Contributing opinion writer
Steven Levitsky
Latest Content
Harvard Must Take a Stand Against Trump’s Compact
Harvard, rather than quietly pursuing its own appeasement strategy, should lead the way to preserve academic freedom and democracy.
This Isn’t Negotiation. It’s Authoritarian Extortion.
Defending democracy requires sacrifice. There are moments when we must pay a price to ensure the long-term survival of our basic freedoms. This is one of those moments.
With Billions at Risk, Eight Affiliates React
Across the country, the White House has taken the unprecedented step of dangling federal funds as a bargaining chip in its engagement with universities. This week, they came to Harvard under the auspices of an investigation into antisemitism. At a crossroads for our University and higher education as a whole, hear from eight affiliates — among them a former Harvard Hillel President, experts on authoritarianism, and a graduate suing the University — on what comes next. — Max A. Palys ’26 and Saul I.M. Arnow '26, Editorial Chairs
Appeasing Trump Damages Harvard and America
Harvard’s leadership should listen to its faculty and the many students and alumni urging it to stand up for its values — and for democracy.
First They Came for Columbia
We must learn from the past. We cannot remain silent in the face of authoritarian attacks on our peers, even if they have not yet come for us.
Harvard Must Take a Stand for Democracy
To silence ourselves in the name of neutrality would not only violate our own policy but also abdicate our broader civil responsibility.
To the Student Protesters Barred From Graduating on Time
The Ad Board’s bad-faith actions have damaged something that is essential for our great University to fulfill its mission: trust among faculty, students, and administrators.
Suspending Student Protesters Would Be a Palestine Exception to Free Speech
A good case can be made that the latest generation of student protesters have been unusually restrained. And yet only today’s student protesters face a mass suspension.
Enough Outside Bullying: Penslar Is the Right Choice To Lead the Antisemitism Task Force
It’s time to say enough. The attacks on professor Derek J. Penslar — and by extension on President Garber for appointing him to this role — exemplify two profoundly worrying trends that threaten Harvard’s very mission.
Don’t Bully Students With Dissenting Views. Protect Them.
We believe the students made a poor choice. But those of us with powerful positions and years of experience should use a mistake as a teachable moment, not an opportunity to intimidate.