The United States government planned to withdraw another$ 1 billion in federal grants and health research contracts from Harvard University, escalating conflict over institutional autonomy, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The administration announced last Monday its decision to suspend$ 2. 2 billion in multi-year offers and$ 60 million in lease value after Harvard’s refusal to comply with coverage requirements.
Officers were caught off guard when the school disclosed a notice from the Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, according to the Journal’s Sunday statement.
” Before Monday, the presidency was planning to address Harvard more favorably than Columbia University, but presently officials want to use even more stress to the world’s most prominent school, according to the people,” the Journal reports.
” Individuals familiar with Harvard’s answer say there was no arrangement to keep the text secret, and that its contents – including demands that Harvard allow federal-government oversight of admittance, hiring and the philosophy of students and staff – were a nonstarter. “
Columbia University yielded to administration needs last month by implementing policy alterations, including protest restrictions, new disciplinary procedures, and an immediate assessment of Middle East reports, following President Donald Trump’s removal of$ 400 million in federal funding over college demonstrations.
According to the Journal’s Sunday report, sources close to the situation indicated the task force anticipated Harvard would similarly comply with its requirements.
The funding withdrawal threat represents the latest development in the ongoing dispute between the institution and the government.
Harvard, now representing resistance to Trump’s policies, firmly declined the demands in an April 11 letter, with President Alan M. Garber stating that the” University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. “
The letter’s demands included prohibiting masks at campus demonstrations, revising merit-based recruitment and admissions processes, and reducing authority of staff “more committed to activism than scholarship. “
The university leadership maintains these requirements exceed federal authority, with most “represent direct governmental regulation of the’intellectual conditions’ at Harvard” rather than addressing antisemitism.
On Wednesday, CNN reported the internal revenue service’s plans to withdraw the university’s tax-exempt status, according to two informed sources. The administration additionally threatened Harvard’s authorisation to enrol international students.
The New York Times reported on Friday that the April 11 letter was sent erroneously and was “unauthorized,” citing two anonymous sources familiar with the situation.
A White House representative, while not addressing the error claim, confirmed the letter’s authenticity to CNN on Saturday, stating the White House” stands by the letter. “
Harvard informed CNN it accepted the letter’s authenticity, noting the administration’s existing freeze on billions in federal funding.
