Laney and Merritt Colleges are expected to merge in 2027.
Photo illustration by Inside Higher Ed | Wikimedia Commons
A controversial plan to merge two Oakland, Calif., community colleges is moving forward after the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees signed off last week.
Proponents of the move say it’ll cut down administrative costs amid enrollment declines and long-standing budget challenges. Critics argue the move is hasty and the district’s two largest colleges should preserve their distinct identities.
Laney and Merritt Colleges will become Oakland City College by fall 2027 as part of a broader district transformation plan introduced last summer. The plan also includes goals to expand online degree programs, dual enrollment and evening and weekend classes. Both Laney and Merritt will continue to operate as their own campuses. The Peralta Community College District acknowledged that some positions will be impacted but didn’t provide further detail.
