UCLA has reached a settlement of over $6 million in response to complaints about discrimination against Jewish students during last year’s pro-Palestinian demonstrations. These protests reportedly created an environment where Jewish students and faculty were effectively barred from accessing key campus areas, including classrooms and the library.
The settlement, announced on Tuesday, resolves a lawsuit filed in June 2024 by two law students and an undergraduate. The suit claimed that UCLA permitted certain groups, including both students and outsiders, to establish pro-Palestinian encampments that imposed restrictions on Jewish students and faculty. Allegations included the university’s reinforcement of these zones through metal barriers and a failure to ensure safe passage for Jewish individuals on campus.
As part of the settlement terms, UCLA will compensate the plaintiffs with damages and direct $2.33 million to several organizations supporting Jewish communities. Additionally, a permanent court injunction has been put in place to prevent UCLA from facilitating any efforts to exclude Jewish students and faculty.
This agreement is regarded as one of the largest private settlements in an antisemitism case on college campuses, underscoring the serious nature of these allegations. In a joint statement about the settlement, all parties expressed satisfaction, emphasizing the importance of combating antisemitism. Janet Reilly, Chair of the UC Board of Regents, acknowledged the university’s shortcomings and echoed the commitment to foster a secure and inclusive environment for all students.
The settlement follows a sequence of events initiated by the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023, which ignited pro-Palestinian protests across numerous U.S. college campuses, including UCLA. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit narrated that the actions of the demonstrators included creating checkpoints and utilizing barriers, which many times forced Jewish students to either denounce Israel or be excluded from parts of the campus.
Legal representatives for the students indicated that UCLA’s administrative actions displayed a failure to uphold civil rights, as identified in their own Task Force report addressing antisemitism. Following the settlement, residents have noted that this may reflect a shift in how universities handle similar situations in the future, promoting a safer campus atmosphere for all students, regardless of their backgrounds.
The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles also welcomed the settlement, appreciating the university’s commitment to ensuring safety and combating antisemitism. They underscored the need for students to feel secure in their learning environments, free from harassment and intimidation.
This resolution indicates a step forward in addressing antisemitism in academic settings. With the 15-year agreement awaiting judicial approval, it represents a pivotal moment for UCLA and potentially sets a standard for other institutions facing similar challenges.