Santa Clara University announced funding to support a partnership aimed at assisting Latinx students and reducing inequity, demonstrating a commitment to community support and social justice.

A civil rights complaint was filed against Santa Clara University, alleging its support for the Black Corporate Board Readiness program constitutes racial discrimination in violation of Title VI. The program, intended to boost Black representation in corporate leadership, has become a flashpoint in politically charged debates over affirmative action, with members of the university's Black Student Union decrying the complaint as rooted in white supremacist sentiment.

Santa Clara University held a collective bargaining session on April 25, 2024, where proposals regarding discipline, discharge, compensation, and contract duration were discussed as part of ongoing negotiations with the Faculty Bargaining Team. The process appears to support union recognition and worker rights.

On April 25, 2024, Santa Clara University reached a tentative agreement in its collective bargaining session. The negotiations addressed proposals concerning discipline and discharge, compensation, and contract duration, and notably included measures for committee service and enhanced support for underrepresented students. This outcome signals a commitment to progressive labor practices and inclusivity.

The OpenSecrets profile provides historical data on Santa Clara University's lobbying activities, noting that the university has not reported lobbying on specific bills in 2024. This transparency, while informative, does not indicate a proactive or aggressive push towards authoritarian policies, presenting a neutral stance in terms of political engagement.

Santa Clara University's Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center offers free legal services and clinics to low-income workers facing unfair labor practices, including wrongful termination, unpaid wages, harassment, and discrimination.

Santa Clara University law professor David L. Sloss published an opinion piece calling for landmark legislation that would require U.S.-based social media platforms to register users and bar agents of authoritarian states from using the platforms. The proposal aims to restrict authoritarian influence, curb the weaponization of social media, and thereby strengthen democratic governance.

Santa Clara University published a case study examining the integration of surveillance technologies in smart cities, highlighting ethical concerns and questioning the role of private companies in deploying these systems. The case study discusses how cities are using internet-connected light poles equipped with microphones, automated license plate readers, and private security camera footage to support law enforcement efforts, and it invites debate on whether to contract for systems that aggregate such data.