More than 360 Jewish professors and staff at the University of California, Los Angeles have signed an open letter condemning a Trump-administration proposal that would force the university to pay a $1 billion civil-rights penalty to settle allegations of campus antisemitism. The faculty group argues the demand is “misguided and punitive,” saying it exploits antisemitism to advance political goals while doing nothing to improve safety for Jewish students. The Justice Department has also frozen $584 million in federally funded research projects at UCLA and is seeking another $172 million for a claims fund as part of the draft settlement, according to people briefed on the talks. University leaders have called the proposal unacceptable but remain in negotiations; Governor Gavin Newsom has signaled the state may sue to block the measure. Critics warn that acquiescing could set a precedent for federal oversight of academic institutions nationwide.