Bernardo took the stand Thursday. He said he found Klein’s email to be “callous,” and not reflective of the UCLA Anderson School of Management’s values. He also listed the “tumult” caused by Klein’s original email, a desire to support students’ interests and damage to the university’s reputation as motivations for placing Klein on academic leave.

Bernardo said the suspension was in line with the university’s code of conduct, adding that he does not believe he acted too quickly. He added that he believes his email to Anderson students characterizing Klein’s email as “troubling” was appropriate.