The administration of US President Donald Trump has begun investigating the issue of anti-Semitism at Harvard University. This process could deprive the university of up to $9 billion in federal funding.
On Monday, the US Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the General Services Administration announced they would review federal contracts and grants allocated to Harvard University and its affiliates. This work is being conducted as part of a joint task force aimed at combating anti-Semitism.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized that Harvard's inability to protect students from discrimination based on anti-Semitism puts the university's reputation at serious risk. Therefore, the government is considering suspending cooperation with the relevant contracting agencies.
The investigation includes $256 million in contracts and $8.7 billion in multi-year grant commitments. Its goal is to ensure the university's compliance with federal regulations and to protect civil rights.
Harvard's response measures and pressure on higher education
Trump and the Republican Party have sharply criticized higher education institutions in the US. They are discussing measures such as investigating anti-Semitism and taxing university endowments, criticizing the "woke ideology" in universities.
Harvard University has implemented a series of measures to combat anti-Semitism. The university formed a special task force, reached an agreement on student complaints related to anti-Semitism allegations, dismissed the leadership of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, and canceled cooperation with Birzeit University. It also committed to publishing an annual report on combating discrimination and harassment.
Pressure on elite higher education institutions is increasing. Federal grants of $400 million allocated to Columbia University were suspended in March. This decision was made following demands for the university administration to change its measures in response to student protests. Funding of $175 million allocated to the University of Pennsylvania was also suspended, which may be related to the university allowing transgender athletes to participate in women's competitions.
Harvard University's financial situation
The Harvard endowment is estimated to be over $50 billion. The university emphasizes that these funds are intended to provide financial aid to students. At the beginning of this month, Harvard announced it would expand support measures for students, offering free undergraduate education for children from families earning $100,000 or less per year.
Several dozen professors from Harvard Law School have sharply criticized the Trump administration's pressure on universities and measures against law firms. They believe these actions could threaten the rule of law. This situation could have serious consequences for Harvard and other universities.
