Federal Funding at Risk: Harvard Faces Demands to Tackle Antisemitism

FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration has outlined stringent new requirements for Harvard University to address antisemitism in return for continued access to vital federal funding.

In a letter directed to Harvard President Dean Garber, senior officials from the administration asserted that the university had ‘fundamentally failed to protect American students and faculty from antisemitic violence and harassment’ in violation of the Civil Rights Act.

‘U.S. taxpayers invest significantly in colleges and universities across the nation, including Harvard,’ the correspondence stated. This letter was signed by Josh Gruenbaum, Commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service, along with Sean Keveney and Thomas Wheeler, acting general counsels from the Departments of Health and Human Services and Education.

The memo, acquired by Fox News Digital, emphasized the government’s duty to ensure accountability among recipients of taxpayer funds.

New Requirements for Harvard

The letter specified that Harvard must implement several changes, including prohibiting the use of masks that could obscure identities during protests. Additionally, the university is required to establish a clear ‘time, place and manner’ policy for protests. In a significant move, Harvard must abolish all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs, adopt merit-based admissions criteria, and eliminate any admissions processes that consider race or national origin.

Furthermore, the university must pledge to fully cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security and other governmental agencies.

Scholarship Under Review

Harvard will also need to evaluate and modify programs and departments that allegedly contribute to antisemitic harassment. The letter instructed the institution to work closely with law enforcement agencies. Accountability measures must extend to all recognized and unrecognized students for infractions against policy, with senior administration officials held responsible for disciplinary actions.

Recently, the Departments of Health and Human Services, General Services Administration, and Education announced a comprehensive review of about $8 billion in multi-year grant commitments. This action is part of an investigation initiated by the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism.

Included in this review are approximately $255 million in existing contracts.

A Clear Message

‘The message is unmistakable: reform is not optional,’ noted the task force in a statement to Fox News Digital.

‘The era of elite impunity is over. With billions in taxpayer dollars at stake, Harvard must either confront its institutional failures, including its inability to protect students from antisemitic abuse, or risk losing critical funding.’

Harvard’s Response

According to a university spokesperson, Harvard has received the letter from the federal task force and is poised to respond appropriately.

Garber expressed earlier this week that Harvard is committed to engaging with the task force ‘to ensure they understand the scope of our efforts and future actions to combat antisemitism.’

‘Much is at stake here. In longstanding partnership with the federal government, we have developed innovative research that enhances countless lives, communities, and our global society,’ Garber stated. He acknowledged that ‘antisemitism is a significant issue that we must and will continue to address.’

Recent Administrative Actions

Weeks before this latest directive, the Trump administration rescinded more than $400 million in funding from Columbia University due to concerns regarding antisemitism. Columbia was subsequently asked to adopt modifications to its disciplinary policies and place certain programs under closer scrutiny.

The university complied with many of the directives from the federal agencies, resulting in backlash from liberal critics. Columbia’s board of trustees later insisted that the changes were ‘Columbia-driven decisions’ aligned with its values and mission.

‘Where this work intersects with suggestions from others, we believe constructive dialogue is essential,’ they added.

Targeting International Students

In a broader context, the Trump administration has also directed its attention toward international students participating in protests at U.S. universities that are perceived to endorse pro-Hamas sentiments.

On January 30, Trump enacted an executive order to combat the rise of antisemitism on American campuses and streets since the escalations that began on October 7, 2023. Consequently, the State Department has revoked around 300 visas, many belonging to college students.

‘If you apply for a visa to enter the United States as a student and you inform us that your intent is not solely to pursue education, but to engage in activities that include vandalizing universities or harassing students, we will not grant you a visa,’ remarked Senator Marco Rubio, emphasizing the administration’s zero-tolerance policy.

Preparation for Potential Cuts

This week, Dean of the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Hopi E. Hoekstra, indicated that plans are in motion to prepare for potential federal funding reductions.

‘I understand that this news is quite concerning and difficult to process,’ Hoekstra lamented, as reported by The Harvard Crimson. ‘We have critical responsibilities that must continue, including maintaining our teaching and research missions.’

Broader Implications for Universities

Both Harvard and Columbia are among ten universities currently under the Federal Task Force’s scrutiny. In response to the funding review, Harvard has instituted a hiring freeze due to the uncertain financial future.

This evolving situation highlights the increasing pressure institutions of higher learning face to address allegations of antisemitism and maintain transparency in their operations. With substantial federal funding on the line, universities must navigate a complex landscape of compliance, accountability, and advocacy for a safe educational environment for all students.