Harvard University claimed it would not “negotiate over its independence or its constitutional rights" as it turned down the Trump administration's demands that it end its DEI programming and limit student protests in exchange for $9 billion in federal funding, according to new reporting in Bloomberg.
In a letter to the Department of Education, the school's lawyers wrote that “neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government."
"Harvard remains open to dialogue about what the university has done, and is planning to do, to improve the experience of every member of its community," the letter read. "But Harvard is not prepared to agree to demands that go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration."
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The Trump administration vowed to withdraw federal funding if Harvard didn't comply with its demands to end its diversity, equity and inclusion programs, or crack down on student protests. The demands came after students across the country said they felt threatened by pro-Palestinian student protests after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, and the resulting war.
“Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating antisemitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the ‘intellectual conditions’ at Harvard,” the school said in a statement to members of the Harvard community.
"Harvard is committed to fighting antisemitism and other forms of bigotry in its community. Antisemitism and discrimination of any kind not only are abhorrent and antithetical to Harvard’s values but also threaten its academic mission," the statement read.
Last month, Columbia University gave in to Trump's anti-Diversity Equity and Inclusion demands in order to keep $400 million in federal funding. The Ivy League university changes included the appointment of an official to oversee changes across university departments.
