Trump admin initiating review of Harvard contracts after Columbia concessions
The Trump administration announced on Monday it would be initiating a review of federal contracts with Harvard University, saying it will be a similar style inquiry to the one it threw at Columbia University, which had $400 million in funding paused and has yet to see it restored despite agreeing to all of the administration's stated demands.
The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services and the U.S. General Services Administration will be assessing the $255.6 million in contracts between the federal government and Harvard, along with the university’s affiliates.
The review will also assess the more than $8.7 billion in multi-year grant commitments the administration has to Harvard and its affiliates.
This review will determine if any funding needs to be paused to the university, according to the administration, and is part of the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism efforts.
“Harvard has served as a symbol of the American Dream for generations — the pinnacle aspiration for students all over the world to work hard and earn admission to the storied institution,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
“Harvard’s failure to protect students on campus from anti-Semitic discrimination — all while promoting divisive ideologies over free inquiry — has put its reputation in serious jeopardy. Harvard can right these wrongs and restore itself to a campus dedicated to academic excellence and truth-seeking, where all students feel safe on its campus,” McMahon added.
The administration noted the review comes after it gained nine concessions from Columbia to change its disciplinary policies after a similar style reviewed that paused $400 million in funding to the New York Ivy League. Despite the concessions, the federal government said it was only a “first step” and the funding has not been restored.
The announcement comes days after The Harvard Crimson reported Harvard dismissed the faculty leaders of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies.
The Hill has reached out to Harvard for comment.