Dear Colleague,
By now everyone has received the Chancellor’s Message (see the email below) regarding the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) investigation into possible civil rights violations by the CSU.
It is our understanding the University has been required to release the contact information of all current and former CSULA employees, and the University has complied with this legal demand.
This may result in some unknown number of Unit 4 employees being contacted as part of the EEOC’s investigation, but it is possible the scope of the investigation could expand to other campuses.
Therefore, there is a chance the University may be compelled to release additional contact information.
We are engaging with our union partners on how to address this unprecedented release of employee information, and the potential compelled cooperation of represented employees by outside investigators.
So, at present it seems Unit 4 employees are not entitled to Union representation since these are not, on their face, disciplinary meetings.
Therefore, employees who are contacted can inquire if the interview is mandatory. Depending on the response the employee might be able to decline the interview, but if cooperation is being compelled, the employee can request Union representation.
It is unclear if,
1) EEOC investigators, in lieu of CSU investigators, can compel participation;
2) if employees are entitled to representation during interviews with third parties, but asking questions and requesting representation might help clarify the situation for those affected.
The LR Team and Executive Board will provide more information as it becomes available but know all the CSU unions are working to address this emerging problem. We have also engaged outside legal counsel to guide us through this unprecedented situation.
In Union,
Dagoberto Argueta
APC President
Chancellor’s Message
From: Chancellor Mildred García <csu-chancellor@calstate.edu>
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2025 3:00 PM
To: All CSU Employees all-csu-employees@lists.calstate.edu
Subject: Important Update from Chancellor García
September 26, 2025
Dear CSU Community,
I am writing to make you aware of two significant federal actions impacting California State University.
First, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has initiated a systemwide antisemitism complaint against the CSU. To this end, the EEOC has begun direct outreach to some faculty and staff members across the system to review allegations of antisemitism and to speak with them about their experiences on campus.
Second, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has notified the CSU – along with hundreds of other universities across the country – of alleged 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. Until 2024, the CSU participated in the PhD Project to share faculty job postings on their job board and increase awareness of career opportunities at CSU campuses. However – consistent with the policy the CSU strictly follows in all cases – no student or applicant for CSU employment was given any preferential treatment based on race, national origin or any other protected characteristic.
I want to emphasize several important points.
The CSU is – and has always been – committed to operating within all applicable state and federal law, and we will cooperate fully with both federal actions.
Similarly, the CSU is – and always has been – committed to maintaining a welcoming and non-discriminatory living, learning and working environment for all students, faculty and staff, as well as our campus guests. In strict accordance with our mission, the CSU does not discriminate against or give preference to any individual or group based on race, ethnicity, nationality, shared ancestry, religion or any other protected status. This includes our hiring practices: The CSU is firmly committed to hiring the most qualified individuals based on experience and expertise alone, ensuring that no one is included, excluded, advantaged or disadvantaged because of a protected characteristic.
Additionally, it is important to note that the CSU’s programs and services are open to all – we are an inclusive institution, not an exclusive one. That is in our DNA.
These guiding principles and core values lie not only at our very foundation, they permeate every level of the CSU. We expect and demand that administrators, faculty and staff across the CSU system uphold them, and we will continue to take prompt action to address any conduct that violates them.
I know this news may be unsettling – and that is understandable. Please be assured that we are responding appropriately. And – perhaps most importantly – please know with absolute certainty that we will continue to advance the CSU’s mission through these and any challenges we face, just as we have throughout our 64-year history. We, in partnership with our faculty and staff, will remain focused on our North Star – the success of our students.
On this, and as your chancellor, you have my word.
We will keep you updated on these matters through both systemwide and campus communications.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students and your steadfast dedication to the California State University.
Warmly,
Mildred García, Ed.D.
Chancellor