After Harvard Rebukes White House, Peer Schools Follow Suit

Harvard’s decision to defy the Trump administration’s orders on Monday was quickly echoed by statements from peer schools, setting up the possibility that it will be the opening shot in a reinvigorated clash between elite universities and the White House.

On Tuesday, Columbia University — which had conceded to demands from the White House last month when hit with a $400 million funding cut — argued that just like Harvard, Columbia would not allow the Trump administration “to require us to relinquish our independence and autonomy.”

Columbia President Claire Shipman’s bold message was an about-face for the university whose acquiescence had been cast as a foil to Harvard’s defiance — and a sign that Garber’s approach is beginning to resonate among top-tier institutions.

Stanford University President Jonathan D. Levin and Provost Jenny S. Martinez also praised Harvard for rejecting the White House’s demands and committing itself to academic freedom.

“Harvard’s objections to the letter it received are rooted in the American tradition of liberty, a tradition essential to our country’s universities, and worth defending,” they wrote in a statement to The Stanford Daily.

“The way to bring about constructive change is not by destroying the nation’s capacity for scientific research, or through the government taking command of a private institution,” they added.

Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber called Garber’s message to Harvard affiliates Monday morning, in which he announced that Harvard would not comply with federal demands, “powerful.”

“Princeton stands with Harvard,” he wrote in a statement on LinkedIn.

—Staff writer Dhruv T. Patel can be reached at dhruv.patel@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @dhruvtkpatel.

—Staff writer Grace E. Yoon can be reached at grace.yoon@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X @graceunkyoon.