Harvard University is set to review its academic offerings and admissions policies following two internal reports addressing antisemitism and anti-Arab prejudice, prompted by pro-Palestinian protests last spring. The university released these 500-page reports while engaged in a legal battle with the Trump administration, which has frozen $2.2 billion in federal funding, insisting on reforms to combat campus antisemitism.
President Alan Garber acknowledged the university’s progress over the past year but emphasized the need for ongoing improvements. He indicated that the university will implement some of the reports’ recommendations, including reassessing admissions processes to ensure applicants can engage constructively in civil discourse. A new application question encourages students to share experiences of disagreement, aligning with suggestions to reject candidates with a history of bias.
While Harvard’s planned changes increase scrutiny on admissions, they do not fully meet the Trump administration’s demands for merit-based evaluations that eliminate race or national origin considerations. The Supreme Court has recently restricted race-based admissions, but many institutions continue to factor in socioeconomic diversity.
In response to concerns over politicization and perceived anti-Israel sentiment in instruction, Harvard aims to establish new faculty standards that promote intellectual openness. The university plans to implement required antisemitism training for students and staff, expand academic offerings related to Hebrew, Judaic, Arab, and Islamic studies, and invest in research on antisemitism.
Garber also announced intentions to enhance viewpoint diversity across campus, as this aligns with White House priorities. Despite external pressures, Garber maintains that Harvard will uphold academic freedom and institutional autonomy, making it a key player in the ongoing national discourse on these issues.
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