Trump government pursuing a $1 billion compensation deal with UCLA
The Trump administration has proposed a $1 billion settlement with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to resolve allegations of antisemitism and violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The settlement includes UCLA paying $1 billion in installments to the federal government and establishing a $172 million claims fund for alleged victims of discrimination.
The proposal comes after the Department of Justice claimed that UCLA violated the Equal Protection Clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, leading to the freezing of approximately $584 million in federal grants to the university. The allegations centre around allowing antisemitic and biased conditions, such as permitting a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus.
UCLA officials have returned to the negotiating table to reach a deal to restore the frozen funding. However, they have expressed concerns that such a significant financial penalty would devastate UCLA and the broader University of California system, which plays a key role in lifesaving research and national security. Julio Frenk, the chancellor of UCLA, warned in a letter to the university community about the "devastating" consequences to its research mission due to the funding freeze.
UC President James Milliken stated that the university is reviewing the proposal and expressed willingness to engage in good-faith dialogue with the Department of Justice. California Governor Gavin Newsom voiced opposition to the Trump administration’s demands, supporting UCLA and the UC system in resisting what he described as unfair sanctions.
If accepted, the agreement would be the biggest settlement the administration has received from a higher education institution. It would also address violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and require a new senior administrator focused on compliance with anti-discrimination laws. The agreement also proposes a resolution monitor to oversee UCLA.
However, the agreement does not indicate whether the funding freeze will be lifted as part of the settlement. CNN has reached out to the UC System for comment regarding the $1 billion settlement and funding freeze at UCLA. The agreement does not specify the timeline for the payment installments, and the negotiations are currently ongoing.
The White House’s move is part of an effort to shape higher education and extract significant concessions from universities. If accepted, the agreement would have implications for UCLA’s research mission and overall operations. The proposed agreement sent to UCLA requires a $1 billion payment over multiple installments and includes a $172 million claims fund for people impacted by Title VII violations.
- The $1 billion settlement proposal from the Trump administration, if accepted, would mark the biggest settlement the administration has received from a higher education institution, addressing violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and requiring a new senior administrator focused on compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
- The proposed agreement also includes a $172 million claims fund for people impacted by Title VII violations, a resolution monitor to oversee UCLA, and a significant financial penalty to be paid by UCLA, which could have devastating consequences for its research mission and overall operations.
- Meanwhile, the general news is abuzz with the ongoing negotiations between the UC system and the Department of Justice, as California Governor Gavin Newsom, UC President James Milliken, and UCLA officials voice concerns and opposition to the Trump administration’s demands, viewing the proposed policy and legislation as unfair sanctions that could hinder education-and-self-development, research, and national security.
