The College Fix

University of California President Michael Drake has sent a letter to leaders of the system’s 10 campuses informing them that student governments may not boycott countries in the wake of Trump administration guidance that says such stances may disqualify universities from federal funds.

Drake’s letter, sent last week, stated “boycotts of companies based on their association with a particular country” are a violation of the system’s policy, the Los Angeles Times reported.

“While UC does not have an anti-boycott rule on the books, Drake said that existing policies require competitive bidding for university contracts. Also, campus student governments must engage in ‘sound business practices’ that abide by UC legal requirements, which he said make clear that boycotts of nations are not allowed,” the newspaper reported.

According to the Associated Press, Drake did not mention Israel by name in his letter.

“He said that while freedom of speech and inquiry are core commitments of the university, its policies also require that financial decisions be grounded in sound business practices, such as competitive bidding,” AP reported.

“This principle also applies to student governments,” Drake wrote. “Actions by University entities to implement boycotts of companies based on their association with a particular country would not align with these sound business practices.”

However the ban does not apply to student clubs, “as their political affiliations and financial decisions are not representative of their respective campuses,” the Daily Bruin reported.

UC spokesperson Rachel Zaentz told various news outlets: “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.”

Drake’s letter comes roughly four months after the Justice Department launched an investigation into the University of California system over antisemitism allegations.

“The investigation will assess whether UC has engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, religion and national origin against its professors, staff and other employees by allowing an Antisemitic hostile work environment to exist on its campuses,” the department stated.

At UCLA, where some of the most virulent antisemitic protests have unfolded since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre of Israeli citizens, its student government passed a resolution in February 2024 endorsing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel.

“The resolution alleged that Israel is engaged in ‘apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and genocide,’ and called on the UC Board of Regents to divest from companies associated with Israeli weapons manufacturing,” the Daily Bruin reported.

“The council also previously amended its bylaws to freeze the transfer of funds into its endowment until the University divests from companies participating ‘in the violation of human rights.'”

But the resolution and bylaw change were proposed by a Cultural Affairs commissioner “who resigned in February amid allegations that their office deliberately avoided hiring Jewish staffers.”

MORE: Pro-Palestinian protesters take over UCLA building, flee when cops show up

IMAGE CAPTION & CREDIT: People wave Israeli flags / Steve Sanchez Photos, Shutterstock

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