The Trump administration has taken a formidable stance against what it terms antisemitism at the University of California, Los Angeles, demanding a $1 billion settlement. The news, first reported by anonymous White House official on Friday, comes just after UCLA's acknowledgment of federal grant funds being frozen – a substantial sum totaling $584 million that puts its research mission in jeopardy.
A statement obtained by AP News from University of California President James B. Milliken underscored the gravity of the request, indicating that such a payment would "completely devastate our country's greatest public university system." Milliken also voiced the institution's willingness to engage in discussions with the Department of Justice to find a solution that upholds UCLA's commitment to its research. This position echoes concerns raised by UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk in a letter to the university, reported by CNN, about the suspension's "devastating" consequences.
According to a draft agreement obtained by CNN, the proposed settlement would entail not just the billion-dollar payment but also a $172 million fund for individuals affected by breaches of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The document stipulates significant operational changes for the university, which involve appointing a resolution monitor and a senior administrator for compliance with anti-discrimination laws, revising policies on protests, and specific guidelines on housing and athletic recognition for women.
This approach reflects an administration-wide thrust to address what it perceives as civil rights violations in higher education — UCLA being the first public university caught in the crosshairs. As reported by ABC7, these actions follow close on the heels of UCLA reaching a $6 million settlement over a lawsuit linked to claims that it permitted the blocking of Jewish students during on-campus protests. The weight of this billion-dollar settlement request is underscored by similar, although less financially drastic, agreements already reached by Brown and Columbia Universities over comparable allegations.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed staunch opposition to yielding to such federal pressures. "We're not Brown, we're not Columbia, and I'm not going to be governor if we act like that," Newsom told the Los Angeles Times, signaling a readiness for a political showdown over the fate of the state's public universities and their autonomy in the face of federal demands.
