Harvard told to end diversity programmes, ban masks and more as funding threat detailed

The Trump administration detailed a raft of changes it wants from Harvard University in a letter received by the school on April 3, days after threatening to

end as much as US$9 billion (S$12 billion) in federal funding

for the school. 

The demands include nine items, including eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programmes, a broad ban on masks, merit-based admissions and hiring that eliminates any preferences including those based on race or national origin, law enforcement cooperation, as well as additional oversight for “biased programmes that fuel anti-Semitism”.

The letter also outlines governance and leadership reforms sought, including empowering faculty and administrative leaders committed to implementing the changes suggested.

“It is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that all recipients are responsible stewards of taxpayer funds,” read the letter seen by Bloomberg, sent to Harvard President Alan Garber and Ms Penny Pritzker, lead member of the Harvard Corporation. The message was sent jointly by the US Department of Health and Human Services, US Education Department and the US General Services Administration. 

Harvard confirmed receiving the letter, but did not comment. The letter was first reported by Fox News.

Harvard, the oldest and richest US university, has emerged as a target as the US government seeks drastic changes at the nation’s top colleges, which were roiled by pro-Palestinian student protests after the Oct 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel and the Jewish state’s retaliatory response in Gaza. The crackdown has stirred concerns among faculty and students over free speech and academic freedom, and the risk of damaging scientific research.  

Even with the school’s vast riches – its endowment totals US$53 billion – the hit to its finances would likely reverberate throughout the university. Professor Garber said in a statement following the initial announcement of the review on March 31 that a funding stoppage would “halt life-saving research and imperil important scientific research and innovation”.

He also acknowledged the need to combat anti-Semitism on campus, noting that he has experienced it directly while serving as the university’s leader. He has said Harvard is committed to working with the administration.  

The letter describes the changes sought at Harvard as “broad, non-exhaustive areas of reform that the government views as necessary for Harvard to implement to remain a responsible recipient of federal taxpayer dollars”.

The demands on Harvard mark an escalation of a pressure campaign by the administration that has targeted several US universities, including in the prestigious Ivy League, citing anti-Semitism concerns as well as diversity and inclusion efforts on campus and in admissions.

The terms received by Harvard are similar to demands received by Columbia University before the

government cancelled US$400 million in federal funding

in March. Columbia later

agreed to a list of demands

to restore federal funding, including a ban on masks, expanded campus police powers and a review of its Middle East, South Asian and African Studies department. 

The Trump administration has also

frozen dozens of research contracts

at Princeton University. It also suspended US$175 million at the University of Pennsylvania because the school allowed a transgender athlete to compete on its women’s swim team several years ago. And the administration is poised to

block US$510 million in federal grants and contracts for Brown University

over the school’s response to anti-Semitism on campus, The New York Times reported. 

Brown is particularly vulnerable to any funding disruption because its finances are already strained. The school has dipped into its endowment as increases in financial aid and staff salaries pressure its budget, an approach it has said is unsustainable. Brown operates a medical school and school of public health that draws federal research grants. 

Late in 2024, conservative activist Christopher Rufo suggested that the administration should make Harvard a primary target in its bid to reshape higher education.

Harvard has been stepping up disciplinary action. The university this week placed the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee on probation until June 30, saying it co-sponsored an April 1 rally with unrecognised student groups in which campus entrances were blocked and amplified sound was used. The disciplinary measure bars the organisation, known as the PSC, from accessing campus resources. BLOOMBERG