Harvard President Urges Universities to Stand Firm Against Trump

As the White House moves to cancel its remaining federal contracts with Harvard University, the Ivy League college's president, Alan Garber, has called on universities to double down on their commitments to knowledge and service. The decision to cut ties follows allegations of racial and anti-Semitic behavior on campus, which Harvard has vigorously pushed back against in the courts. Garber has expressed perplexity at the White House's actions, which he sees as targeting a cultural battle rather than addressing genuine concerns.

Key Takeaways:

• Harvard president Alan Garber has urged universities to stand firm against the White House's actions, calling for a redoubling of commitment to knowledge and service.
• The White House has instructed federal agencies to find alternative vendors for services previously handled by Harvard, citing allegations of racial and anti-Semitic behavior on campus.
• The move is in addition to $2.65 billion in recent federal cuts to Harvard and follows Trump's bid to stop international students from attending the university.
• Harvard has made significant progress in addressing concerns over viewpoint diversity on campus and has pushed back against government demands to hand over foreign students' conduct records.
• Garber questioned the motivations behind the White House's actions, suggesting that they are driven by a cultural battle rather than addressing genuine concerns.
• Harvard has about 6,800 foreign students from 100 different countries, making up about a quarter of its student population.
• The decision has sparked international fallout, with officials from Belgium, China, and Australia expressing concern for students caught in the crossfire.

Statistics:

• The White House's planned move would cancel federal contracts worth about $100 million with Harvard University.
• Harvard has refused government demands to hand over foreign students' entire conduct records.
• The university has made "substantial progress" on campus over the past year in addressing concerns over viewpoint diversity.
• Harvard has about 6,800 foreign students from 100 different countries, making up about a quarter of its student population.
• The university has pushed back against government demands in the courts, filing two lawsuits last month to restore $3 billion in federal funding and its right to enroll international students.

Sources:

• "Harvard President Urges Colleges to Stand Against Trump" by The Daily Beast.
• A letter from the U.S. General Services Administration, dated May 27.
• NPR's Morning Edition program.
• Harvard University's website.
• "Belgium's Princess Elisabeth Delights in Harvard" by The Daily Beast.