After Harvard University refused to comply with a series of demands from the Trump administration aimed at combating anti-Semitism on campus, the administration froze $2.26 billion in federal grants and contracts.
Harvard University's rejection marks it as the first university to directly refuse to abide by the administration’s demands. The Trump administration's task force on combating anti-Semitism promptly issued a statement announcing the suspension of the multi-year $2.26 billion in grants to Harvard and the freezing of $60 million in government contracts.
Forcing the School to End Diversity and Inclusion Policies
Recently, the Trump administration, citing the need to combat campus anti-Semitism, has introduced new policies to various top-tier universities. This includes a recent letter sent to Harvard University, demanding the cancellation of diversity policy initiatives and the screening of international students to determine whether they support terrorism, anti-Semitism, or oppose the “American values and systems embodied in the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.”
These new policies require Harvard to reform its governance, recruitment, and admissions procedures, close its offices of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and cooperate with immigration authorities to scrutinize international students. However, Harvard University has clearly stated its refusal to comply and emphasized that it will not allow federal intervention in academic operations or relinquish its independence or constitutional rights.
Harvard President Rejects Government Intervention in Academic Environment
Harvard University President Lawrence Bacow vowed to counter the government in a letter to students and faculty on Monday, asserting that the school would not “negotiate its independence or constitutional rights.”
Bacow argued that no matter which party is in power, the government should not dictate what private universities can teach, who they can admit and hire, or what research and inquiry fields they can pursue. Despite the government’s series of demands ostensibly aimed at combating anti-Semitism, most of these demands only seek to interfere with Harvard’s academic environment.
In another response letter, Harvard University's appointed lawyer stated that the university has already taken measures to combat anti-Semitism and is willing to engage in dialogue about actions already taken and planned to improve the experience of every community member. However, Harvard will not agree to demands that exceed this or any administration’s lawful authority.