Harvard Students Demonstrate Against Proposed U.S. Government Policies - Students voice opposition at Harvard University over proposed U.S. government policies
Harvard University Faces Potential Loss of $3 Billion in Federal Funding
Students at Harvard University have taken to the streets in protest against the U.S. government's plans to terminate contracts with the institution, potentially leading to a loss of $100 million in federal funds.
Alice Goyer, one of the protesters, voiced her concerns to the AFP news agency, stating that she felt it was her responsibility to stand up for her international friends, peers, professors, and researchers who are "at risk and threatened with deportation - or have the option to transfer to another university."
The U.S. government announced on Tuesday that it would instruct all federal agencies to terminate existing contracts with Harvard. The high-ranking official who disclosed this information wished to remain anonymous.
The proposed cuts come following President Trump's comments on his Truth Social platform, in which he expressed a desire to withhold a total of $3 billion from the university and redistribute it to trade schools across the country. Trump has accused Harvard of being an "antisemitic, left-wing institution," citing protests on campus in support of Palestine since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.
Furthermore, the Trump administration has also barred Harvard from accepting new international students, who make up around 27% of the university's population. A federal judge granted Harvard's request to overturn this ban via an injunction on May 23, but it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will adhere to this decision.
In an interview with "Fox News," White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that federal funds should preferably be allocated to vocational schools instead of elite universities like Harvard. She added that President Trump is more interested in ensuring that taxpayer money is used for programs that promote "American values" and trains the next generation based on skills needed in the economy and society.
In response to the potential funding cuts, Harvard has announced that $250 million in central funding will be dedicated to supporting research affected by the federal funding freeze. However, the university recognizes that it cannot fully replace the lost federal funds and that significant financial constraints now face the research community.
Given the potential loss of funding and the ongoing conflicts with the Trump administration, Harvard has filed legal challenges, arguing that the government's actions violate federal law and the university's First Amendment rights. It remains to be seen whether these legal battles will be successful in preserving Harvard's financial stability.
- In response to President Trump's plans to withhold $3 billion in federal funding from Harvard University and redirect it to trade schools, a protest organized by students at Harvard took place, expressing concerns about the impact on international friends, peers, professors, and researchers who could be affected.
- As Harvard University faces the potential loss of $3 billion in federal funding and a possible $100 million reduction in federal funds, the administration has decided to allocate $250 million in central funding to support research affected by the funding freeze, acknowledging the financial constraints now facing the research community.
