Harvard weighs costs of standing up to president as other elite schools, such as Princeton, signal they won’t concede

Summary

Harvard faculty are organizing against fears the university will yield to Trump administration pressure after federal threats to revoke $9B in grants over alleged campus antisemitism.

Critics see President Alan Garber’s vague response as appeasement. Trump’s actions mirror broader crackdowns on activism nationwide.

Over 600 faculty signed letters urging resistance and legal action. Faculty unions and national groups like AAUP have launched lawsuits and coalitions.

Despite recent program suspensions and resignations, many argue Harvard’s $53B endowment positions it to defend academic independence and resist political interference.