Harvard University is at the center of a high-stakes conflict after refusing to comply with newly imposed federal directives, triggering the suspension of more than $2.2 billion in government funding.
The demands called for sweeping reforms across campus—dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, shifting to merit-based hiring and admissions, and increasing scrutiny of foreign students. University leadership pushed back, calling the terms an infringement on institutional independence and a threat to academic freedom.
In response, the federal government halted multi-year contracts and grants, escalating tensions and prompting Harvard to explore borrowing up to $750 million to stabilize its finances during the freeze.
The clash has sent shockwaves through higher education circles, raising serious questions about the balance between federal oversight and university governance. As both sides dig in, the outcome could redefine the future relationship between elite institutions and Washington.