Harvard Federal Response

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The country and the City have been roiled by actions taken by the Trump administration, many of which fall outside the bounds of democratic norms and established legal frameworks; and

On March 31, 2025, three federal agencies announced a review of nearly $9 billion in federal grants and contracts to Harvard University, and a few days later issued a list of demands to prevent the loss of funding; and

Losing this funding, much of which covers basic research in many areas including disease prevention, cancer, and other lifesaving efforts, would be devastating for people across the country, not only the economic impact from job loss in the region;

Among the demands listed in the letter are the elimination of Harvard’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs, a ban on masks at campus protests, and a requirement for “full cooperation” with the Department of Homeland Security on enforcing immigration policy, as well as other federal regulators to ensure “full compliance” with federal guidelines; and

After receiving similar threats from the federal government, Columbia University capitulated to the Trump administration’s demands within two weeks; however, despite Columbia’s agreement to make changes, the impact on the funding restoration remains unresolved; and

According to the Crimson, the Harvard Corporation and the Harvard Board of Overseers, the University’s governing bodies, convened in Cambridge over the weekend to prepare a response to the Trump administration; such response will have significant implications not only for Harvard, but for the City, the region, and beyond;

In an extraordinary display of unity, more than 800 Harvard faculty members signed a letter urging the University’s governing boards to “refuse to comply with unlawful demands that threaten academic freedom and university self-governance;” and

Thousands of Harvard alumni from across the country, despite differing opinions on the University’s response to the protests about the ongoing violence in Gaza, are united in urging Harvard to defend the core values of academic freedom and democracy and the rule of law by resisting these demands, and responding in a forceful, thoughtful, and principled manner to the administration; and

President Eisgruber of Princeton University has spoken out about the dangers of acceding to the administration’s demands, which are a direct attack on academic freedom; and President Paxson of Brown University has signaled resistance to unacceptable demands; and

Former Harvard President and Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers has also

strongly emphasized the necessity for Harvard to uphold free speech and academic inquiry, to “resist the arbitrary application of government power,” and to reject the false narrative that the administration’s actions are due to concerns about antisemitism;

It is not hyperbole to draw a parallel between the current administration’s demands and the appeasement policies of the 1930s, when several European nations conceded to the demands of Hitler, contributing to the horrific rise of the Nazi regime and World War II; and

Harvard University’s response will have profound impact on the City of Cambridge, the region, the state, and the nation; now therefore be it

That the City Council formally go on record to urge, in the strongest possible terms, the Harvard Corporation to stand up in defense of the values that are fundamental to both the University and our democracy, follow the lead of Princeton University and former Harvard President Summers, and use all measures possible, including the University’s endowment funds, if necessary, to safeguard academic independence, the rule of law, and democracy; and be it further

That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to act with urgency and coordinate a response and consult with all relevant city, regional, and state entities to develop a united front and take all action possible to counter this assault on the foundational values of our city as a center of higher learning; and be it further

That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this policy order to the Harvard Corporation as soon as possible.