“There can be no clearer attack on academic freedom than an attempt to dictate curricular content, research priorities, hiring decisions, and admissions standards,” the statement read. “This represents one of the gravest threats to the University of California in our 157-year history,” Milliken wrote. “Losses of significant research and other federal funding would devastate UC and inflict real, long-term harm on our students, our faculty and staff, our patients, and all Californians. He warned that cuts would mean fewer classes and services, reduced health care access, job losses, and faculty departures. Governor Gavin Newsom has also issued sharp warnings, calling Trump’s proposed “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” radical and dangerous.