Regents hear repeated calls to enforce protest rules and bolster antisemitism response at UCLA

Dozens of faculty, students and staff told the University of California Board of Regents on March ___ that the system must more consistently enforce time, place and manner rules and expand protections for Jewish students and faculty following protests and encampments since Oct. 7, 2023.

Why it matters: Speakers said unresolved violations of protest rules have created a hostile climate for Jewish members of the UC community and threatened teaching and research. Regents and President Drake said the system has reviewed policies and received $25,000,000 from the state to support campus-climate work, but public commenters said enforcement and supports must continue.

Multiple faculty and staff described being intimidated or blocked from campus spaces during demonstrations. Oleg Leizer, a professor who said he serves in a Jewish faculty group, described being diverted from his usual parking spot and left shaken, and urged the Regents to “start enforcing the law until someone gets hurt.” Deborah, a UCLA lecturer representing the Jewish Faculty Resilience Group, praised Chancellor Frank’s efforts to hold encampments and disruptive actions accountable and asked the Regents to support those enforcement efforts.

Other faculty members said publicly posted restrictions on demonstrations were ignored without consequence. “On March 11, despite signs in [the] quad indicating demonstrations were not permitted there, a demonstration took place without any consequences,” said Lika, a professor of epidemiology, who called for consistent penalties when rules are violated.

Speakers representing the Jewish Faculty Resilience Group and allied organizations asked the Regents to distinguish antisemitism from protected political speech when behavior crosses into harassment, and to protect campus safety. Amanda Kozak, a pediatrician and JFRG member, said false accusations and inflammatory rhetoric “isolate Jewish and Israeli individuals and foster discrimination.” Several commenters tied campus safety concerns to broader research funding risks for campuses.

President Drake told the Regents in the meeting’s opening remarks that the Office of the President and campuses have reviewed response protocols and “made comprehensive changes to ensure a consistent systemwide response.” He said the state recently released $25,000,000 that had been withheld to support campus-climate work and that addressing antisemitism remains ongoing.

Speakers urged specific actions: clearer enforcement of existing time, place and manner rules, transparent reporting of violations and outcomes, and additional supports for Jewish students and staff. Some also asked for expanded programming to foster dialogue; faculty members said dialogue efforts funded by the Office of the President list few future programs and need “truly impartial leadership.”

The public comment period occupied a large portion of the open session. Chair Riley and President Drake did not announce new discipline policies at the meeting; comments will be referred to appropriate staff as the Regents continue agenda items later in the day.