UCLA’s Grants Face Suspension
The Trump administration has placed a freeze on numerous science, medical, and research grants at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), impacting hundreds of projects and totaling nearly $200 million, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Chancellor’s Response
UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk expressed concerns about the suspension in a letter sent on Thursday. He stated, “UCLA received a notice that the federal government, through its control of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other agencies, is suspending certain research funding to UCLA. This is not only a loss to the researchers who rely on critical grants. It is a loss for Americans across the nation whose work, health, and future depend on the groundbreaking work we do.”
Related Legal Developments
The announcement regarding the federal grant suspension coincides with UCLA’s recent decision to settle a $6 million lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that the university allowed pro-Palestinian protesters to obstruct Jewish students during demonstrations last year.
Department of Justice Findings
On Tuesday, the Trump administration revealed that the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division concluded that UCLA violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The DOJ stated that the university “acted with deliberate indifference in creating a hostile educational environment for Jewish and Israeli students.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the situation, saying, “This disgusting breach of civil rights against students will not stand: DOJ will force UCLA to pay a heavy price for putting Jewish Americans at risk and continue our ongoing investigations into other campuses in the UC system.”
Commitment to Combat Antisemitism
In his letter, Chancellor Frenk rejected the allegations of antisemitism raised by the DOJ. He affirmed, “We share the goal of eradicating antisemitism across society. Antisemitism has no place on our campus, nor does any form of discrimination. We recognize that we can improve, and I am committed to doing so.”
He emphasized that effectively confronting antisemitism requires careful thought, dedication, and ongoing effort. “UCLA has taken robust actions to make our campus a safe and welcoming environment for all students.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
