The Trump Administration has said that it freezes more than $ 2 million in federal funds for Harvard University, a few hours after Elite College rejecting a list of white -home demands.
« Harvard’s statement today strengthens the worrying law mentality that is endemic to the most prestigious universities and colleges of our nation, » the Department of Education said in a statement.
The Trump administration sent Harvard on Friday a letter to a list of requirements that they said were designed to combat anti -Semitism on the campus, including changes in their governance, the hiring of internships and the admission procedures.
Harvard strongly rejected demands in a letter on Monday.
« The university will not deliver its independence or will give up its constitutional rights, » said Harvard President Alan Garber.
He added that the university did not « slightly » take its obligation to fight anti -Semitism, but said that the government was overcoming.
« The prescription of the administration goes beyond the power of the federal government, » he wrote.
The Government’s application « violates the rights of Harvard’s first amendment », « surpasses » its authority and « threatens our values as a private institution, » said Garber.
Shortly after this letter was made public, the Department of Education said that it freezed $ 2.2 million in aid and $ 60 million in contracts in Harvard.
A department group of the Department on the fight against anti -Semitism said that federal funding comes « with the responsibility of defending civil rights laws ».
The White House said in its own letter that Harvard « in recent years could not be up to date with both the intellectual conditions and civil rights that justify federal investment ».
The letter included 10 categories for the proposed changes that the White House said they were needed for Harvard to maintain its « financial relationship with the federal government. »
Some of the changes include: Reducing the power of non -welcome students and teachers; Informing students to the federal government that they are « hostile » to the American values and hiring an external part approved by the Government to audit programs and departments « than most anti-Semitic harassment. »
Since entering the White House, President Donald Trump has pressured universities to stop anti -Semitism and final diversity practices.
He has accused the main universities of not protecting Jewish students, as well as having a left -wing institutional bias.
In March, the administration said it was reviewing approximately $ 256 million (£ 194 million) in federal contracts and grants in Harvard and an additional $ 8.7 million in multi -year grant commitments.
Harvard’s teachers filed a lawsuit in response, claiming that the Government illegally attacked freedom of expression and academic freedom.
The White House had previously awarded $ 400 million in federal funding from Columbia University and accused it of not having to fight anti -Semitism and protect Jewish students on their campus.
After daring $ 400 million, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said: « Universities must comply with all federal anti -discrimination laws if they will receive federal funding. »
Shortly afterwards, Columbia agreed to several of the administration’s demandsMaking criticism of some students and teachers.
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