UC campuses face new protest regulations from President Drake

Michael Drake, president of the University of California, issued a letter mandating the 10 campuses to enforce regulations on protests, including a ban on encampments and restrictions on obstructing movement. This directive follows significant protests that highlighted the need for clearer communication and uniform application of existing policies. Campus leaders are expected to present these policies on their websites and enforce them consistently by the start of the school year. Concerns have been raised by student leaders regarding the lack of student input on these regulations, particularly those related to masking, which do not accommodate health or religious exemptions. The enforcement of these rules is seen as crucial for maintaining public safety, especially after incidents where protests led to significant disruptions and allegations of exclusion based on religious beliefs. The UC system is also facing legal scrutiny regarding its handling of protests that have raised issues of religious freedom, particularly concerning Jewish students at UCLA. The university's leadership is now tasked with ensuring compliance with legal standards while managing the complexities of a diverse student body and the challenges of enforcing policies across multiple campuses.