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The California Faculty Association and other campus unions have reached a settlement with the California State University system over the release of private employee information, closing a lawsuit that exposed fault lines between federal investigations and worker privacy across the nation’s largest public university system.

The agreement stems from events last fall, when Cal State LA turned over private employee data to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before unions or workers had the opportunity to contest or respond to the federal order.

A Settlement That Reaches Beyond One Campus

The CFA and CSU private information lawsuit settlement applies not only to Cal State LA, but to all 23 campuses and every CSU employee statewide.

Under the terms, CSU must notify employees “as soon as reasonably practical before complying” with any future subpoenas tied to the EEOC’s investigation into alleged antisemitism on CSU campuses, according to a statement released by the CFA.

While Cal State LA remains the only campus to have received a direct EEOC subpoena, antisemitism complaints are active at 21 other CSU campuses. The status of any systemwide EEOC investigation has not been disclosed.

Legal Backbone: A 1977 Privacy Law

The settlement is anchored in the California Information Practices Act of 1977, which defines personal information broadly as data that “identifies or describes an individual.”

That definition includes names, Social Security numbers, physical descriptions, home addresses and phone numbers, as well as education, financial records, medical histories, employment records and statements attributed to individuals.

To union leaders, the law served as a shield — one they argued had been lowered too quickly when Cal State LA complied with the subpoena.

Unions Involved, Voices Quiet

In addition to the CFA, the lawsuit included the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Workers of America Local 4123, which represents more than 10,000 CSU teaching associates, graduate assistants and instructional student assistants.

Teamsters Local 2010 joined the case after the initial filing in October 2025. Neither union responded to requests for comment following the settlement.

CSU Response: Cooperation Without Courtroom Combat

The CSU did not answer direct questions from The University Times, but issued a public statement welcoming the resolution.

The system said it was “pleased to have worked closely with the CFA to resolve litigation without further court involvement.”

“This agreement reinforces the CSU’s longstanding commitment to employee privacy, transparency and compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including lawful subpoenas,” the statement said.

Broader Reach: Education Department Subpoenas Included

The settlement’s notice requirements also extend to subpoenas issued by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, including those tied to an investigation into the PhD Project — a nonprofit aimed at diversifying business education and the corporate workforce.

The CSU and the PhD Project are under investigation for alleged racial discrimination related to their past interactions. CSU ended its relationship with the organization in 2024, according to earlier reporting by The University Times.

Injunction Sought, But Settlement Prevailed

Originally, the CFA sought a preliminary injunction to stop CSU from complying with additional EEOC subpoenas. The court did not rule on that request before the parties reached an agreement on Jan. 16.

“This ends our lawsuit against the CSU regarding this matter,” the CFA said. “But we continue to demand that the CSU administration protect its workers and their academic freedom, as well as fulfill its commitment to equity.”

Union leaders said further statements may follow.

How the Dispute Began

The EEOC investigation into Cal State LA began early last year after three employees reported antisemitism, according to prior reporting. The probe followed spring 2024 pro-Palestinian protests and an encampment on campus — part of a nationwide movement criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza after the October 2023 Hamas attack.

In September 2025, the EEOC requested private information for all workers — including student employees — dating back to Oct. 7, 2023. The request covered former students who had graduated and employees no longer affiliated with Cal State LA.

Those individuals were not notified in advance, nor given sufficient time to redact personal data before it was sent to the EEOC, The University Times reported in December.

After the Fact Notifications

The lawsuit was filed in mid-October, weeks after Cal State LA had already complied with the federal subpoena.

Only after the information was released were faculty, student workers and staff notified. At the time, campus spokesperson Erik Hollins said the university had been required to act “immediately,” leaving no time to alert employees beforehand.

Earlier, in summer 2025, the EEOC had accessed publicly available employee information such as work phone numbers and email addresses. While CSU withheld home addresses, private phone numbers and email addresses were ultimately shared.

A Line Drawn in the Data

The CFA and CSU private information lawsuit settlement now draws a clearer boundary: federal subpoenas may still arrive, but employees will no longer be left in the dark.

Like a fire alarm installed after the blaze, the agreement aims to ensure warning comes before compliance — not after the damage is done.