Harvard is standing firm on its principles amid US government concerns about anti-Semitism.
Harvard University President Alan Garber has stated that the institution will uphold its “core, legally protected principles,” despite the potential suspension of grants by the US Department of Education. In a letter released on Monday, Garber referenced a “strategy to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry.”
Last week, Education Department Secretary Linda McMahon, in a post on X, accused Harvard of “serious failures” related to anti-Semitism, racial discrimination, academic standards, and diversity of viewpoints. She asserted that “Harvard University has made a mockery of this country’s higher education system,” and that it “should no longer seek” federal funding because “none will be provided.”
The Trump administration is reportedly reviewing nearly $9 billion in federal funding for Harvard, following significant pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus. The White House previously requested changes to governance, hiring practices, admissions policies, and the elimination of all DEI programs at Harvard, in a letter they later deemed “unauthorized.”
The university has resisted these demands, alleging that the White House is attempting to “control” its campus. Harvard has filed a lawsuit in response to the suspension of approximately $2.3 billion in funding, while reiterating its dedication to addressing discrimination internally.
In his Monday letter, Garber argued that Harvard’s reform efforts were being “undermined and threatened by the federal government’s overreach into the constitutional freedoms of private universities and its continuing disregard of Harvard’s compliance with the law.” He also stated that the university is pursuing necessary reforms in accordance with its values and legal obligations.
“But Harvard will not surrender its core, legally-protected principles out of fear of unfounded retaliation by the federal government,” Garber affirmed.
Garber also refuted claims of bias, stating that he had found no evidence to suggest that international students are “more prone to disruption, violence, or other misconduct” than their domestic counterparts.