UCLA Chancellor Criticizes Law School's Sept. 11 Symposium

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block has publicly criticized the UCLA School of Law for its decision to host a symposium on the 15th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The symposium, which took place on September 9, 2026, featured discussions on the legal and policy implications of the attacks. Chancellor Block stated in a September 11, 2026, email to the law school's dean, Rachel Moran, that he was "profoundly disappointed" by the event's timing and focus, particularly its potential to be perceived as insensitive to the victims and their families. He emphasized that the university's primary responsibility is to foster an environment of respect and remembrance, especially on significant anniversaries.

The chancellor's criticism highlights a broader debate surrounding how academic institutions commemorate sensitive historical events. While the law school maintained that the symposium was intended to foster critical discussion and understanding of a pivotal moment in U.S. history, Chancellor Block argued that the chosen date and the nature of the discussions did not adequately reflect the gravity and solemnity required. He suggested that alternative dates or a different framing of the event might have been more appropriate. The UCLA School of Law has a history of hosting symposia on significant legal and societal issues, often inviting prominent scholars and legal experts to participate. However, this particular event drew significant attention due to the sensitive nature of the anniversary.

Chancellor Block's concerns were echoed by some members of the university community, who expressed similar reservations about the appropriateness of the symposium's timing. Conversely, supporters of the event, including some faculty and students within the law school, defended the symposium as an important academic exercise. They argued that engaging in critical analysis of the events of September 11th, including their legal ramifications and policy responses, is a core function of a university. They believed that avoiding such discussions due to the anniversary's sensitivity would be a disservice to intellectual inquiry. The debate underscores the challenges universities face in balancing academic freedom with the need for sensitivity and respect in public discourse, particularly concerning events that have caused widespread trauma and grief.

In his email, Chancellor Block urged Dean Moran to review the law school's policies and procedures for planning events of this nature to ensure future commemorations are handled with the utmost care and consideration. He stressed the importance of consulting with a wider range of stakeholders, including those who might be directly affected by such events, before proceeding with controversial or sensitive programming. The chancellor's intervention signals a high level of scrutiny from the university's central administration regarding the law school's public programming and its alignment with the university's broader values. The incident has prompted discussions within the UCLA administration about establishing clearer guidelines for commemorating sensitive historical events on campus, aiming to prevent similar controversies in the future and to ensure that all university-sponsored events are conducted in a manner that is both academically rigorous and deeply respectful.