Op Eds
With Billions at Risk, Eight Affiliates React
Across the country, the White House has taken the unprecedented step of dangling federal funds as a bargaining chip in its engagement with universities. This week, they came to Harvard under the auspices of an investigation into antisemitism. At a crossroads for our University and higher education as a whole, hear from eight affiliates — among them a former Harvard Hillel President, experts on authoritarianism, and a graduate suing the University — on what comes next. — Max A. Palys ’26 and Saul I.M. Arnow '26, Editorial Chairs
I Study at CMES. The Leadership Change Is a Good First Step.
I’m still here, speaking, and determined to build a world where no student, Jewish or otherwise, ever feels they must hide their identity or intellectual interests while pursuing higher education.
Harvard Discriminated Against Me and Other Jews. Trump Is Right To Threaten Its Funding.
Will the withholding of federal funds entirely solve antisemitism on college campuses? Certainly not. But that doesn’t mean the American taxpayer should be subsidizing it.
Appeasing Trump Damages Harvard and America
Harvard’s leadership should listen to its faculty and the many students and alumni urging it to stand up for its values — and for democracy.
Trump’s Funding Threats Are an Affront To Jewish Values
Centering Judaism in this authoritarian attack on universities simply does not treat its promotion of intellectual vitality with care. When considering our core values, it is truly perverse.
Garber Must Change Course — Or Resign
More and more demands will likely be made of Harvard to keep the University under Trump’s thumb — Harvard cannot set a precedent of acquiescence, no matter how important leveraged funding may be.
Students Blacklisted, Students Arrested: All Voices of Reason, Speak Up Now
Voices of reason, please speak up. We all should be frightened, and if you are not, you are missing the bigger picture.
Harvard’s Targeting of CMES Should Alarm All of Us
The attack on CMES is an attack on us all, and it only further exemplifies what has been crystal clear for the last year and a half: At Harvard, only particular narratives are worthy of study — and particular peoples worthy of humanization.
To Protect America’s Universities, We Need America’s Public
The Trump administration’s actions show little care for academic freedom or scientific progress. But I believe that if we make a positive case to the American people, and demonstrate our focus on our educational and research mission, we will ultimately prevail.
The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its Harvard Plans
The world found out shortly before 3 a.m. Eastern time on March 28 that the Trump administration had decided to rescind all federal funding from Harvard University as well as claim by eminent domain the griffin statues on Robinson Hall as they “would look sick on the White House lawn.”
We’re Harvard Professors Suing the Trump Administration. Here’s Why.
Universities are currently on the front lines of a battle for basic civil liberties. We must fight for the values — and the people — that define us. This lawsuit is a start.
'It Feels Targeted': 4 International Students on Threats from the White House
In the last couple of months, we interviewed four international students about their experiences. What we heard painted a picture of a hostile political climate, at times exacerbated by Harvard's inconsistent or inadequate response.
I’m Glad Harvard Expanded Aid. Now It’s Time To Increase Access.
Year after year, Harvard fails to admit a truly diverse class in terms of geography and income. The University must refocus its recruitment efforts to identify and reward real merit everywhere it exists.
Harvard Used To Care About Ukraine. It Shouldn’t Stop Now.
Although general programming has been valuable in raising awareness of the Ukrainian plight, students too must pick up the slack. We must actively engage with the war in Ukraine, making it a sustained part of campus discourse.
First They Came for Columbia
We must learn from the past. We cannot remain silent in the face of authoritarian attacks on our peers, even if they have not yet come for us.
