In an effort to address steep enrollment declines, Merritt and Laney colleges announced the approval of plans to merge under the new “Oakland City College” name by next fall, while keeping both campuses open — a move that some students and faculty say left them feeling blindsided.

Last Tuesday, the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees approved the merger in a 4-2 vote, as the Chronicle reports. The merger is part of a broader effort by the Peralta Community College District to address years of financial instability and declining enrollment.

District leaders say combining Laney and Merritt under the Oakland City College name would streamline operations while preserving both campuses and their academic programs. The district's other two schools, Berkeley City College and College of Alameda, would remain separate.

According to SFGate, the plan has sparked opposition from some students, faculty, alumni, and community members, who argue they were not adequately informed about the merger — while district officials say the merger's year-long planning process included extensive community engagement.*

Opponents are urging district leaders to delay the decision for at least another year to allow more time for community input and a fuller assessment of potential impacts, per the Chronicle. Some say they fear the consolidation could lead to reduced services, support programs, and resources for vulnerable students, and a few faculty members reportedly raised concerns about the loss of the colleges' distinct identities, including Merritt College's historic ties to the Black Panther movement.

SFGate notes that Laney College originally offered free vocational education under the name Oakland Central Trade School until 1953, while Merritt College served as a business school. In 1954, Laney and Merritt merged under the Oakland Community College name, which was changed to Oakland City College in 1958. The two became separate colleges as part of the Peralta Junior College District in 1964.

Supporters say the merger reflects the two colleges’ shared histories and progressive roots throughout their nearly 100 years in operation.

* This post has been updated to note that the merger proposal underwent a year-long planning process that included community input before receiving final approval.

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Image: Laney College/Google Maps