Harvard University is receiving widespread criticism following the founding of an encampment known as Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine (HOOP). This encampment began on April 24, 2024. This encampment is in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. It is just one manifestation of a larger wave of protests that have occurred at university campuses across the country. Specifically, Harvard’s encampment was modeled after an earlier action that occurred at Columbia University on April 17, 2023.
Then it got even worse when the Trump administration threatened to review all of federal contracts and grants at Harvard. The moves are part of a larger campaign by the administration to crack down on pro-Palestinian demonstrations on American campuses. In particular they call out the chilling effect on the schools’ duty to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitic harassment. In February 2024, the U.S. government pulled $400 million in federal funding for Columbia University on very similar grounds.
Administration’s Response
Harvard President Alan Garber recently expressed his disappointment with the disruption caused by the HOOP encampment. He asserted that it disrupted the university’s core educational mission.
“The encampment favors the voices of a few over the rights of many who have experienced disruption in how they learn and work at a critical time of the semester. I call on those participating in the encampment to end the occupation of Harvard Yard.” – Alan Garber, President of Harvard University
The Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism will be reviewing approximately $255.6 million in contracts. These contracts include the federal government and Harvard, and its affiliates. In many ways, this review reflects the government’s serious and clear commitment to combating anti-Semitism. This is particularly critical given the recent spike in antisemitism after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The Justice Department emphasized that “the Task Force’s first priority will be to root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses.” The administration’s crackdown aligns with earlier actions towards Columbia University, where Secretary of Education Linda McMahon criticized the university’s handling of anti-Semitic incidents.
“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.” – Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education
Negotiations and Agreements
After months of increasing tension, Harvard and the student protesters came to an agreement for the removal of the encampment on May 14, 2024. This move came on the heels of Harvard’s promise to be more transparent about its endowment in the face of the protesters’ demands on middle-aged retirees. The university hopes to provide students with a clearer picture of exactly how their financial contributions are being spent.
They are responding to external pressure from students and government entities. The rhetorical battle over this agreement is an important manifestation of this larger trend. Columbia University’s reluctant willingness to implement a series of demands issued by the Trump administration. This decision was an effort to get its funding, which was paused, restored.
Even with these negotiations, uncertainty still hangs over whether the contracts and grants that the feds had suspended will be reopened. The U.S. government has yet to provide clear guidance on this front. Consequently, there is a great deal of anxiety among students and faculty alike over the prospective research and educational program slaughter.
“If this funding is stopped, it will halt life-saving research and imperil important scientific research and innovation.” – Alan Garber, President of Harvard University
Broader Implications for Students
The Trump administration has done more than review funding. …has laid the groundwork for deporting dozens of foreign students who joined pro-Palestinian demonstrations on U.S. college campuses last fall. This executive order takes a powerful stand against anti-Semitism. It poses, troublingly, much greater questions about freedom of expression and the right to protest in academic institutions.
Garber has granted that upholding free speech is paramount, but explained it shouldn’t be the case in a university environment.
“The right to free speech, including protest and dissent, is vital to the work of the research university. But it is not unlimited.” – Alan Garber, President of Harvard University
As protests roll into their second week and tensions remain high, both sides paint contrasting pictures of the protests and what they mean for life on campus going forward. Sean Keveney, a member of the Task Force and acting Health and Human Services General Counsel, commented positively on Harvard’s willingness to engage with the administration’s goals.
“We are pleased that Harvard is willing to engage with us on these goals.” – Sean Keveney
