The US Department of Education has frozen over $2 billion in federal funding for Harvard University after the school refused President Trump’s demands for changes to its diversity policies. Harvard President Alan Garber stated that the demands threatened the university’s independence and values. The conflict stems from federal scrutiny over alleged antisemitism on campus, with the administration accusing Harvard of not upholding civil rights obligations tied to federal funding.
The demands from the Trump administration included hiring and admitting students based solely on merit, eliminating racial preferences, and auditing faculty and students for viewpoint diversity. Harvard and Columbia University, whose funding has also been partially suspended, are challenging the administration’s actions in court. To offset the financial impact, Harvard is seeking to borrow $750 million from private markets.
Despite facing financial pressure, Garber vowed to protect the university’s constitutional rights and resist government interference in academic affairs. The administration’s crackdown on universities involved in protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in frozen funding, deportation proceedings, and visa cancellations for hundreds of students. This escalating clash highlights the tension between academic freedom, government oversight, and the role of universities in shaping discourse and values.
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