California Can Change Name of UC Hastings Law School, For Now

A California trial judge tentatively allowed the state to change the name of UC Hastings College of the Law under legislation created in response to founder Serranus C. Hastings’ involvement in mass killings of Native Americans.

Judge Richard B. Ulmer of the San Francisco Superior Court on Friday issued a tentative order denying a preliminary injunction bid by descendants of the school founder who oppose legislation that would rename the school following an investigation that concluded Hastings had perpetrated genocidal acts against Native Californians.

The decision comes about three months after the group, including school alumni and Hastings descendants, sued ...