Change Peralta College Spring 2020 Grades to A’s for All!

As all of you are aware, we are in the midst of a very uncertain and unprecedented time in our history. Since the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the monumental impact it is having on every individual in our community, many are worrying about meeting their most basic needs such as food, income, housing, and family care. 

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Peralta Community college, previously made the decision to move all courses online. However, this decision has done far more to hinder student success than to support it. Students are now facing the reality of this pandemic in very severe ways, including unemployment (which, for many, leaves them in uncertain times), lack of resources (such as a computer and internet access in order to fulfill coursework), and incompatibilities with digital learning. 

Given these strenuous circumstances, it is not reasonable to expect students to continue to produce the same quality of academic work when they are now stressing mid-semester about where to live, how to stay safe, how to secure income, and how to create an environment which will allow them the space required to focus on their studies. We have all been impacted by COVID-19 to varying degrees, and now is the time to lighten each other's loads as much as we possibly can. We are also advocating for our professors and faculty that are being affected and continue to teach remotely during this pandemic.

We need a change during these changing times. There is no telling what students are being faced with under lockdown, in homes where they have no choice but to remain in, if in homes at all. Not to mention the psychological impact the lockdown has had on almost everyone, which has seen increased amounts of stress and mental strain. Faced with the threat of illness under lockdown is perhaps the worst time for any student to be worrying about making grades.

We advocate for the Triple-A model, inspired by UC Berkeley student petitioners. Here is what that looks like: the first 30% of the class receives at A+, the middle 30% an A, the bottom 30% an A-, and the last 10 percent B+. This will promote the health of students, as well as encourage a commitment to academic coursework for the remainder of the semester.

We also gather our voices for students to receive a refund on classes that students can no longer continue. Recognizing that some students may be forced to withdraw due to the emergency, Oakley signed an executive order that suspends state and local regulations to ensure students are not penalized academically and will more easily be able to receive refunds for enrollment fees.

As well as the remaining percentage (50%) of Semester 2020 parking pass fees.     We validate the financial loss this may create in the district, but students will be able to better fund their basic needs and can continue to take classes at Peralta college.

 
Give Peralta homeless students easy access to resources and advocate for housing. We ask that Peralta continues to help disabled students and provide accommodations needed. 

We ask for teachers to be flexible and to not penalize students for not attending classes during regular class hours. 
Give students time to make up work, or be credited for the work missed due to lack of technology. We are not asking for the semester to be extended.

We call on you to meet our demands and continue to support Peralta Students. 

California Community Colleges Chancellor, Eloy Ortiz Oakley, Peralta College Chancellor, Stanback Stroud, and Board Trustees Bill Withrow, Meredith Brown, Lincanda Handy, Nick González Yuen, Cynthis Napoli-Abella Reiss, Karen Weinstein, Julina Bonilla, including student Trustees Romina Contreras and Dowell Standley. 

Peralta Presidents, Dr. Timothy Karas of Alameda, Dr. Rowena Tomaneng of Berkeley, Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson of Laney, and Dr. David M. Johnson of Merritt College.

Peralta Vice Presidents, Dr. Tina Vasconcellos of Alameda, Stacey Shears of Berkeley, Vicki Ferguson of Laney, and Dr. Lilia Chavez of Merritt College. 

Peralta Directors of Student Activities and Campus Life, Aja Butler of Alameda, John Nguyen of Berkeley, Gary Albury of Laney, and Doris Hankins of Merritt College. 

All student government and student leaders, including student body presidents Terrance Williams, Spencer Staggers-Elmore, Max Frincke and Ysreal Quezon.

Peralta Vice Presidents of Instruction, Dr. Don Miller of Alameda, Kuni Hay of Berkeley, Dr. Rudy Besikof of Laney, and Dr. David M. Johnson at Merritt College.

We want to thank California State University East Bay for supporting us during this pandemic and inspiring us to start our own petition.

We want to recognize The Poor Peoples’ Campaign, Laney Chapter, which is made up of students, faculty, and community members for working together on this petition and continuing their support in advocacy for the well-being of Peralta Students. 

studentsperalta@gmail.com is the best way to get in contact with us