The University of California, Los Angeles made an announcement on Tuesday regarding the resolution of a discrimination lawsuit filed by Jewish students and a faculty member, agreeing to a payment exceeding $6 million.

The individuals who initiated the lawsuit in June 2024, alleged the university did not respond adequately when pro-Palestinian demonstrators established encampments the previous spring. They argued that these protest zones were off-limits to Jewish students, describing them as “Jew exclusion zones.” Although UCLA maintained its innocence, it opted for a complete settlement, which includes $50,000 for each plaintiff and $2.33 million in contributions to groups opposing antisemitism.

“We are satisfied with the settlement’s provisions. The injunction and other terms agreed upon by UCLA signify genuine advancement in battling antisemitism,” both parties stated collectively.

As part of the settlement, UCLA committed to ensuring that Jewish students and faculty could participate in all programs and access all campus areas. The eight organizations designated to receive donations include Hillel at UCLA, the Academic Engagement Network, and the Anti-Defamation League, according to the settlement details. Additionally, the university announced it will invest $320,000 in its Initiative to Combat Antisemitism, as highlighted in a press statement regarding the settlement.

“Antisemitism, harassment, and intimidation contradict our principles and are unacceptable at the University of California,” stated UC Board of Regents Chair Janet Reilly. “We acknowledge our past shortcomings and are dedicated to making improvements going forward.”

Yitzchok Frankel, a UCLA student and one of the plaintiffs, remarked that while he was initially disappointed by the university’s actions, the settlement marked a positive step forward.

“Today’s court judgment brings justice back to our campus and ensures Jews will be safe and be treated equally once again,” he said.

The settlement comes more than a year after students staged pro-Palestinian protests at universities across the country, with tent encampments established at many campuses. At UCLA, protesters called on the school to divest from companies that have ties to Israel with an encampment of their own in late April 2024. Counterprotesters attacked the encampment, leading to violent clashes. Police were eventually called and more than 200 people were arrested.

Months later, the school implemented a “zero tolerance” policy, banning encampments, masks that hide identities and any protests that block pathways.

Lawsuits have also been filed by Pro-Palestinian protestors and supporters as well. UCLA was hit with a lawsuit in October, accusing it of suppressing antiwar voices and ordering students and faculty protesters to be arrested unlawfully. The suit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, also accused the school of violating free speech rights. The case is still being litigated.

Columbia University last week said it will pay $200 million to the Trump administration to restore funding that had been cut over allegations it violated anti-discrimination laws. In March, the administration said it was canceling $400 million in grants to the Ivy League institution, accusing it of “inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”

Earlier this month, Barnard College in Manhattan, an all-women’s affiliate of Columbia University, also settled a lawsuit that accused the school of failing to sufficiently combat antisemitism on campus. Among the terms it had agreed to, the school said it would ban masks at protests and that it would refuse to meet or negotiate with a coalition of pro-Palestinian student groups.

The settlement immediately drew criticism from its students and faculty. Nara Milanich, a Barnard history professor who is Jewish, told CNN that the settlement appears to “equate criticism of Israel with antisemitism.”

“That is a problem for critical thought and academic freedom,” she said.