Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. They’re asking the judge to block the decision to rescind more than $2 billion in federal grants. This lawsuit addresses the first of many demands from the administration. These demands have pressed Harvard to change its governance, hiring, and admissions policies, alongside following through on other far-reaching requirements that jeopardize the institution’s autonomy.
The lawsuit highlights the administration’s controversial requirements, which include reporting foreign students and green card holders for “conduct violations,” auditing departments for antisemitism by an external party, and ending diversity programs. Additionally, the administration has stood firm on requiring sweeping changes to Harvard’s student discipline procedures.
Harvard President Alan Garber underscored the importance of that lawsuit. He explained that the university chose to contest these demands because they endanger its autonomy in research and teaching. He went on to claim that what the federal government is doing has “absolutely nothing to do with antisemitism.” He considers these actions an inappropriate expansion of executive power.
Allow the Government to micromanage your academic institution or jeopardize the institution’s ability to pursue medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and innovative solutions, President Garber remarked.
The lawsuit claims the administration’s actions have infringed upon First Amendment rights and violated Title VI compliance procedures. It makes the case for why taxpayer dollars should be treated as a privilege. Sadly, Harvard has not been able to do the bare minimum required to receive those funds.
To make matters worse, the Trump administration has withdrawn over $2 billion in federal assistance from Harvard already. Today, they are looking at $1 billion more in cuts on top of that. The Education Department is auditing nearly $9 billion in grants and contracts connected to the university. Second, they’re looking closely at how these funds are being distributed and spent.
Harrison Fields, a spokesperson for the White House, criticized Harvard’s position, stating, “The gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars from struggling American families is coming to an end.”
Harvard’s lawsuit highlights the especially harmful effects this proposed rule would have on mixed-status families and members of our university community. President Garber noted that “These actions have stark real-life consequences for patients, students, faculty, staff, researchers, and the standing of American higher education in the world.”
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