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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.