Faculty unions at the University of California have filed a lawsuit against the UC Board of Regents, demanding the release of a settlement proposal from the Trump administration. The administration is currently withholding approximately $500 million in research grants from UCLA over allegations of on-campus antisemitism, and the proposed settlement outlines the terms for releasing those funds.
Key Takeaways
- UC faculty unions are suing the UC Board of Regents to obtain a copy of a settlement letter from the Trump administration.
- The administration has frozen about $500 million in UCLA research funding, citing concerns over antisemitism.
- Media reports indicate the settlement includes a $1.2 billion fine and significant policy changes at UCLA.
- The faculty groups argue they need the document to understand and contest the proposed changes to their working conditions and university policies.
Legal Action Over Public Records
The UCLA faculty association and the Council of University of California Faculty Associations initiated legal action after the UC Regents denied a public records request for the administration's demand letter. The faculty groups assert that withholding the document infringes on their right to information as guaranteed by the California Constitution.
According to the lawsuit, the university system cannot expect faculty to mobilize against the federal government's demands without providing them with the specific details of those demands. The Regents have cited pending litigation and privacy laws as the basis for their refusal to release the letter.
Court Orders Regents to Justify Withholding Document
In response to the lawsuit, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Rebekah Evenson has directed the Board of Regents to present evidence. The regents must demonstrate how releasing the letter could cause damages and clarify whether other universities in similar negotiations have made such documents public. A hearing on this matter is anticipated in October.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict began in August when the Trump administration froze hundreds of UCLA research grants. Federal officials stated that universities, including UCLA, have been subjected to a "decades-long woke-capture." The release of the approximately $500 million is contingent on UCLA accepting a settlement agreement.
Details of the Proposed Settlement
While the official document remains undisclosed by the university, media outlets have reported on its contents. The proposed settlement is said to include a $1.2 billion fine, the largest financial penalty the Trump administration has sought from a university.
In addition to the fine, the proposal reportedly contains a series of non-monetary demands aimed at fundamentally altering university policies. Anna Markowitz, president of the UCLA faculty association’s executive board, emphasized the need for transparency.
"We feel this is essential for us to understand what our working conditions will be like over the next few years," Markowitz stated. "The devil is in the details, and understanding what the specific language is and what the specific requests are would give us a much better sense of to what level the federal government wants to be interfering with UC operations."
Reported Policy Demands
Based on news reports, the faculty unions believe the settlement includes requirements for UCLA to make sweeping changes. These reported demands cover a wide range of university functions:
- Healthcare: Prohibit healthcare providers at UCLA hospitals from offering certain gender-affirming care services.
- Student Life: Exclude transgender women from participating in athletics and from residing in "single sex housing."
- Academic Records: Rescind academic records and other recognitions previously awarded to transgender women.
- Financial Aid: Terminate scholarships based on race and ethnicity.
- Immigration: Notify the federal government of "disciplinary actions involving student visa holders."
A Broader Strategy Targeting Higher Education
The lawsuit filed by the faculty groups frames the situation at UCLA as part of a larger federal strategy. The suit alleges that the Trump administration is using the withholding of grant funds as leverage to impose its policy preferences on universities across the country.
The administration has announced ongoing investigations into alleged antisemitism at 60 universities nationwide, including UC Berkeley. As part of its probe, UC Berkeley recently provided the federal government with personal information for approximately 160 students and employees.
Faculty leaders argue that the demands made of UCLA could set a precedent for other institutions within the 10-campus UC system and beyond. They contend that the public has a right to know the full extent of the proposed changes, as they could impact the core mission and character of a public university system.
The Need for Full Transparency
Markowitz noted that the Regents' public statements have focused primarily on the $1.2 billion fine. However, she stressed that the non-monetary demands are equally, if not more, important for the public to understand.
"Whatever else they’re asking for is actually really important to the character and the mission of the UC and to the public of California," she said. "We want to know what other factors might be involved as our administration tries to figure out a path forward."
The faculty unions maintain that having the exact text of the settlement proposal is critical. It would allow them to analyze the specific language and identify clauses that could directly affect academic freedom, faculty governance, and student services, enabling a more informed and effective response.