Blitz Bureau
WASHINGTON: In a major escalation of its efforts to combat campus anti-Semitism, the Trump administration has announced a “comprehensive review” of federal contracts and grants at Harvard University and its affiliates, reported IANS.
The decision, revealed by the Departments of Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the US General Services Administration (GSA), is part of an ongoing initiative led by the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism.
The task force will examine over $255.6-million in federal contracts with Harvard, along with more than $8.7 billion in multi-year grant commitments, to ensure compliance with federal regulations, including civil rights obligations, according to a statement from the US Department of State (DoS).
“Harvard has served as a symbol of the American Dream for generations – the pinnacle aspiration for students all over the world to work hard and earn admission to the storied institution,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. Taking aim at the Ivy League university, she added, “Harvard’s failure to protect students on campus from anti-Semitic discrimination – all while promoting divisive ideologies over free inquiry – has put its reputation in serious jeopardy.
Harvard can right these wrongs and restore itself to a campus dedicated to academic excellence and truthseeking, where all students feel safe.” The review follows a similar ongoing investigation into Columbia University, which resulted in the institution agreeing to comply with nine preconditions to regain access to cancelled federal funds.
This initiative strengthens enforcement of President Trump’s Executive Order titled ‘Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism.’ “The Task Force ensures that federally funded institutions uphold their legal and ethical responsibilities to prevent anti-Semitic harassment,” the statement read.
The same task force previously cut $400 million in funding from Columbia University and warned that billions more could be at risk unless specific demands were met.
Columbia recently agreed to several of the federal Government’s conditions, drawing praise from Jewish advocacy groups while raising concerns among free speech organisations about Government overreach.
