Berkeley Blog 5.6 Press/News

ɫ��ֱ�� and The New Parkway Theater Present 100 Years of Movies

Tom Rizza — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 20:25:40 GMT

The Berkeley City College Humanities Program is partnering with The New Parkway Theater to present 100 Years of Movies with Berkeley City College, showcasing classic films every Monday night through the month of February. These films are commonly taught in ɫ��ֱ�� Humanities courses, and each film will be introduced by ɫ��ֱ�� faculty offering insights into the historical and cultural context behind the film.

Berkeley City College Designated California Black Serving Institution

Tom Rizza — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:50:34 GMT

Berkeley City College has been selected as part of the inaugural cohort of California institutions designated as Black-Serving Institutions (BSIs), a state recognition for colleges that demonstrate excellence in supporting Black and African American students.

Berkeley City College Named Pathway Champion of Transfer Equity

Tom Rizza — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 17:24:30 GMT

Berkeley City College (ɫ��ֱ��) has been recognized as a 2025 Pathway Champion of Transfer Equity by the Campaign for College Opportunity, earning honors in two categories:

California Community Colleges Pathway Champion of Transfer – Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) as a Percentage of All Associate Degrees Awarded, and
California Community College Transfer Champion for Black Students.

This statewide recognition celebrates ɫ��ֱ��’s leadership in creating equitable pathways that help students reach their transfer and degree goals. Berkeley City College was distinguished as the top school in the state with 72% of all Associate Degrees being ADTs - guaranteeing placement into a CSU. ɫ��ֱ��'s rate of awarding ADTs to Black Students was also 72%, demonstrating that ɫ��ֱ�� shows no equity gap for Black Students earning ADTs compared to the overall rate of completion.

Berkeley City College "Tops Off" New West Campus

Tom Rizza — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 19:52:00 GMT

Berkeley City College celebrated a milestone achievement in the construction of its new Berkeley City College West campus. One year after breaking ground on the project, the superstructure of the six-story, 60,000 square foot academic and administration building reached its highest point. To mark the occasion, Berkeley City College and Peralta Community College District leaders, students, faculty, and staff joined its construction partners Kitchell, XL Construction, and Ratcliff, and city leaders and community partners in signing a ceremonial beam.

Reaffirming Our Commitment to Student Privacy and Safety

Denise Richardson — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 20:29:47 GMT

Dear Berkeley City College community,

It has come to my attention that fliers promoting illegal activities, such as preventing federal agents from entering public spaces on campus, are being distributed by on campus. Please be aware that this group is not affiliated with Berkeley City College’s Undocumented Community Resource Center or the Undocu Solidarity Club in any way.

We are writing to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to protecting students’ privacy and safety, especially those from mixed-status families and undocumented students. We must all adhere to the protocols established by the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) and ɫ��ֱ�� to ensure legal compliance and maintain the safety of students, faculty, and staff.

PCCD has produced additional resources, information, and instructions on the Peralta Website within the New Community Safety section, along with flyers in Spanish, English and Basic Chinese that you can access and print. This includes free mental health resources and legal support should you need them.

Student safety, well-being, and academic success remain our top priorities. Students, we encourage you to stay on your educational path, and to continue attending your classes and to connect with our campus resources (below) when you need support.

As part of our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive space where every student can pursue higher education free from fear, we want to share with you some essential information regarding our policies and protocols that help protect our students.

Immigration Status and Confidentiality

Berkeley City College staff and faculty will not request or record information regarding the immigration status of any student or their family members, except for specific purposes related to residency and tuition, International student status, financial aid eligibility and disbursement, and student employment eligibility.

Important: All student records, including immigration status, are protected by federal and state confidentiality laws. The Higher Education Act, FERPA, and the Privacy Act restricts the sharing of student data without a court order, judicial warrant, or explicit written consent from the student. In such cases, the matter will be referred directly to the President and, if necessary, to legal counsel.

Immigration Enforcement on Campus

While we do not anticipate immigration enforcement on campus, we are prepared should the situation arise. If you become aware of or encounter any immigration officers at Berkeley City College, please:

Inform any faculty, staff member or administrator who will immediately contact the Office of the President.
Notify Marina Security at the front desk. Marina personnel will prioritize the safety and rights of students and staff. Marina Security will not ask about, detain, or act against anyone based on their immigration status. Marina Security will not cooperate in immigration enforcement activities. State law generally prohibits California law enforcement agencies, including campus police and security departments, from engaging in immigration enforcement activities.
Refrain from engaging in any physical confrontation. If approached, you may calmly state: "I am not here to obstruct any lawful actions, but our college procedures and state law require that we first contact our college President."

Resources for Undocumented Students

We are here to support you and encourage you to access these available resources at Berkeley City College’s Undocumented Student Resource Center (UCRC). You can reach out to the UCRC directly with any questions at bcc-ucrc@peralta.edu

Make an appointment to meet with one of our mental health counselors: Referral Form
Red Cards- The Immigrant Legal Resource Center offers free Red Cards, which provide quick, user-friendly reminders for asserting your rights and protecting yourself in various situations, including interactions with immigration officers. Once you click on the link, scroll down to find your preferred language. Red cards are also available at the Welcome Desk on the 1st floor of Berkeley City College.
Legal Support: If you have questions or concerns about immigration matters, we encourage you to seek free legal advice. You can access dedicated services through the Find Your Ally Legal Services Appointment Portal: Legal Services Appointment Portal.

At Berkeley City College, we are deeply committed to fostering a community that values every individual. Please know that no matter your immigration status, you are an important part of our college family, and we will continue to work to support your safety, rights, and success. If you feel that you could be subject to an immigration order or inquiry, reach out to Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Stacey Shears. She can be reached directly at sshears@peralta.edu.

Warmly,

Dr. Denise Richardson

College President

Chancellor's Message: Your Financial Aid Is Secure

Tammeil Gilkerson — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:41:15 GMT

On Monday, January 27th, the President of the United States issued an executive order to "pause" some federal assistance programs, raising concerns that student financial aid programs might be impacted. We have confirmed that this executive order does NOT impact your financial aid award or status.

If you have applied for and received notice of a financial aid award, we will make sure you get that aid.

If you have not yet applied for financial aid, I encourage you to apply now by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available here:

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

We understand the importance of financial aid in supporting your academic success. If you have questions about the status of your financial aid award or need help applying, please contact the financial aid offices at our colleges.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson
Chancellor, Peralta Community College District

Trendlines Focus: The Learning Resources Center and Adult Education

Tom Rizza — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 18:10:39 GMT

Berkeley City College's Learning Resource Center: A Hub for Academic Growth and Success

Berkeley City College’s Learning Resource Center (LRC) serves as a space for tutoring and academic support for students, as well as a study space and group work. This inclusive and collaborative work environment is fostered by coordinators John Saenz and Camille Verbara and their team of tutors.

ɫ��ֱ�� Students Win Global Animation Award

Tom Rizza — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 20:55:03 GMT

Congratulations to the Berkeley City College Multimedia Arts students for earning second place in the global VIVE Mars “Best Horror Shot!” film competition for their spooky short “Night of the Living Dodo.”

From the Halls of ɫ��ֱ�� to City Hall

Tom Rizza — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 20:48:13 GMT

On Friday, December 6, Berkeley City College hosted the swearing in ceremony for newly elected Berkeley city officials, two of which are Berkeley City College alums.

Trendlines - Berkeley City College's Data Newsletter

Tom Rizza — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 23:58:23 GMT

November 2024 | ISSUE NO. 04