CSU Federal Updates

The CSU remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting its students and employees, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community, consistent with CSU values and California law. 

The CSU will continue to uphold its commitment to its Civil Rights mission: “To foster and sustain a welcoming and nurturing campus environment where all community members are safe, supported, and empowered. A university system whose diverse community of students, faculty, and staff are able to thrive, free from discrimination and harassment in all their dimensions. 
The CSU and our universities are committed to our responsibilities under the CSU Nondiscrimination Policy, Title IX, and state and federal law to protect against and respond to all forms of discrimination or harassment in the CSU’s educational programs and activities

​The CSU understands that ​there may be uncertainty about the changes announced at the federal level and how those might impact financial aid. We are closely monitoring developments related to the Department of Education. We remain committed to helping our students receive the aid they rely on. 

The CSU continues to comply with longstanding applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws and CSU policies and does not discriminate or provide preferences on the basis of race, sex, color, gender, age, religion, disability, military status, ethnicity or national origin. CSU remains committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment that is open to all. CSU respects the diverse opinions and viewpoints of our students, staff and faculty. 

Federal grant funding is vital to the CSU’s teaching and research mission, which addresses some of society’s most urgent challenges in health care, agriculture, water, fire prevention and cybersecurity.

The NIH’s drastic reduction in reimbursement for previously agreed upon administrative costs will leave the CSU’s 23 universities with millions in unfunded expenses, jeopardizing critical research and support systems needed for program success. This decision threatens not only groundbreaking research but also the future of student innovation and scientific progress. 

The CSU is monitoring the situation, working with campuses, and will continue to provide assistance to all students in need. CSU students are asked to work with the International Student Services office at their university. The CSU is committed to the well-being and success of all our students and celebrates the rich diversity of backgrounds and perspectives that our international students contribute to the CSU. 

The CSU is deeply committed to ensuring that academic opportunities are available to all students, regardless of immigration status. Core to the CSU mission is providing a space where all students feel welcomed and safe as they pursue their education. The CSU will do everything we can to support our undocumented community. 

CSU condemns in the strongest terms all forms of hatred, bigotry, and violence – including the horrific acts that have been occurring throughout our country and the world. Antisemitism, Islamophobia, hatred and bigotry in all forms have no place at the CSU.  

Speech calling for the genocide of Jews, Muslims, or any other community member or group is abhorrent and morally repugnant, and contrary to the values and ethics of the CSU. Such speech can create a hostile environment that can interfere with a student’s right to access and feel safe in their education programs or an employee’s right to access and feel safe in the workplace. Hostile environment harassment is prohibited by CSU regulations and policy.  

The University can and will take action to support its community members who are intimidated, distressed or feel unsafe because of offensive speech.  

• The CSU will respond to offensive speech or acts that create a hostile environment when they occur in our university communities, whether that involves taking appropriate disciplinary action and/or supportive and preventive actions [described below]. CSU responds to all allegations of discriminatory harassment involving speech and will always act as appropriate to the circumstances. 
  

• Student or employee discipline can take a variety of forms depending on the severity of the conduct, up to and including expulsion or termination, or even potential criminal action when circumstances warrant.  
  

• Additionally, a variety of supportive and immediate remedies and measures will also be provided to those impacted including, among other things, housing, parking, safety, mental health, and/or academic services and accommodations, as well as ongoing assessment of the community environment, implementation of crisis intervention plans, activities to prevent or reduce prejudice and conflict, collaboration with law enforcement, and fostering ongoing dialog and inquiry for the expression of differing perspectives with earnest, informed and civil debate.  
  

• Freedom of expression is not an absolute right. It coexists with other rights and the need for public order and safety.  

• Terrorist threats, the promotion of actual or imminent physical violence or bodily harm, and illegal discrimination or harassment are not speech protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, other laws, or CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy.  

• All members of the campus community should recognize that the manner in which they choose to express themselves has consequences and that freedom of expression includes a responsibility to acknowledge and respect the right of others to express differing opinions.  
  

• Conduct that violates our Nondiscrimination Policy, including statements that constitute discrimination, harassment, sexual Harassment, retaliation or stalking, is not protected by academic freedom or freedom of expression.  
  

• “Balancing our commitments to academic freedom and free speech and denouncing hate and untruth is often difficult, and lines of demarcation can be unclear. But the vile and deplorable acts of hatred, antisemitism and Islamophobia occurring on college campuses across the country in response to the ongoing and tragic events in Israel and the Gaza Strip are clearly and entirely antithetical to the CSU’s core values. We condemn them in the strongest terms.” CSU Chancellor​ Mildred Garcia.