Politics
Trump Expands Race Data Disclosure Requirements, Putting Harvard Admissions Under Scrutiny Again
Harvard and all other American universities will now be required to submit data proving that they do not consider race in admissions, following a Thursday memorandum from President Donald Trump.
Trump Administration To Investigate Harvard’s Patents
The Trump administration on Friday launched an investigation into Harvard’s patents derived from federally funded research, threatening intellectual property potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Trump Admin Asks Judge To Dismiss Harvard’s Lawsuit Against Threats to International Students
Lawyers for the federal government on Friday moved to dismiss Harvard’s lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s attempts to prevent the University from hosting international students.
Harvard’s Accrediting Agency Proposes Removing DEI Standards, in Line With Trump Order
The nonprofit commission that determines whether Harvard receives accreditation proposed new standards earlier this month that removed references to diversity, equity, and inclusion — the latest shift away from DEI in higher education as the Trump administration pushes for its elimination.
Conservative Legal Group Backs Justice Dept. Investigation Into Harvard’s Admissions Policies
America First Legal Foundation, a conservative legal group founded by senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller, published a letter Wednesday backing a federal investigation into whether Harvard has failed to comply with a Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action.
DHS Says It Will Not Use May 22 Letter To Revoke Harvard’s SEVP Certification
The Department of Homeland Security will not enforce its May 22 letter revoking Harvard’s certification to host international students, according to a Wednesday court filing — but a longer revocation process remains on the table.
Harvard President Garber Tells Faculty He Is Not Considering a $500 Million Deal With Trump
Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 has told faculty that a deal with the Trump administration is not imminent and denied that the University is considering a $500 million settlement, according to three faculty members familiar with the matter.
Cambridge Plans To File Amicus Brief Supporting Harvard in Lawsuit Over International Students
The City of Cambridge plans to file an amicus brief supporting Harvard’s lawsuit against attempts by President Donald Trump and the Department of Homeland Security to revoke its ability to enroll international students.
Congressional Democrats Threaten To Investigate If Harvard Settles With Trump Administration
Fourteen House and Senate Democrats warned Harvard on Thursday that they would consider launching a congressional investigation into any major settlement between the University and the Trump administration.
House Republicans Zero In on Now-Defunct Training Program to Accuse Harvard Kennedy School of CCP Ties
A Republican-led House committee accused the Harvard Kennedy School of partnering with an organization linked to the Chinese Communist Party in a Wednesday letter to Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76.
Some Faculty Urge Harvard To Hold Out Against a Trump Deal, While Others Shift Focus to ‘Harm Reduction’
A steady trickle of news from the negotiating table has pushed even some opponents of a Harvard-Trump deal to focus instead on drawing lines in the sand against concessions they find unacceptable.
HHS Refers Harvard Antisemitism Probe to DOJ, Saying Months of Talks Were ‘Fruitless’
The Department of Health and Human Services referred its antisemitism probe into Harvard to the Department of Justice for possible legal action on Wednesday after what it called “fruitless” talks with the University, according to a letter obtained by The Crimson.
Harvard Will Turn Over I-9 Forms for Most University Employees in Response to DHS Inquiry
Harvard will turn over I-9 forms for nearly all employees in response to a subpoena and inspection by the Department of Homeland Security, the University’s human resources office wrote in an email to current and recent employees on Tuesday afternoon.
Trump Presses Harvard To Pay More Than Columbia in Federal Settlement
The White House is pushing Harvard for a major financial settlement in negotiations to restore more than $2 billion in frozen funds, according to a person familiar with the talks — and demanding that Harvard cough up even more than Columbia University did earlier this week.
Harvard College Closes Diversity Offices, Reassigns Staff to New ‘Harvard Foundation’
Harvard College will close its offices for minority students, LGBTQ students, and women and fold their staff under a new Office of Culture and Community, according to a Wednesday message from College Dean David J. Deming.
State Department Launches Investigation Into Harvard’s Participation in J-1 Visa Program
The United States State Department launched an investigation on Wednesday into Harvard’s compliance with the Exchange Visitor Program, which allows universities to sponsor short-term J-1 visas for international instructors, researchers, and certain students.
Before Sending April 11 Demands, Trump Administration Privately Floated an Aggressive Agenda to Harvard
A confidential memo, later published in court documents, shows that the Trump administration had already shared an aggressive ‘menu’ of reforms with Harvard, a week before government officials sent a second list of demands that the University rejected.
At Oral Arguments in Harvard Funding Lawsuit, Judge Casts Doubt on Government’s Case
A federal judge on Monday appeared skeptical of the federal government’s justification for freezing nearly $3 billion in research funding to Harvard, as lawyers for the two parties asked for a speedy decision in a high-stakes case that could determine the future of Harvard’s research enterprise.
What to Know as Harvard Heads to Court for Key Hearing in Federal Funding Lawsuit
Lawyers for Harvard will present oral arguments against the Trump administration’s research funding cuts at a federal courthouse in Boston on Monday morning. Here’s what you need to know.
Harvard Officials Say Federal Actions Could Cost the University $1 Billion Annually
Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 warned Monday that the combined financial impact of sweeping federal policy changes — including research funding cuts and a sharp increase in the tax on endowment income — could cost the University up to $1 billion annually.
HKS Professor David Gergen Remembered as Adept Washington Insider, Dedicated Public Servant
Harvard Kennedy School professor David Gergen — who advised four United States presidents and served as a prominent political commentator — died on Saturday. He was 83.
Harvard Grad Schools Rebrand Diversity Offices as University Wipes DEI Messaging
Several Harvard graduate schools began shuttering their diversity, equity, and inclusion offices over the past two weeks, continuing the University’s effort to replace DEI programs that the Trump administration has broadly painted as illegal.
Harvard College, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Replace Diversity Offices Amid DEI Purge
The dismantling of Harvard’s diversity offices arrived at Harvard College on Wednesday as websites for centers serving minority students, LGBTQ students, and women disappeared suddenly and without fanfare.
Trump Signs Spending Package Into Law, Imposing 8% Tax on Harvard’s Endowment Income
President Donald Trump signed into law a sweeping tax and spending package that significantly raises the federal excise tax on Harvard’s endowment income on Friday — a move that could cost the University more than $200 million a year.
200 Students Sign Open Letter Urging Harvard Not To Cave to Trump’s Demands in Talks
More than 200 students signed an open letter urging Harvard to “to reject any unreasonable or unlawful demands” as the White House claims it is nearing a deal with the University.