As universities prepare for students to return, tensions are higher than ever at one California campus. On Aug. 13, U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi ordered that the University of California, Los Angeles, must allow equal access on campus to Jewish students after three Jewish students sued the university. This ruling sets a precedent for courts to side with students against administrations that allow protests to impede learning and safety on campus.  

The students in question sued the university after being blocked from entering their classes by pro-Palestinian protests last spring. The university argued that it was not its responsibility to interfere since the obstruction was caused by third-party protesters, but Scarsi disagreed. Although this is not the final say on the case, this is a significant ruling, as it is the first time a court has ruled against a university regarding Gaza war protests.