A UCLA computer science doctoral student is pursuing legal action against the University of California, seeking to overturn his two-quarter suspension and secure the release of a master’s degree withheld for over 600 days. The case, filed last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, highlights the disciplinary fallout from the 2024 pro-Palestinian protests at UCLA, a period marked by campus tensions and national controversy.
Dylan Kupsh, 27, became a prominent figure during the protests, which arose amid demands for the UC system to divest from companies linked to the Israeli military operations in Gaza. While some Jewish students and faculty described the demonstrations as antisemitic, others supported or participated in the protests. Kupsh’s lawsuit alleges that the university’s actions against him involve viewpoint discrimination and violations of due process.
Kupsh’s disciplinary issues originated not from the high-profile spring 2024 campus encampment but from a series of smaller protests occurring between June 2024 and May 2025. He faced 14 citations related to blocking walkways, disrupting campus activities, and defying orders. Although Kupsh was arrested during a June 2024 demonstration, he was never criminally charged. University campus police had recommended disciplinary action, and an interim suspension barring him from campus for 291 days was imposed in June 2025 pending university proceedings.
According to the lawsuit, the suspension process lacked transparency, with Kupsh not informed of the evidence against him before the interim suspension was applied. UCLA policy allows for such suspensions once a conduct case is opened, without requiring a finding of wrongdoing. Over five hearings between June 2025 and May 2026, university disciplinary panels dismissed most allegations except two: failing to show student identification and obstructing a walking student. Kupsh denies being a protest organizer or engaging in any intentional blocking, and claims his punishment was motivated by his political beliefs rather than his actions.
Kupsh’s suspension, which lasts through December 11, has barred him from attending classes, teaching, and receiving pay. Additionally, UCLA has withheld conferral of his master’s degree submitted in December 2024, and university policy prevents him from resuming his doctoral studies without reapplication, threatening his academic progress after seven years of study. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and punitive measures against university officials and a campus police captain involved in the disciplinary process.
The protests at UCLA were part of a broader wave of campus demonstrations nationwide that prompted considerable controversy and legal scrutiny. A separate civil rights lawsuit related to blocking campus access was settled by the University of California for $6.45 million, and the Justice Department initiated investigations and lawsuits focused on allegations of antisemitism and free speech violations. In addition to federal pressure, the university has faced criticism from various groups. Some Jewish community organizations argue that UC’s disciplinary actions have been insufficient to address anti-Israel activism, while other faculty and student groups contend the university has used disciplinary measures to suppress pro-Palestinian expression.
UCLA officials involved in the disciplinary process have declined to comment on the pending litigation. Meanwhile, the protests have significantly diminished since 2024, in part due to stricter enforcement of campus rules governing demonstrations. The ongoing dispute underscores the challenging balance universities face between protecting free speech and maintaining campus order amid highly charged political debates.