Federal Judge Dismisses Psychologist J.D. Haltigan's DEI Lawsuit Against UC Santa Cruz for Lack of Standing

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by developmental psychologist Dr. J.D. Haltigan against the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) and its officials, challenging the institution's mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements for faculty applicants. The ruling, issued by Judge Edward J. Davila of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, found that Dr. Haltigan lacked standing to bring the claim, as he had not formally applied for the specific tenure-track position in question.

Dr. Haltigan, formerly an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, initiated the lawsuit in May 2023. He alleged that UCSC's requirement for a DEI statement, which he described as "a thinly veiled attempt to ensure dogmatic conformity throughout the university system," violated his First Amendment rights, specifically concerning compelled speech and viewpoint discrimination. His public statements often reflect a critical stance on contemporary diversity initiatives.

The lawsuit specifically targeted a tenure-track psychology position posted by UCSC in July 2022. Dr. Haltigan, who advocates for "colorblind inclusivity, viewpoint diversity, and merit-based evaluation," contended that UCSC's DEI rubrics would implicitly penalize his views, making his application futile. These rubrics reportedly score candidates lower if they express skepticism about the efficacy or necessity of certain outreach or affinity groups for underrepresented individuals. His perspective is encapsulated in a recent social media post:

"Compensatory racism & grievance collecting sells well to progressive neurotic White guilt," stated J.D. Haltigan, PhD, on social media.

Despite the dismissal on procedural grounds, Dr. Haltigan's attorney, Wilson Freeman of the Pacific Legal Foundation, indicated that they are evaluating further legal options, including amending the complaint or filing an appeal. The case highlights a growing national debate over DEI mandates in higher education, with critics arguing they can lead to viewpoint discrimination and compromise academic freedom. Dr. Haltigan continues to voice his perspectives on these issues through platforms like his Substack and appearances on prominent podcasts.

The university, through a spokesperson, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, reaffirming its commitment to hiring employees who foster academic excellence and support a diverse student body. This legal challenge underscores the ongoing tension between institutional diversity goals and concerns over ideological conformity within academic hiring processes across the United States.