Harvard University, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world, has taken a firm stand against the Trump administration's demands to dismantle its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and to screen international students for ideological concerns.
This defiance puts the university's nearly $9 billion in federal funding in jeopardy.
According to CNBC, Harvard President Alan Garber penned a note to the university community, stating, "No government regardless of which party is in power should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue." Garber's statement comes in response to a list of demands sent by the Trump administration as part of its review of the university's federal funding.
The administration's demands include the elimination of DEI programs and the screening of international students for alleged support of terrorism, antisemitism, and hostility towards "the American values and institutions inscribed in the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence." Garber noted, "Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating antisemitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the 'intellectual conditions' at Harvard."
In a post on X, the university declared, "The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government." This statement underscores the university's commitment to academic freedom and its resistance to governmental overreach.
Garber also highlighted the importance of federal funding to the university, stating that it has led to "groundbreaking innovations across a wide range of medical, engineering, and scientific fields." He warned that without this funding, the nation's "health and well-being," "economic security," and "vitality" could be at risk.
In a separate letter, Harvard's legal team stated that the university has taken steps to combat antisemitism and remains open to dialogue about improving the experience of every community member. However, they asserted, "Harvard is not prepared to agree to demands that go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration."
Among the lawyers representing Harvard is Robert Hur, the Department of Justice special counsel who investigated former President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents, and William Burck, an outside ethics advisor for the Trump Organization.
The Trump administration's focus on colleges and universities as part of its nationwide crackdown on DEI programs has been evident since President Trump regained office in January. Earlier this year, the administration cut $400 million in funding for Columbia University over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests. While Columbia University acquiesced to many of the White House's demands, Harvard University remains steadfast in its refusal to comply with demands it deems as overstepping the government's authority.
The White House's recent actions also include halting more than $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell University and roughly $790 million for Northwestern University. As the Trump administration continues to scrutinize DEI programs, the future of federal funding for these institutions remains uncertain.
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