UC’s top leader warned Monday that the federal government’s fine was $1.2 billion, a “small” proposal for the UCLA remake “by comparison” compared to the full potential of a chance to break into the nation’s Prime Minister’s campus, hospitals and clinics.
“When we consider unprecedented actions to UCLA, it is important to remember that the federal government is also conducting investigations and actions at all stages of all 10 UC campuses,” UC President James B. Milliken said in a letter Monday. “So, while we focus first on direct actions involving UCLA, we must also consider the impact of the expanded federal action.”
“Investigations and Actions” range from Trump administration’s allegations of illegal use of racial use on campuses in Irving, Berkeley, Berkeley and San Francisco to civil rights complaints, brought by Jews and other community members on UCLA, Davis, Davis, San Diego and Santa Barbara campuses. There is also a scope investigation accusing the system of discriminating against Jews in hiring, retention and promotion.
“Imminent threats” could lead to further layoffs, budget cuts, federal grant moratoriums and cuts from the university in California’s second largest employer, Milliken said.
In an article published Monday by The Times, he posted his message detailing a 28-page settlement proposal that the government sent to UCLA last month. In addition to the fines, the Justice Department is also trying to conduct overhaul campus practices in recruitment, enrollment, sports, scholarships, discrimination and gender identity.
The UC has not agreed to the proposal, which represents the administration’s first volley as it attempts to overhaul many of UCLA’s policies and cultures to abide by President Trump’s conservative higher education agenda.
Students, faculty and campus unions are pushing UC to fight the Trump administration. Milliken’s Oakland office and governing committee are in talks with federal officials.
On Tuesday afternoon, a coalition of UC unions and faculty will protest to the University of California, San Francisco before the two-day Regent Committee meeting began, with the trustees convened publicly for the first time since the UCLA crisis began.
“No concessions. No votes. No cuts,” the material publicity rally.
UC leaders made it clear that they would not pay a $1.2 billion fine—called it was “destructive” to all UCs, but provided minimal public details on how they would respond to the administration’s August settlement recommendations. Leaders say privately that many Trump demanded violations of the university’s mission and values and demanded crossing the red line.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said he hopes the UCLA lawsuit, saying the proposed settlement against UCLA was “ransom” and “ransomware”, but the Regent decided whether to file a lawsuit.
UC Chairman James B. Milliken.
(University of Texas)
Milliken in his letter aims to assure the UC community: “Our priority now is to protect the agency – its resources, mission and values – for everyone we serve.” He said that despite this, the current challenge “is undoubtedly a difficult process for our community. The fact is that we are in unknown waters.”
UC community throughout the system and individuals in faculty and staff have asked UC to release the government’s complete settlement recommendations. As a public agency, UC requires that it share extensive information upon request under state law. However, it rejected a request from the Public Records to issue the proposal, citing awaiting a resolution and potential litigation matters.
A coalition of faculty association groups on 10 campuses, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), filed a court application Monday to force UC to share the proposal. The document accused the university of violating the California Public Records Act in state court in Alameda County.
“The closed-door negotiations make it impossible to know what the dangers are,” said Anna Markowitz of the UCLA College Association, president and associate professor of the School of Education and Information Studies. Her group is separated from the Academic Senate, an institution that formally represents all UCLA faculty.
“We need to know how a deal can harm the California economy, the academic achievement of people of color and students, the lives of trans and Californians, and our fundamental civil rights,” Mark Witz said. “We ask the university to share the requirements so that we can build public support and help the University of California master this federal attack.”
“As a public university, the University of California has a unique responsibility to the University of California, who benefit from research on earthquakes, wildfires, wildfires and housing crises through tax funding.
“Californians should know if their stake in UC is dangerous,” said McClanahan, an associate professor of English at UC Irving.
In response to filing, a UC official said the university was “fully committed to” transparency.
“We understand the anxiety and uncertainty of many in many communities,” said Meredith Turner, senior vice president of external relations at UC. “We are fully committed to being as transparent as possible about the faces we face, while also fulfiling our obligation to maintain the confidentiality of ongoing investigations and litigation with the federal government.”
“Our priorities at this moment are simple: We will work to protect the university’s ability to achieve its crucial mission, improving the lives of all through change, new discoveries, new discoveries, excellent health care and economic growth,” Turner said.
In his letter, Milliken said further major federal funding losses would “destroy the UC and cause real, long-term harm to our students, our faculty, our patients and all Californians.” He noted that the University of California receives $17 billion in revenue each year with the federal government, with $9.9 billion in Medicare and Medicaid funding, $5.7 billion in research and program support, and $1.7 billion in student financial aid.
“These risks funding supports doctors and nurses who care for millions of Californians each year, and researchers are working to find new treatments and make important technical discoveries, as well as financial assistance to make available to students from all backgrounds,” he wrote.
“The huge loss of this federal funding will be devastating to our mission and those who rely most on us. This means less courses and student services, less access to health care, thousands of unemployed jobs across the state and world-class faculty and staff, and research into other states or countries or countries or countries.”
