Students vocally oppose U.S. administration's intended policies on Harvard campus. - Harvard Students Demonstrate Against Proposed U.S. Government Policies
Harvard University Protests Against funding Cuts by the U.S. Government
Harvard University students have taken to the streets in protest, expressing concerns over potential government funding cuts that could impact their education and research.
Alice Goyer, a protest participant, told AFP that she feels responsible for standing up for her "international friends and peers, professors, and researchers" who are "at risk or threatened with deportation or the option to transfer to another university."
The U.S. government has indicated it will direct federal agencies to terminate existing contracts with Harvard, potentially resulting in a loss of over $100 million in federal funds, equivalent to around €88 million. A high-ranking official chose to remain anonymous but confirmed that a letter would be sent to federal agencies, instructing them to identify all contracts with Harvard and assess their termination.
President Trump, through his Truth Social platform, has expressed his intention to strip the university of a total of $3 billion and redistribute the funds to trade schools nationwide. His administration has already significantly reduced Harvard's multi-year federal subsidies, amounting to over $1.9 billion.
The disputes between the government and Harvard extend beyond funding matters. Trump has labeled the university an "antisemitic, left-wing institution," citing pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus and Harvard's refusal to comply with government demands, such as the elimination of diversity programs and the vetting of its students. The administration has previously barred Harvard from accepting new international students, making up around 27% of its population. Although a federal judge temporarily lifted this ban, its future remains uncertain as the case proceeds to a hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House spokesperson, has escalated the criticism of Harvard, arguing that public funds should be channeled towards vocational schools instead of the elite university. Leavitt believes this would align with the president's goal of ensuring that taxpayer money supports institutions promoting "American values" and fosters the development of necessary skills in the economy and society.
Background Information:The Trump administration's decision to cut federal funds to Harvard is motivated by accusations of discriminatory practices in hiring and admissions, concerns over the handling of antisemitism on campus, and critique of the university's perceived lack of alignment with national values and priorities. The cuts could lead to the loss of significant federal grants, impacting research in areas like health, science, and national security and potentially straining Harvard's finances. Additionally, the government's stance on international students threatens to reduce diversity within the university and may impact its global reputation. Harvard has filed a lawsuit, contending that the funding cuts violate federal law and the university's First Amendment rights. The lawsuit aims to vacate and set aside the termination of grants.
- The Harvard students' protests against potential funding cuts encompass concerns not only for their education and research but also for international friends, professors, and researchers who may face deportation or transfer due to the US government's plans.
- In the realm of politics, President Trump has declared his intention to remove $3 billion in federal funding from Harvard and redistribute it to trade schools, citing various reasons including allegations of discriminatory practices and a perceived divergence from national values.
- The cut in federal funds for Harvard, amounting to over $1.9 billion, is part of a broader picture of policy-and-legislation involving education-and-self-development, war-and-conflicts, and policy-and-legislation.
- As students continue to protest in Harvard, the future of the university's finances, research, and global reputation hangs in the balance, clouded by ongoing disputes and legal proceedings between the university and the US government.
