Dear colleagues:

On July 31, 2025, the Trump administration suspended federal research grants to UCLA scholars totaling over $300 million. The UCLA Faculty Association (UCLA FA) has put together an open letter protesting these cuts and demanding the UC Office of the President immediately challenge the Trump administration in court and collaborate with Governor Newsom and the California state legislature to supplement this shortfall. The UCLA FA has further asked that the university administration explore using a portion of the over $5 billion in unrestricted endowment funds to help keep our university’s mission intact.

Although the first round of these cuts is directly targeting UCLA, we know that multiple other UC campuses received warning letters about future cuts last spring. The entire UC system is under threat from these kinds of cuts and political intimidation.

Only strength, independence, and a clear statement of the values we cherish can save our institutions and ensure the teaching, groundbreaking research, and public service of the highest quality that the UC provides to the state of California. CUCFA joins our colleagues at UCLA and across the UC system in encouraging all UC faculty, staff, students, alums, and community members to sign this letter asking the UC to stand up for our values.

If you are not a member of your local Faculty Association, this is the time to join.

In solidarity,
The Council of UC Faculty Associations