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Amid Harvard’s ongoing battle with the Trump administration, students have been caught in the crossfire.

Between the federal funding freeze, restrictions on international student enrollment, and the dismantling of diversity initiatives, the student cost to the war on higher education has been undeniable. Even with the restoration of most federal funding, many affiliates remain impacted by Harvard’s fight against the Trump administration.

This is precisely why Harvard must listen to students’ concerns before making any more grave decisions.

Many post-Trump changes at Harvard have greatly affected students’ overall wellbeing. For example, Harvard cut course assistant pay and reduced the number of undergraduate teaching staff within certain departments. Additionally, the closure of campus offices for BGLTQ+ students, students of color, and women have left many feeling isolated. Finding support is now needlessly complicated for marginalized students.

Faculty — both at the College and graduate schools — have also been affected. The Harvard School of Public Health relies on federal funding and other outside sponsors for 59 percent of its budget — that figure is higher than the proportion at other Harvard schools. Numerous research projects at Harvard Medical School from cancer to Alzheimer’s research were halted temporarily or altogether cut. The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences recently fired 25 percent of staff in the union of clerical and technical workers. Even Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 agreed to take a voluntary 25 percent pay cut in response to the federal funding freeze.

Behind these headline cuts, it’s important to note that some changes to Harvard’s campus during the past year have solely been minor inconveniences. For example, Harvard removed free coffee machines from various spots around campus — these machines are noticeably better than the dining hall alternative. Harvard also recently replaced their disposable to-go containers with reusable ones. In previous years, Harvard likely wasted thousands of dollars on disposable containers; this new system seems to serve as yet another austerity measure. While minor, these reforms are symptoms of larger financial strains that negatively impact daily student life.

But the student impact of Harvard’s battle with Trump goes beyond the current student and administrative body. Just last week, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences decided to cut their Ph.D seats by more than half over the next two admission cycles. Additionally, Harvard’s decline in Black and Hispanic student enrollment for the Class of 2029 likely reflects the University’s broader attempt to limit diversity-sensitive policies in the undergraduate sphere.

Because these policies have a grand impact on the past, present, and future of Harvard, the least the University’s administration can do is hear students’ concerns from across all schools.

Affiliate concern over Harvard’s battle with Trump is nothing new. Last April, Harvard’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors — along with the national association — sued the Trump administration over funding cuts, and later won.

However, it seems that institutionally-backed spaces for feedback are only currently available for faculty — for example, the monthly Faculty of Arts and Sciences meeting with administrators. Through such a channel, there is more of an opportunity for faculty to directly express their disapproval over such changes, and rightfully so.

During this political moment, it is imperative that Harvard also provide platforms for students to express their perspective on the state of Harvard — we matter, too.

One step could be a temporary University-wide student council that administrators could consult before yet another consequential decision. If Harvard can make room for faculty perspectives in implementing administrative policy, they can also do so for student perspectives in their ongoing fight against Trump.

The battle against higher education is far from over. But due to the range of sacrifices students have had to make, Harvard owes its students a listening ear at the very least.

Only then will we be able to present a united front against the Trump administration.

Dalevyon L.J. Knight ’27, an Associate Editorial editor, is a Chemistry concentrator in Adams House.