UCLA doctoral student sues UC system over pro-Palestinian protest discipline
A UCLA computer-science PhD candidate has filed a lawsuit against the University of California, alleging viewpoint discrimination and due-process violations stemming from a lengthy disciplinary process tied to pro-Palestinian protests.
UCLA doctoral student Dylan Kupsh has sued the UC Board of Regents, two UCLA student-conduct officials and a campus police captain, asserting that the university’s handling of his case violated his free-speech rights and procedural due-process. The lawsuit stems from a series of 14 citations issued between August 2024 and June 2025 for actions such as blocking pathways and defying orders during five demonstrations, of which all but two were later dismissed by three-member panels.
Despite the dismissals, the university placed Kupsh on a 291-day interim suspension in June 2025 and has kept his master’s degree in computer science from being awarded for over 600 days, preventing him from resuming his doctorate. The complaint alleges that he was not provided with the evidence used to justify the suspension and that campus police and administrators pressured for “firm and immediate action.” Represented by attorneys including Thomas B. Harvey, Kupsh seeks the reversal of the suspension, reinstatement of his degree, unspecified damages and attorney fees.
Why it matters
The case highlights how universities handle protest-related discipline and raises questions about free-speech protections on campus.
In this story
