Harvard University announced Monday it will not comply with Donald Trump’s orders to cut DEI programs and expel students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations or risk losing federal grants.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration presents a list of demands to Harvard University officials describing how the institution can avoid having around $9 billion in federal grants and contracts canceled at the university and its affiliates, such as Mass General Brigham and Boston Children’s Hospital.
The demands include shuttering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, implement a mask ban at protests, expel students involved in pro-Palestinian protests and adopt merit-based admissions and hiring policies to end preferences based on race, color or national origin.
On Monday, university offcials say they will not be giving in to Trump’s demands.
“The administration’s prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government. It violates Harvard’s First Amendment rights and exceeds the statutory limits of the government’s authority under Title VI,” Harvard President Alan M. Garber wrote in an email.
“And it threatens our values as a private institution devoted to the pursuit, production and dissemination of knowledge. No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” Garber added.
The Trump administration has also threatened to pull funding from Columbia University, Brown University, Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania. Harvard is the first institution to push back.
Columbia caved and agreed to Trump’s demands. The decision has led to outrage from community members and the higher education community, according to The Associated Press.
Several Harvard alumni applauded the institution for defying Trump.
“I’m particularly proud right now to be a graduate of Harvard College. Thank you, President Garber,” wrote conservative attorney George Conway.
“Plenty of complaints about Harvard over the years, but a proud Harvard alum today,” wrote Bill Kristol.
