Harvard University President Alan M. Garber reportedly told faculty that they needed to rethink their messaging following the Republican Party’s election victory.
Garber reportedly described the bad mood in Washington, D.C., regarding higher education as the biggest threat to the university in recent memory The Harvard Crimson reported.
During a closed-door session of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences on December 3, Garber said he has met with about 40 members of Congress during his six trips to Washington since becoming president, according to three unnamed faculty members. According to the Crimson, he reportedly acknowledged “there were bipartisan frustrations with Harvard and believes the criticisms contain elements of truth”.
The Crimson reported that Garber saw last month’s election results as “an anti-elitist rejection by the American electorate” and said Harvard should “listen to public criticism with ’empathy and humility’.”
He acknowledged that Harvard’s communications strategy had not worked as well as its leaders had originally thought.
However, Garber did not provide details about how Harvard would modify its messaging going forward.
The Crimson reports, “Garber’s cordial tone suggests he intends to take a diplomatic approach — not a defiant one — as he negotiates with the incoming presidential administration, with Harvard in its sights. “
Harvard spokesman, Jason A. Newton did not provide specifics about the meeting, but told Fox News Digital in a statement, “The university will continue to engage with Washington and federal leaders to make the case for a government-wide partnership.” and universities that support students, critical research and innovation that promote economic growth as well as improvements in health and well-being.
At the meeting, Paul Andrew, vice president for public affairs and communications, reportedly detailed major legislative threats to Harvard, including endowment taxes, congressional investigations, and threats to federal research funding.
Trump this week nominated Harmeet K. to lead the Justice Department’s civil rights division. Dhillon, but given his outspoken position against the failure of Ivy League schools to combat anti-Semitism, schools like Harvard are cautious about the administration’s potential policies.
Additionally, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Trump’s pick to lead the National Institutes of Health, is considering linking a university’s likelihood of receiving research grants to a ranking or measure of academic freedom on campus. The Wall Street Journal reported,
For the second year in a row, Harvard University earned the lowest ranking among 251 colleges and universities for its free speech environment, according to a survey conducted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
Garber replaced former Harvard President Claudine Gay after she was forced to resign in January 2024 following a week-long scandal over comments about anti-Semitism at a congressional hearing and allegations of widespread plagiarism. .
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