In a bold movement, Harvard University announced Monday that it has filed a demand to block a federal freezing in approximately 2.2 billion dollars in research funds, qualifying unconstitutional and political government actions.
The demand follows a confrontation between the IVY League institution and the administration of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, who had demanded reforms on the campus, including restrictions on student activism and changes in diversity policies.
The inflammation point occurred after a letter of April 11 of the administration that pressed Harvard to review its leadership structure, admission and supervision procedures of student organizations. Among the demands: stricter discipline for protesters, audits of the diversity of opinion of the campus and even the investigation of international students for alignment with “US values.” Harvard refused, kept firm in his rights of the first amendment.
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Research research, innovation at risk
The rapid retaliation of the government, freezing billions in federal research grants, could interrupt critical studies in medicine, technology and national security. In his lawsuit, presented at the Boston Federal Court, Harvard argued that the freezing of funds does not have a clear connection with concerns about anti -Semitism, which the administration cited as a partial justification for its actions.
“The Government has not identified, and no, no rational connection between anti -Semitism groups and medical, scientific, technological and other investigations that has frozen that aims to save American lives, American amarana and global preserves leader in innovation,” said the lawsuit, presented in the Federal Court of Boston.
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The White House returns
The White House responded quickly. “The federal assistance sauce train to institutions such as Harvard, which enriches its bureaucrats in excess with a dollar taxes by US families fighting,” said spokesman Harrison Fields, the leaders of the University’s leaders. The Education Department rejected more comments.
Harvard’s demand echoes those expressed by the broader academic community. The American Association of University Teachers has also challenged the actions of the Administration in the Court. Meanwhile, the president of Harvard, Alan Garber, framed demand as an academic position: “We defend the truth that the conferences and universities throughout the country can adopt and honor their legal obligations and better fulfill their essential role in society.”
The American Education Council described the necessary and delayed Harvard position. “We applaud Harvard for taking this step,” said Council President Ted Mitchell. “The actions of the administration violated due process and the rule of law.”
(With AP tickets)
