California Faculty Sue CSU Over Personal Data Disclosure to Feds

UPDATE: The California Faculty Association has filed a lawsuit against the California State University (CSU) system after it revealed that the personal phone numbers and email addresses of 2,600 Los Angeles campus employees were handed over to the federal government. This disclosure, made in response to an investigation into antisemitism, raises serious concerns about employee privacy and accountability.

The lawsuit, filed last week, seeks an injunction to prevent CSU administrators from sharing any faculty personal information in response to federal subpoenas without notifying the affected individuals and allowing them to contest the release. The Trump administration had subpoenaed CSU Los Angeles as part of a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation into alleged antisemitism on campus, following incidents linked to student protests amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

“The CSU leadership is out of step with most Californians,” stated Margarita Berta-Ávila, President of the California Faculty Association and a professor at Sacramento State. “While California leads the fight against targeting and harassment, CSU capitulated to the Trump Administration’s witch hunt of faculty. We demand accountability and protection for our faculty and students.”

The federal inquiry into universities’ handling of antisemitism complaints has intensified since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel. CSU officials confirmed that Cal State LA, which previously hosted a Gaza Solidarity Encampment, received discrimination complaints in 2024, although the connection to the recent protests remains unclear.

In a statement released Thursday, CSU acknowledged the lawsuit, asserting that while it shares concerns regarding employee privacy, it is legally obligated to comply with federal law. “Refusal to comply may lead to federal enforcement and sanctions,” officials warned. They emphasized the need to balance legal compliance with the privacy rights of faculty members.

Under the subpoena, CSU Los Angeles was required to disclose sensitive employee data, including names, gender, race/ethnicity, position titles, and contact information. CSU stated that it attempted to limit the information shared, filing a petition to modify the subpoena to address privacy concerns and successfully excluding home addresses and detailed separation reasons.

This legal battle follows a similar incident at the University of California, where hundreds of faculty names were disclosed to the Trump administration as part of its investigation into antisemitism, inciting outrage and calls for the resignation of UC president James Milliken. In response to widespread criticism, California Governor Gavin Newsom has requested an independent review of the data release and indicated he may scrutinize CSU’s actions as well.

As tensions escalate surrounding issues of academic freedom and privacy, this lawsuit highlights the growing divide between educational institutions and federal authorities. The CSU system faces mounting pressure to uphold the rights of its faculty and protect sensitive personal information amid a politically charged environment.

What’s Next: Watch for updates on the lawsuit as CSU reviews the claims and prepares its defense against the faculty association. This case could set significant precedents regarding faculty privacy rights in the face of federal inquiries.