Harvard rejects Donald Trump's demands - but can the university survive the freezing financing? Explain | Today news

Harvard University is the center of a sharpening political unveiling after rejecting the claims of the Trump administration. The government has previously threatened to freeze up to $ 9 billion in federal research awards and contracts – a move that can seriously disrupt the university’s operations. The Trump administration has already cut $ 2.2 billion. The big question is: Will this freezing freeze Harvard actually hurt? The Trump administration wants Harvard to review its management, eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) programs, change admissions and reduce rental rental and reduce the influence of certain ideological groups on campus. Federal financing issues – Much while Harvard has a large donation of $ 53 billion, it still depends significantly on federal financing. In fiscal 2024 alone, the university received about $ 715 million from federal sponsored research – about 11% of its annual budget. Some parts of the university are much more vulnerable: Harvard School of Public Health gets 59% of its income from sponsored research. Engineering School: 37% Medical School: 35% with such deep confidence, even partial cuts can seriously affect staff, student scholarship and continuous research projects. Can Harvard just fall in his $ 53 billion grant? Not easy. While Harvard is America’s richest university, about 70% of the endowment is legally limited – earmarked for specific programs or departments. It can not only be used to include budget holes. Harvard has already announced plans to borrow $ 750 million as a contingency – a clear sign that even a wealthy institution may experience the pressure if federal financing dries up. Ripple effects The freezing point will not only hit Harvard. It can also affect the local economy, including the Longwood Medical Area, home to Harvard’s top hospitals and research centers that rely on federal financing for medical innovation and clinical studies. Legal and political uncertainty is the state of Harvard – who defends academic freedom and which can consider it unconstitutional government too much too much – can cause a long -term legal struggle. The university argues that most of the Trump administration’s demands extend further than combating anti -Semitism and rather reforming ideologically. The case could set a national precedent on how far the federal government can go to dictate university policies in exchange for funding. Will it hurt Harvard? In the short term? Possibly-especially for research-heavy departments and public health efforts. In the long run? It depends on the courts, the next administration and how far the government is willing to go. How did Harvard respond to Trump administrative claims? President Alan Garber rejected the claims, saying they were crossing red lines by threatening Harvard’s academic freedom and institutional autonomy. “Harvard will not surrender its independence or constitutional rights,” Garber declared, warning that the government’s actions not only threaten the university but also public health and national innovation. Why now put pressure on elite colleges? Trump’s administration increased the pressure on Elite colleges on how they handle anti -Semitism, especially after the campus turmoil following the attack on October 7, 2023 to Israel and Israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza. The White House argues that top schools fail to protect Jewish students and that dei programs have contributed to an anti-Israel atmosphere. Is it just about anti -Semitism? Not quite. Harvard argues that although some claims address anti -Semitism, most amounts to unconstitutional government control over campus life – from curriculum to staff decisions. In his answer, supported by two major law firms, Harvard says that it is a broader attempt to reform higher education through executive power. What are the political and legal implications? This confrontation quickly becomes a symbol of resistance to Trump’s aggressive use of federal power. Former President Barack Obama praised Harvard’s position and called it “an example” to protect academic freedom. But critics warn the university is taking a great risk. Trump is escalating the attack on Harvard, indicating that President Donald Trump, tax-released status, recalled his criticism of Harvard University on Tuesday, indicating that the Ivy League institution should be stripped of his tax-free status. Trump wrote on Truth Social: ‘Maybe Harvard should lose his tax -free status and be taxed as a political entity if he continues to push political, ideological and terrorists -inspired’ illness’? Remember, tax exemption status is completely dependent on the action in the public interest! “What comes next? For the time being, Trump’s administration seems to be determined to ward off financing unless Harvard agrees to the changes. is clear: Harvard’s resistance is a risk – not just for his own future, but for the independence of American higher education as a whole.