From Polarization to Pluralism: Julio Frenk’s Blueprint for a Safer, Freer UCLA

JUDJ-Prepared Summary from September 25, 2025 | Can America’s Universities Survive the Current Assault? A Conversation with UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.

In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk—a physician, global health leader, former president of the University of Miami, and Mexico’s former health secretary—spoke candidly about one of the most pressing issues facing his institution: the federal suspension of hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding. The purpose of the conversation was to explore how UCLA is defending academic freedom, retaining top talent, and addressing allegations of antisemitism while ensuring its research mission remains intact.

When Research Funding Becomes a Flashpoint

Following federal investigations into allegations of antisemitism and other civil rights violations at UCLA, the Department of Justice moved to suspend roughly $600 million across 800 research grants, alongside a proposed fine of more than $1 billion. While a judge has since issued a temporary injunction restoring the funding, Frenk described the broader situation as unprecedented. For a campus that thrives on government partnerships, the uncertainty has put world-class faculty and life-saving research at risk.

“Suspending funds for lifesaving and life-transforming research does nothing to address antisemitism,” Frenk said, noting that such cuts may even worsen divisions by fueling resentment or unfairly blaming Jewish colleagues whose research is also impacted.

A Four-Track Response

To stabilize the university, Frenk outlined a four-track strategy:

Litigation – While UCLA did not initiate the first lawsuit, faculty plaintiffs successfully won a temporary injunction restoring grant funding. More legal avenues remain possible.
Negotiation – University leaders are in ongoing dialogue with federal authorities, demonstrating concrete actions to combat antisemitism while arguing that cutting research is the wrong remedy.
Mitigation – UCLA has provided bridge funding grant-by-grant, ensuring researchers can continue their work and are not lured away by competitors. Frenk emphasized the catastrophic long-term damage if top talent departs.
Communication – From meetings with principal investigators to public forums, Frenk underscored the importance of transparency, reassuring both faculty and the public that the university is acting with urgency and integrity.

Defending Academic Freedom

Beyond funding, Frenk stressed that federal demands must not cross three non-negotiable red lines:

Who UCLA hires (faculty and staff)
Who UCLA admits (students)
What UCLA teaches and researches

These, he argued, are the pillars of academic freedom, and any erosion of them threatens the university’s character. While UCLA will comply with California’s Proposition 209 and the recent Supreme Court ruling restricting the use of race in admissions, Frenk said the institution will continue to pursue lawful outreach in diverse communities and to model respect for the rule of law.

Sensitive Fronts: Healthcare and Inclusion

Frenk also addressed other contested areas:

Transgender care – UCLA Health has stopped surgeries for minors but continues appropriate hormonal care, while awaiting further federal guidance.
Diversity efforts – UCLA is reviewing policies to ensure compliance with new restrictions, while affirming its commitment to fairness, opportunity, and inclusion.

Even as political winds shift, Frenk emphasized that UCLA’s guiding principle will be legal compliance paired with moral clarity.

Retaining Talent, Preserving Leadership

For Frenk, the stakes go beyond budgets. American universities dominate global rankings today in part because they attract talent from around the world. “Generational harm” could result if researchers leave due to instability, he warned, citing growing competition from China and other countries. UCLA’s proactive bridge funding, he said, has so far prevented any major departures.

Looking Ahead

While the injunction provides relief, the fight is far from over. UCLA must continue to demonstrate seriousness in combating antisemitism while insisting that research partnerships remain untouched by political disputes. Frenk’s four-track plan aims to buy time, preserve morale, and keep science moving forward while larger negotiations unfold.

“Suspending research doesn’t solve antisemitism,” Frenk reiterated. “We can and will go further in fighting antisemitism—but we must also preserve the lifeline of research that saves lives.”

About America at a Crossroads

Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.