that’s not a tragedy, that’s a crime.” Brown’s comment was a reference to Senator Diane Feinstein’s husband, Richard C. Plum, a UC Regent who has profited while the tuition has skyrocketed, along with others who benefit while people suffer.

Shaw then introduced the next speaker, a challenger for the Peralta board facing a two-term incumbent in the November 2 election, adding, “We’re trying to get rid of the incompetents.”

Monica Tell, a former Laney College student running in Trustee Area 3, introduced herself as a person who grew up in Oakland that is “going to fight the good fight to represent you.”

Student Adon Ortega, an intern with Californians for Justice, encouraged students to sign a petition about financial aid issues and the district’s new policy. “People are supposed to pay fees, and use financial aid, but financial aid doesn’t come until weeks after,” Ortega said.

Student Jevon Cochran, a member of Laney’s Student Unity and Power (SUP), called for repealing Peralta’s new fee policy and for cuts from administrators.

“When these cuts started to come down, they gave administrators raises,” Cochran said. Last year, the Bay Area News Group revealed that former Chancellor Elihu Harris gave raises to administrators against board policy. When trustees found out, instead of repeal the raises, trustees ratified the decision. “They didn’t think it was fair that (Peralta) administrators didn’t make as much as other (districts) administrators. But it’s fair for students to get kicked out of school and it’s fair that workers lose their jobs?”

Administrators need to fight against the cuts, also, Cochan said, calling on students to go picket the district’s headquarters. “We’ve got to take it to the state and to the administrators too. Let’s march!”

A group of 30 students then marched over to Peralta's district headquarters.

Read complete story on The Peralta Report.

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Peralta Board of Trustees November 2010 Election Preview

Three of the Peralta Board of Trustees seven seats will be up for reelection on Tuesday, November 2. With three incumbents running, one trustee is running unopposed while the others each face one challenger.

In Area 3, two-term incumbent Linda Handy faces a challenge from Monica Tell.

Handy, who served as board president in 2006, defeated the embattled trustee Brenda Knight in 2002, with major support from Peralta’s labor unions.

“Despite diminished funding and other challenges, my absolute dedication to student success and our local community is producing results,” Handy said in her candidate statement. “While Board President, I demanded quality service delivery, accountability and employee acknowledgement; fought for transparency and standardized reporting systems; pushed for for an indepdent auditor, and instituted a Board civility policy.” She also cites her work at getting local businesses contracts from Peralta’s $390 million bond Measure A (2006) and Peralta’s Student Health Clinic.

Tell, a former aide for then-Assembly Member Don Perata, lists her occupation as a Public Relations Specialist and Community Liaison. She is currently employed by PG&E.

“The Peralta Colleges need to be critically reviewed and dramatically improved,” writes Tell in her candidate statement. “Earlier this year, the Alameda County Grand Jury criticized the Peralta College trustees and highlighted various concerns, including: inadequate management and oversight; wasteful spending; [and ] excessive travel and improper use of credit cards.” She pledges to “focus on fiscal responsibility, strict management accountability and improved educational services.”
Area 3 includes parts of the Laurel, along with the Fruitvale, Brookdale and Fairfax districts in Oakland.

Trustee Dr. William “Bill” Riley (Area 5) was first elected to the Board in 1998. He’s served as president twice and is currently board VP.

“When I was first elected, Peralta received adequate state funding to support every student enrolling in our colleges. Today, we’re challenged with serving 5,200 more students than the state pays for,” Riley writes.

“I pledge to continue monitoring District completion of Measure A’s $390 million expenditures for college improvements, improving fiscal accountability, fighting for local business participation in capital projects, collaborating to secure our fair share of state funding and mot importantly, strengthening student support services.”

The three-term incument Riley is being challenged for the first time, (unopposed in2002, 2006) by William J. Mattox, a human resources consultant.

“I am a candidate of reform,” writes Mattox. “I am determined to make sure this board is accountable to the community for fiscal responsibility, effective employee management, focus, vision, and purpose.” Mattox cites his experience in HR as sufficient for budget analysis and monitoring employee performance.

Area 5 includes Oakland’s Rockridge District and the City of Piedmont.

Incumbent Abel Guillen (Area 7), the current board president is running unopposed. His name will not appear on the ballot.

“We are on the frontlines of college access and career training in growing industries,” Guillen writes in his candidate statement. Guillen was elected in 2006, defeating two-term incumbent Alona Clifton with major support from Peralta’s labor unions. “I have fought to hold Peralta’s management more accountable through a series of financial reforms and cost-saving measures; and a national search for a new chancellor is under way to build upon these improvements.

Area 7 includes West Oakland, Temescal, Uptown, Lake Merritt and most of Oakland’s Chinatown.

The Peralta Federation of Teachers (PFT), representing the District’s faculty, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1021, the union representing classified staff, have yet to make any endorsements for the contested positions. PFT endorsed Guillen in June.

Photo Credit: Peralta Colleges' SmugMug

Editors Note: This article is the first in a planned ten part series covering the Peralta Board of Trustees elections taking place Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Do you have questions for the candidates? Leave them in a comment below, or email us.

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A Day at COA: Inside the College of Alameda Children's Center

Photo: Reginald James/TheBlackHour.com.

Nekah Dewitt shares a 'photograph' she made for you at the College of Alameda Children's Center.

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Earlier this semester, the Peralta Colleges administration announced its intention to close the College of Alameda Children's Center in July. After mothers organized, workers spoke out, and students protested (shutting down an April trustees meeting), the center will remain open through 2010.

Forty four students attend the center's school. The two classrooms, divided into "Tigers" and "Dragonflies," give children a loving environment while their parents are at work or school.

In the mornings, children play music, do arts and crafts, solve puzzles and learn shapes, colors and patterns. Later, students play outside on the jungle gym and run throughout the yard.

After washing their hands, students come back inside for snacks. Then it's storytime. After that the children lie down for a nap.

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Peralta Colleges propose 'free speech zones' to limit free speech, students, faculty say

Photo: The Desert Lamp

A proposal to designate specific areas on campuses of the Peralta Colleges as "free speech zones" has drew outrage from faculty, staff and students at a May 12 town hall.

The draft "Administrative Procedures (AP) 5550-Speech: Time, Place, and Manner" will regulate public "speech activities" on campus. Individuals and organizations from the community that "wish to table, display materials, petition, engage in public address, distribute literature and/or post flyers" would have to comply with the proposed regulations.

Speakers would be limited to the 150 foot x 150 foot main quad at Laney College, as well as the outdoor quads at COA and Merritt College, and the Student Lounge on the fifth floor at Berkeley City College.

Requests for non-students to come on campus would have to be made three business days in advance and will be granted on first-come first basis, according to the procedure.

Groups would also have to reserve a space three business days in advance. Fliers could no longer be posted onto windows and walls, and would be restricted to bulletin boards. All fliers would also require an English translation.

The proposal is the result of ongoing district litigation with an anti-abortion group that was removed from COA in 2008, according to Peralta General Counsel Thuy Nguyen, who said she expected a decision on the case soon.

"If there is any light at the end of the tunnel, it is that there's an ability to coexist," Nguyen said.

The tone of the town hall quickly changed when an attorney representing the faculty union called the proposal "an abomination."

"Martin Luther King would have been in violation of this (proposal) the moment he spoke," said Bob Bezemek, legal counsel for the Peralta Federation of Teachers, who has threatened to sue if the procedure is implemented.

Some Peralta employees said the language was ambiguous, while others said it provided needed guidelines to ensure the safety of students and employees.

Anti-abortion group at Laney College An anti-abortion group caused quite a stir on campus when they arrived at Laney College March 8. The group showcased banners with graphic images of dismembered fetuses.

In March, Laney College students and staff complained when an anti-abortion group came on campus with huge banners with images of aborted fetuses. The protesters also harassed people walking through the quad by taking their photos and posting them on Facebook and Twitter.

Laney College librarian Margaret Traylor, who wrote a letter of protest following the incident, said the proposal created needed guidelines to balance free speech and the safety of the campus community.

"Even if the Tea Party came on campus, I wouldn't object," Traylor said. "Everything in this world needs a guideline." Referring to the incident on March 8, she said, "Some people were threatened and intimidated" by the protesters.

The forum was held at the same time as an ASLC discussion meeting, and just four students were in attendance.

"Seems like we're attacking our students for something they didn't have anything to do with," said Laney student Stewart Jollymore. "The issue is involving people not apart of the college coming on campus."

Nguyen responded that on one campus, students are required to reserve space at least two weeks in advance.

"Ultimately, the board and district have to take a position on protesters," Nguyen said. "They have gave me direction to honor free speech to the fullest extent."

Requests for permission to speak on campus could be denied if the request conflicts with another reservation, previously scheduled student activities, or during finals week. Even though speakers cannot be banned from campus based on their message, administrators can forbid speech activities deemed disruptive or in "defiance of the authority of district officials."

Many students, like Alessandro Tinonga note that the proposal is being floated at the same time students are protesting trustees and administrators. Since the fall of 2009 semester, there have been numerous protests at the district's board meetings, as well as the March 4 Day of Action.

According to Nguyen, Peralta's attorneys in the COA lawsuit drafted the proposed language three months ago, prior to the March 4 protests, the anti-abortion protest at Laney College and the April 13 protest that shutdown a trustees meeting.

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Thousands of Peralta students overcharged

Summary

• Thousands of students attending the Peralta Colleges were charged for a fee that should have never been implemented
• Had the Student Representation Fee passed, students would have tens of thousands of dollars to advocate on behalf of the student body
• Student representatives failed to organize the pass the measure
• The ballot measure was placed on the ballot by trustees and administrators improperly, a student expect says
• Due to more budget cuts, student representatives say the fee is needed

By Reginald James TheBlackHour.com Editor

Thousands of students attending the Peralta Colleges were overcharged for a student fee that was erroneously implemented in the fall of 2009. The fee was later repealed and funds were credited back to students.

An election on each of the district's four campuses was held in the spring of 2009 for Proposition B: Student Representation Fee. The measure asked if students wanted to pay a $1 fee for "student government to advocate on your behalf."

"Proposition B requires all Peralta students to pay a $1 Student Representation Fee per semester," according to an email sent out to all students in May 2009. This same message was posted on the Peralta website, and numerous posters on campus.

At other colleges throughout the state, revenue for the fee is used for travel to and from conferences where legislative matters are discussed. Students may refuse to pay the fee for religious, political, financial or moral reasons, according to the Code.

After the Tower informed officials that Proposition B did not pass, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Services and Admissions Jim Bracy took responsibility for failing to provide oversight of the campus elections.

Representatives from each campus emailed Bracy stating that the proposition had passed. He said he should have verified the election results sent to him by the campuses, instead of assuming the information provided was accurate.

“Upon closer review of my calculations of the spring 2009 elections, Proposition B (student representation fee) did not quite achieve the required two-third passage vote,” Bracy wrote in a Sept. 2 email to district administrators. “Consequently, I am asking the administration at each college to direct the bursars to immediately suspend the collection of the $1 student representation fee.”

An estimate 3,000 students were charged, according to district officials. The student’s payments were credited towards other fees, Bracy said.

Many student representatives were disappointed the proposition failed.

“I’m disappointed they assumed it passed,” Student Trustee Yvonne Thompson said in a fall 2009 interview. “Makes me wonder, ‘if you don’t check that, what else didn’t you check?’”

With this year’s spike in student enrollment, the fee could have raised at least $25,000 for student advocacy at Laney College alone.

“If [the] rep fee had passed, we would have used it for budget cut issues,” said ASLC President Ju Hong, who voted for the proposition. He was under the impression Proposition B had passed, but found out at a fall Board of Trustees meeting it hadn’t.

Hong said the money could’ve been used for this to fund ASLC’s recent bus trip for a march and rally at the State Capitol in Sacramento. The Laney Tower reported students were encouraged to “beg and plead” >Chancellor Elihu Harris for funding for the trip, despite students simultaneously protesting Harris, district administrators and trustees over disastrous budget cuts.

Lack of publicity
Proposition B failed last spring due to a lack of publicity, according to multiple sources. No information about the proposition was provided to the Laney Tower prior to the election, and minimal information was on Peralta’s special Referendum 2009 website.

Students also did not campaign for it and the student governments were “not communicating with their constituency,” Thompson said.

The Proposition was bundled with last spring’s Proposition A: AC Transit EasyPass by the Peralta Board’s Student Services Committee, according to that committee’s minutes. The board adopted a resolution in March 2009 to place the measure on the student ballot.

Although student representatives active at the time said they were not well informed of the initiative, past student governments have pushed for the fee.

ASLC representatives pushed for the fee in the spring of 2004, according to Laney Tower reports. The four Associated Student Councils of Peralta (College of Alameda, Laney College and Merritt Collge in Oakland and Vista College, now Berkeley City College) got the go ahead to have a student election that year, according to the March 23, 2004 minutes of the board. The election's results were never published in the Laney Tower; however, election results obtained from the office of Laney College Student Activities Adviser Algeria Kirven show that the measure was passed at both Merritt and Laney College. Laney approved the measure by 71 percent while Merritt approved it with 67 percent. The measure only received 51 percent approval at COA. Election results from Vista could not be obtained from numerous sources.

In the fall of 2005, ASLC members mulled another run at the student representation fee. In the fall of 2007, the Associated Students of College of Alameda (ASCOA) adopted a resolution in favor of the student rep fee.

Although Proposition B received 69 percent approval at COA in 2009, it was not implemented.

“It was a district wide proposition,” Bracy said. “Not for an individual campus.”

ASCOA President Mali Watkins suspects the lack of information available may be why students on other campuses didn’t actively campaign to pass the proposition. He also paid the fee, but wonders where the money really went.

“We weren’t given much information about the proposition beforehand,” said Watkins, who was re-elected last spring. “We thought that it passed. Then we were told it was rescinded because it didn’t meet the minimum amount of votes required.” Watkins paid the fee, but does not know whether or not it was credited.
Watkins said, “I have no idea where the dollar went because it was such a minimum amount.”

Shoddy voting records

The code also requires a minimum number of students to vote in favor of the proposition for the election to be valid. The number of students voting in the election must be equal to or greater than the average number of students voting in the previous election, according to the code.

The various campuses did not have election results from previous years, according to Bracy. Officials were also unable to confirm what number, or source, was used to determine if the proposition met the minimum number of voting students required by the code for the election to be valid.

At the time, Merritt and BCC both had interim vice-presidents of student services (VPSS), Laney College’s VPSS was in his first year and the COA VPSS just returned from a short stint at the district as associate vice-chancellor.

Excluding Kirve, student activities advisers on the campuses contacted by the Tower were unable to provide past election results. With the exception of Laney College, student life personnel have also been unstable. Berkeley City College has been without an adviser this year. Merritt College's adviser left the district last year after allegedly misappropriating funds, according to sources.

Future action

While Bracy does not believe the current climate of increased student fees is appropriate for another go at the student rep fee, many student leaders say it is necessary to fight budget cuts.

A few student representatives thought the item would be a part of this year’s election. The item was to be placed on the ballot, according to the February 2010 minutes of the Board’s Student Services and Equity Committee. The measure was not included in this year’s election.

Rachael Richards, a senator with the Student Senate for California Community Colleges – a statewide student organization – said Peralta's election was a good example of how not to run an election.

"Each college's Associated Students call their own elections (or agree to have the elections as a district concerted event)," Richards said. She added each campus "must tally their own threshold, and votes at each college."

Posters on campus indicating the fee was to be implemented in the fall remain, just like some students’ hope that the proposition will eventually be passed.

“We need that advocacy fund,” Thompson said, encouraging student leaders to revisit the item. “It is important to the community colleges. We’re most affected [by budget cuts], she added. “We’ve got to get out there and advocate [and students] need funds to do that.”

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Disclosure: Reginald James previously served as a Student Trustee of the Peralta Colleges from 2006-2008. At that time, he advocated for the implementation of the Student Representation Fee.

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Public Employees Salaries

This database lists salaries of all public employees of the Peralta Community College District. Consultant and contractor pay was not included.

Click here to load this Caspio Bridge DataPage.

You can search the database by an employee's first or last name, by department or job title, or based upon salary.

This data represents pay received in the 2009 calendar year. The data was obtained by The Black Hour through a California Public Records Act request.

If you have any concerns about this data, email us at theblackhour(at)gmail(dot)com.

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Peralta Student Election Guide

After careful deliberation, The Black Hour is sharing our 2010-2011 Election Guide.

There are a number of candidates for Student Trustee, ASLC President and there is a very important (and confusing) ballot measure. Here are our suggestions:

Election Guide Proposition A No. "two one year terms" Student Trustee No endorsement ASLC President Dawna Williams Publicity Commissioner Brandy Smith Senator Leonard Hutton

District Wide Elections
Proposition A: Extending Term Limits for Student Trustees
No. Do not extend term limits for Student Trustees. This proposition is undemocratic, and emerged in an undemocratic fashion. Not only that, it appears very ambiguously on the ballot.

The Black Hour urges you to vote in favor of keeping terms at a "maximum of two one-year terms."

Student Trustee - No endorsement.
Not only did all of the candidates fail to achieve the required signatures to qualify for the ballot, but we believe Black students will have to push all these students into action.
Although we were thoroughly impressed by Jurena Storm's responses to our questionnaire; we were concerned by her lack of a response to concerns about a major issue among African American students. We appreciate her willingness to represent all students; however, we realize that Black students will have to push her as they would any other student to get our agenda realized.
Our committee does not support extending term limits for Student Trustees. For an incumbent, we did not feel she adequately answered our questions. So, although we appreciated incumbent Yvonne Thompson's response to our last question, we believe it is time for her to pass the torch and allow another student the opportunity.
Rita Mouton-Patterson and Darnice Davis did not respond to our questionnaire.

Laney College
ASLC President - Dawna Williams
Vote for Dawna Williams. Williams was the only candidate that responded to our survey; and from what we can tell, she is the only one actively campaigining. Although other students have numerous signs throughout the campus, she is actively speaking to students. In fact, she has done so throughout the semester, not only in her campus job as a counselor, but through her role in the Alpha Lambda organization and her "News you can Use" (tri-weekly campus announcements).

Publicity Commissioner - Brandy Smith
We are confident that Smith will creatively, actively work to share information with the student body.
Disclosure: Smith is a photographer for The Black Hour

Senator - Leonard Hutton

(Click on the names above to read their responses to our survey)

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Student Trustee Candidate Jurena Storm

Jurena Storm
Major: Political Science
G.P.A.: 3.508
Slogan: “United by Storm”

What is the role of a Student Trustee? What does a Student Trustee do?
The role of a Student Trustee is to be the official voice of the students in shared governance.
The Student Trustee is the voice of the students in deliberations of the governing board. In my opinion in order for the Student Trustee to be that voice they must work closely with the students to be able to say that you are the student voice.

Why are you running for Student Trustee?
Students deserve strong representation at the District Level. Someone that is knowledgeable of the issues and can articulate the needs and wants of the students to the Board; while also having the ability to articulate the wants and needs of the Board and the District as a whole to the students without using intimidation or fear. I want to work with the students in partnership to empower students to tap into the power that we posses within the District to make change for ourselves and the future students to come.

What experience do you have that qualifies you to serve as a Student Trustee?
My life experience, my work history in corporate America, the classes that I take, the clubs I participate in, skills that I have obtained at various workshops and trainings qualifies me on paper to serve as a Student Trustee. What qualifies me the most is that I am a struggling student that can relate to the student population; I am affected by the policies and issues just as my fellow students. Because I am also in the fight I have the passion and empathy to represent the students with my all and my best.

What are your top three (3) priorities if elected?

1. To improve communication and dissemination of accurate information to the students.
2. To improve student participation in shared governance on all levels especially the District.
3. Unifying the four sister colleges and fostering a spirit of family, care, responsibility to our fellow students and our schools.

The Peralta Colleges are considered to be very diverse campuses. How will you go about representing students of so many different backgrounds?
The only way to represent the many diverse students within the Peralta District is to work with the Associated Students and Inter-Club Councils closely on all four campuses. I understand that the Student Trustee position is a partnership position with all the other student leaders on the four campuses. I further understand that there are student leaders on campuses that are not recognized officially. Therefore, I plan on developing a special team of students on each campus to help me represent the 30,000 students in the Peralta District.

Are there any particular issues or policies that you intend to address that affect Black or African students?
The operative word in this question is students; although I understand and I am sensitive to the struggles of the African American student because I am African American. I intend to be a Student Trustee for all students. In regards to the particular issues or policies; my focus will be on the new Student Health Fee to ensure that we receive services that are needed.

Should Student Trustee term limits be extended? Why or why not?
In my opinion the Term Limits for a Student Trustee should not be extended. Like all the other student shared governance positions, this position is a learning opportunity. This opportunity should be made available to as many qualified students as possible. We are all at Community College to gain experience and training to transition to the next stage in life. Because the time at the Community College level may exceed two years it is imperative to have term limits so there will be someone with knowledge and experience to guide the new people in the position. I further believe that sometimes the longer you hold a position your passion and sense of urgency fades. You can become comfortable and lose touch with your constituency.

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Students protest trustees meeting

The April 13 Peralta Board of Trustees meeting was temporarily shut down by students protesting budget cuts and mothers fighting the closure of the COA Children’s Center.
After dozens spoke out, students demanded an immediate response from trustees.

The Board quickly adjourned the meeting and retreated to the Chancellor’s Office Conference room. Students chanted, "No cuts, No fees/Education should be free" and "Elihu Harris - what's your problem?/They're just children, don't you rob 'em?/".

Students later formed a circle with the chairs in the audience and began discussing future steps. Peralta Police, who had called for back up, demanded protesters leave the building by 9 p.m., under the impression that the meeting was over. By 9 p.m., the Board room was nearly empty. Minutes later, the board emerged and reconvened.



At the same meeting, trustees appointed veteran educator Dr. Wise Allen as interim chancellor.

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Peralta makes 'Wise' decision for interim Chancellor

By Reginald James TheBlackHour.com Editor

Trustees at the Peralta Colleges voted Tuesday to appoint Dr. Wise Allen as interim Chancellor. Allen, currently Peralta’s Interim Vice Chancellor of Education Services will replace Chancellor Elihu Harris whose contract expires July 1.

"Vice Chancellor Allen brings the unique combination of being a respected academic and a veteran administrator who can shepherd the District through these difficult budget times," Board President Abel Guillen said. "He has integrity and is respected throughout the State.

Allen, who retired from the district in 2001, has the unique distinction of having been an administrator at each of the four Peralta Colleges.

In 2007, he was the Interim President at Berkeley City College after serving as the interim vice president of instruction that spring. In 2005-06, Allen filled in for Dr. Jeanette Jackson as Vice-President of Instruction during her deployment to Iraq.

The former Merritt College President even once served as both the college president and district vice chancellor simultaneously.

Dr. Wise Allen Education Ph.D. Social and clinical psychology Wright Institute M.S.W. Howard University BA Psychology San Francisco State Position Interim Chancellor Effective July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011, or until position filled $240,000 annual salary Previous Experience Interim Vice-Chancellor of Education Services Interim Berkeley City College (BCC) President Interim COA Vice-President of Instruction Merritt College President

Allen was appointed as district Vice Chancellor in the late ‘80s when Peralta was under state receivership. It is expected that he will use his relationships and credibility with members of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) to prevent a state takeover of Peralta and maintain the colleges' accreditation.

"I am confident he will be able to lead us through our reaccredidation and make sure we continue to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for the thousands of students we serve," Guillen said.

Replacing outgoing Chancellor
The Board voted 6-1 during closed session to appoint Allen. Trustee Linda Handy (Area 3 – San Antonio) was the lone dissenting vote against the decision. Handy could not be reached for comment.

When Harris was appointed as the district’s permanent chancellor, Handy – who along with Trustee Bill Riley were the only trustees that are still on the board – initially did not plan to vote for Harris as Chancellor, according to the Oakland Tribune. Harris eventually got her vote.

In January, trustees opted not to renew Harris' contract as Chancellor.

Interim Chancellor's compensation

"Vice Chancellor Allen brings the unique combination of being a respected academic and a veteran administrator who can shepherd the District through these difficult budget times. He has integrity and is respected throughout the state." Abel Guillen Peralta Board President

Allen’s annual salary is $240,000, likely much higher than his starting salary as a sociology professor at COA nearly forty years ago. It is unclear how much compensation Allen still receives as a retiree. Until 2004, Peralta officials received lifetime health benefits upon retirement.

Allen’s contract ends June 30, 2011, or until the position is filled. Trustees received presentations from three Executive Search firms April 13, but after three separate motions, the Board failed to select one to advance the process of selecting a permanent chancellor. Board members were instructed by President Abel Guillen to rank their top choices and submit them to the Board clerk. Guillen announced on his Facebook fan page that the Board selected Commnity College Search Services to assist the district in the search for a permanent chancellor.

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Protest the Peralta Board of Trustees

Peralta College students fed up with budget cuts plan to demonstrate at the April 13 Board of Trustees meeting in Oakland.
Among other things, students are upset with the plan to shutdown the College of Alameda Children's Center and lay off workers at the Laney College Children's Center.

Additionally, students are concerned about the recent announcement that Peralta expects $8 million in additional cuts.

The Peralta Board of Trustees meetings at 7:00 p.m. at the District Boardroom, 333 East 8th Street, across the street from Laney College. Peralta Colleges Board meetings are also streamed live on Peralta TV and via Granicus, Peralta's government media streaming service.

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Merritt College hosts roundtable on African American Women in Higher Education

At the March 25 Peralta Colleges Staff Professional Development Day, a group of Merritt College educators gathered for a special discussion. Black women came together to discuss, "African American Women in Higher Education."

The educators shared their various experiences, as captured in the videos below.


"African American Women in Higher Education." Part 1


"African American Women in Higher Education" Part 2

Videos by P-Span, Peralta TV.

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COA counselor gets probation for forgery, identity theft

By Reginald James TheBlackHour.com Editor

A former College of Alameda counselor was sentenced Monday to five years probation and 120 days in jail for multiple felony charges, including forgery and identity theft.

Shirley Robinson, 69, who has been in custody at Santa Rita Jail for nearly a month since a jury convicted her of ten felonies, was sentenced at Alameda County Superior Court on March 29 and ordered to pay restitution and stay away from the victims.

"Robinson created a forged power of attorney in an attempt to sell the property without victim Robert's knowledge." Alameda County DA

The convictions stem from a real estate fraud and identity theft scheme perpetrated at the height of the real estate boom of 2005, according to prosecutors. Robinson and the victim, former COA counselor Alze Roberts, were friends for 50 years.

Robinson created a forged power of attorney–authorization to act on behalf of someone else–in an attempt to sell the property without Roberts knowing, prosecutors said. To make that transaction appear legit, Robinson also stole the identity of three other individuals.

Robinson lacked remorse for her crime and refused to take responsibility for her actions, the judge said. The only remorse Robinson had, the judge said, was that she had not taken the prosecution’s initial offer of probation before she was jailed.

Robinson, who appeared in court wearing a blue county-issued jumpsuit, said was “deeply troubled” by the events that have taken place.

After being in jail for a month, Robinson said, “There’s no way I could not be remorseful for every event.” She later acknowledged her responsibility for presenting the power of attorney, after urging by the judge. “I am remorseful.”

There’s no way I could not be remorseful for every event. I am remorseful. Shirley Robinson

Robinson was initially sentenced to five years probation. If she complies with the terms of probation, in three years time, she may get off early.

Alameda County Deputy District Attorney David Lim requested Robinson serve one year in county jail for the charges. The judge said it was not warranted. The judge then sentenced Robinson to four months in jail, including 30 days time served with the remaining to be under electronic home confinement.

Robinson will also have to pay restitution amounting in $500 along with a parallel $500 fine once the probation is successfully completed. There is civil judgment currently on appeal with Roberts claiming $300,000 along with attorney’s fees, but it was not considered relating to this case, the judge said.

The judge ordered Robinson to submit to search and seizure of her person, vehicle, belongings and her residence, if at a reasonable hour. Robinson was also ordered to stay at least 25 yards away from Roberts, and at least 10 yards away from the other three victims and two witnesses.

Robinson, a former COA Department Chair, was employed by the Peralta Colleges for 40 years. She recently retired, according to a COA spokesperson. Roberts was a counselor at COA from 1989 until she retired in 2008.

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COA counselor convicted of fraud to be sentenced Monday

Former College of Alameda Counselor Shirley J. Robinson, who was convicted of 10 felony counts March 1 in a real estate fraud and identity theft scheme involving a long-time friend and colleague, will be sentenced Monday, March 29 in Alameda County Superior Court.

Robinson was immediately taken into custody after the conviction for the 2005 scheme was designed to take legal title away from Robinson's friend of 50 years, Alze Roberts, according to the Alameda County District Attorney's (DA) Office,

"Robinson created a forged power of attorney in an attempt to sell the property without victim Robert's knowledge." Alameda County DA

"Robinson created a forged power of attorney in an attempt to sell the property without victim Robert's knowledge," according to the DA's Recent Verdicts website. "In addition to forging the name of victim Roberts, Robinson also stole the identity of three other individuals to make the forged power of attorney look legitimate."

Robinson, who was allowed to retire, according to a COA spokesperson, will be sentenced at the Alameda County Superior Court on Fallon Street in Oakland.

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Peralta trustees appeal lawsuit by Oakland Tribune owners

By Reginald James
TheBlackHour.com Editor

The Peralta Board of Trustees voted to appeal a judge's decision forcing the community college district to release a report on Chancellor Elihu Harris' role in awarding a no-bid contract to a former business partner at its March 23 board meeting.

The Board voted 6-1 to appeal the BANG Vs. PCCD decision (the ruling ordering Peralta to make the district's Inspector General's report public.) Trustee Bill Withrow (Area 1-Alameda) voted against the decision, Board President Abel Guillen announced during the report of closed session actions.

The lawsuit (BANG v. PCCD, Alameda County Superior Court Case No. RG 09-480017) has appeared on the Board's closed session agenda for several meetings. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch ordered Peralta to release a censored version of the document, but district officials refused, according to the Oakland Tribune.

The Office of the General Inspector website states, "Draft reports cannot be released to the public until finalized and authorized by the Peralta Governing Board of Trustees."

Trustees opted not to renew Harris' contract at a January meeting. The March 23 closed session agenda also had an item to consider appointing an interim Chancellor, but the board did not take action. The Chancellor search commmittee meets this Friday, Guillen later announced.

At the meeting, the Board also voted to authorize the Chancellor to notify eight staff at the Laney College Childcare Center that they will likely be laid off. Students, faculty, staff and parents protested the budget cuts at the Laney Children's Center -- as well as the proposed closure of the COA Children's Center-- suggesting officials "Chop from the Top."

Correction: According to the Oakland Tribune, through January, Peralta has spent nearly $100,000 defending itself against BANG Peralta has spent $100,000 defending itself against BANG in January alone.

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Oakland, Laney College students march, rally in Sacramento for Higher Education

Laney College students and employees are joining the educational budget cuts rally in Sacramento, on Monday, March 22. They will be marching to stop budget cuts, fee increases and staff layoffs.

Once in Sacramento, the group will march from Raley Field in West Sacramento to the State Capitol.

The Laney Team will be assembling at beginning at 7 a.m. Buses are scheduled to depart promptly at 7:30 a.m.

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COA Black History Month Panel Discussion

The College of Alameda held a panel discussion February 23 as a part of the campus' Black History Month program.

The topic of the program was called, "Our Future: It's not a job, it's a career."



Video courtesy of Peralta TV

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College of Alameda students rally against budget cuts

COA Rally against budget cuts video courtesy of Peralta TV's P-Span

By Reginald James
TheBlackHour.com Editor

Over 100 students, along with faculty and staff, staged a rally on the College of Alameda quad March 4 for momentum in the battle of budget cuts. Organizers hoped to get COA students to attend an evening rally in San Francisco and to participate in the March 22 demonstration at the State Capitol.

“We’ve been getting a lot of bad news lately; teachers and staff being laid off, friends and fellow students being turned away from the classroom,” COA student Jean Washburn said. “And there’s more bad news to come.” She added that students could not sit around and wait for things to get better.

“I want to hear some good news now, but it’s not going to happen unless we make it happen. Together we can take back our education. Together we can take back our future and our dreams." Jean Washburn

“I’m impatient. I want to hear some good news now, but it’s not going to happen unless we make it happen,” Washburn said. “You have to make noise in order to be heard. We will be heard tonight in Civic Center. We will be heard in Sacramento on the 22nd. We will be heard across the state and the nation saying, ‘We are students, we are powerful. Together we can take back our education. Together we can take back our future and our dreams.”

Speaking after Washburn, COA Political Science professor Robert Brem said that students will be ignored if they do not stand up for education and democracy. He added that students could not just protest on campus and expect the media and legislators to take them seriously.

"The purpose of this protest is not to protest at COA,” Brem said. “The purpose is to get your ass to San Francisco tonight,” referring to evening rally at Civic Center where students from throughout the Bay Area later ascended.

“We are currently experiencing the evisceration of our educational system,” Brem said. “You are experiencing the creation of a third world nation. Democracy is built on education.”

COA Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) Coordinator Helene Maxwell said funding for her program was cut in half. She said that long-term action was needed to save education in California.

“We are currently experiencing the evisceration of our educational system."
Robert Brem

“This is not a one day movement, it has to continue,” Maxwell said. She encouraged students to sign the petitions for the California Democracy Act (CDA), a proposition to change the state constitution to allow a simple majority to approve state budgets opposed to a 2/3 majority.

Jurena Storm, vice-president of administration for the Associated Students of College of Alameda (ASCOA) was pleased to see so many students “uniting for a cause that affects all of us.” Storm was recently a panelist in a discussion on Higher Education along with Two East Bay lawmakers and said that lawmakers were clueless to the impact of budget cuts on students’ educations.

“They had no idea about students sitting on the floors because there’s not enough chairs in the classrooms,” Storm said. “They had no idea about students dropping out because they can’t afford the tuition. They have no idea about students struggling because their parents have lost their jobs and can no longer afford for them to go to school.”

"Nobody has told you, but they’re talking about raising tuition to $40 per unit. If you’re not registered to vote, nobody cares what you think. You want to get rid of legislators, vote.” Toni Cooke

“The people in the legislature don’t know. It’s our job to tell them. They work for us and we have to demand the work for us.

Toni Cooke, coordinator of the campus’ EOPS program, encouraged students to “come together as a community” and not “stand back as bystanders.”

“Nobody has told you, but they’re talking about raising tuition to $40 per unit,” Cooke said, referring to the California Legislative Analyst Office’s (LAO) proposal to raise community college enrollment fees. “If you’re not registered to vote, nobody cares what you think. You want to get rid of legislators, vote.”

Following the speakers, poetry about education was read, and other students were able to come to the microphone and express how budget cuts affected them.

Washburn ended the event with a call-and-response chant, yelling “Who got the power?” to the crowds’ unscripted response, “We’ve got the power!”

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Laney College March 4 Walkout, Rally, March Schedule

Photo: Flickr user TheBlackHour.com

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Thursday's schedule of activities:
11AM: Walk out of classes NOON: Rally on the Main Quad at Laney College 1PM:March to Oakland City Hall 5PM: Rally at the Civic Center in SF

Students, faculty and staff at Laney College plan to walk out Thursday, March 4 at 11 a.m. to protest Higher Education cuts. Upset of budget cuts and fee hikes, a noontime rally is a part of a statewide Day of Action.

Students plan to march to Oakland City Hall at 14th and Broadway to join a rally with students from College of Alameda, Merritt College, UC Berkeley and numerous Oakland High Schools, and K-12 students.

Following the rally at Frank Ogawa Plaza, students will meet at 5 p.m. for a regional rally at Civic Center in San Francisco.

Students have been actively organizing on campus for months, distributing flyers and producing banners. Below is a slideshow with photos from TheBlackHour.com's Flickr page.

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