Sharjah24 - AFP: Harvard, a prestigious US university, was faced with a $2.2 billion government funding block Monday after turning down a set of broad requests the White House claimed were meant to combat anti-Semitism on campus.
Harvard faces pressure for governance changes
The call for changes to Harvard's governance, hiring practices, and admissions procedures follows a directive received on April 3, which mandated officials to shut down diversity offices and cooperate with immigration authorities for screenings of international students.
Defiance from Harvard leadership
Harvard President Alan Garber expressed his commitment to resisting government pressure in a letter to students and faculty, stating that the university would not "negotiate over its independence or its constitutional rights."
Government response to Harvard's stance
In response, Trump’s Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announced a $2.2 billion hold on multi-year grants and a freeze on $60 million in government contracts. The statement criticized Harvard for fostering an entitlement mindset, asserting that federal funding comes with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws.
Campus unrest and Anti-Semitism concerns
Last year, campuses nationwide were affected by student protests against Israel's war in Gaza, leading to violent clashes. Trump and other Republicans accused activists of supporting Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. The Department of Education has opened an investigation into 60 colleges for alleged "anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination."
Federal funding under review
Garber's letter coincided with the administration's review of $9 billion in federal funding to Harvard and its affiliates. The government recently sent Harvard a detailed list demanding an "audit" of the views of students and faculty, which the university publicly released.
Financial context and institutional independence
Harvard reported an operating surplus of $45 million against a revenue base of $6.5 billion in the last financial year. Garber stated that while the university is "open to new information and different perspectives," it would not comply with demands that exceed lawful authority.
Calls for defunding from lawmakers
Top Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, recognized by Trump for her vigorous questioning of universities regarding anti-Semitism, has called for Harvard to be defunded, labeling it as "the epitome of the moral and academic rot in higher education." She accused the university of tolerating "raging anti-Semitism."
Contrast with Columbia University
Harvard's response differs sharply from Columbia University's approach during last year's pro-Palestinian protests, where the Trump administration cut $400 million in grants, citing the university's failure to protect Jewish students. In contrast, Columbia agreed to reform student disciplinary procedures and increased its security team.
Targeting protest organisers
In addition to funding cuts, immigration officers have focused on two organizers of the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia. Mahmoud Khalil is facing deportation, while Mohsen Mahdawi was arrested during a citizenship interview.
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