“I guess it became clear as the deadline approached that some of the larger concept issues would not get worked through in time,” she said. “It wasn’t so much a formal declaration in either direction. It was clear given our particular views and the time constraints the University was not ready to commit to the grant.”
Although this year’s deadline has now passed, coalition members said they plan to try again next year if the grant is still offered.
“We are not sure that the grant funding will be available next year which is why we worked so hard to get it done this year,” Levit-Shore said.
She said that although not applying for the grant is a disappointment to the group, the grant was not the only item on its agenda. She suggested Harvard itself could fund the programs coalition is seeking.
“Harvard has a lot of money and resources at its disposal. This grant was a way to get funding for changes without Harvard having to dip into its own money, but Harvard doesn’t necessarily need outside funding to make these changes,” Levit-Shore said.
—Staff writer Nalina Sombuntham can be reached at sombunth@fas.harvard.edu.