Updated on Sept. 27 2025 at 11.21 p.m.: To include statements from the CSU Chancellor, the California Faculty Association and additional article updates.
Editorial note: The University Times and its staff are university student employees and it’s unclear if they’re a part of this subpoena, but no matter what we will continue to accurately and objectively report on the privacy concerns that this subpoena brings to the college.
The California State University system is being investigated by the Trump Administration due to alleged antisemitism following the Gaza Solidarity Encampments in May 2024, the probe has sparked concerns of privacy violations following a federal subpoena request of private faculty phone numbers and emails at Cal State LA.
“This subpoena raises serious concerns about our members’ privacy,” said California Faculty Association (CFA) President Margarita Berta-Avila in a systemwide email, also obtained by the University Times. “CFA is demanding a copy of the subpoena and asking that CSULA not comply with the subpoena until CFA has had a chance to review it and formulate a response.”
It is currently unclear if any other CSU campuses are facing similar subpoenas from the federal government.
This investigation was first reported by the Los Angeles Times.
In addition the federal subpoena served by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at Cal State LA, they also filed an antisemitism “complaint” against all 22 CSU campuses, according to an email from CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia on Friday Sept 26, that the University Times got a copy of.
Cal State LA had initially provided the EEOC, with publicly available faculty contact information, however the EEOC is now “requiring, through a federal subpoena, that the University produce personal phone numbers and email addresses for all employees,” according to an email sent to Cal State LA faculty on Friday.
The University Times has not obtained a copy of the federal subpoena.
Cal State LA was one of several CSU campuses that were a part of the Gaza Solidarity Encampments that sprouted up after Israel’s bombardment of Gaza following the Hamas terror attacks on Oct. 7 2023.
The encampment was disbanded at Cal State LA after the protests turned violent and protesters blockaded and damaged the Student Services Building on campus, trapping administrators and the school president inside.
Garcia said that the EEOC has already begun to directly reach out to individual CSU faculty and staff members “to review allegations of antisemitism and to speak with them about their experiences on campus.”
The CFA also told members that if contacted by federal authorities in regards to the systemwide, or Cal State LA investigation “you do not need to speak to them immediately.” And to ask for their information, and to get back to the authorities only after having a “chance to consult with your union or legal counsel.”
The University Times is unclear on if any of those faculty and staff that have been contacted are at the Cal State LA campus.
The Trump Administration also initiated EEOC investigations against the entire University of California system and their 10 campuses, that include similar allegations of antisemitism and violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Further, the CSU and hundreds of other colleges across the U.S. are facing another investigation initiated by the federal Department of Education Office of Civil Rights for racial discrimination “due to interactions with the PhD Project, a private non-profit organization with the goal of diversifying business education and the corporate workforce,” according to the CSU wide email shared on Sept. 26.
This story will continually be updated as more details come in.
Are you concerned about your privacy on campus, or have other concerns? Please reach out to us at [email protected].
