The University of California (UC) system sought to reiterate a policy Wednesday that bans student governments from boycotting specific countries, including Israel, amid the Trump administration’s investigation into the school and threats of pulled funding.
UC President Michael Drake sent a letter to his chancellors that said leaders on campuses, including student governments, cannot boycott specific nations.
“The right of individuals and groups to express their views on public matters is distinct from the responsibility of University entities to conduct their financial affairs in a manner consistent with University policy and applicable law,” Drake said.
“This letter reaffirms both: the rights of students, faculty, and staff to express their views, and the University’s obligation to ensure that its units do not engage in financial boycotts of companies associated with a particular country,” he added.
The letter came after President Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services said universities had to certify they would not engage in anti-Israel boycotts to be eligible for new grants.
UC is already at risk of losing millions of dollars of federal funding amid a probe by the federal government’s antisemitism task force.
Campuses across the UC system saw multiple pro-Palestinian encampments, with UC Los Angeles seeing one of the biggest clashes between protesters and police during the nationwide demonstrations.
“The University of California has once again affirmed its opposition to boycotts of companies associated with a particular country. While our community members have the right to express their viewpoints, financial boycotts are inconsistent with UC’s commitment to sound business practices, academic freedom and the free exchange of ideas,” a spokesperson for the university said. “The president’s letter to chancellors reinforces UC’s unwavering commitment to academic discourse, research, and innovation that improve the lives of Americans across the country.”
