The Trump administration has not shied away from its anti-higher education policy with several funding cuts at the levels of education. DEI programs in schools have been rescinded and federal grants have been frozen (which affects FAFSA for many students applying to higher education). As a result, many believe that these initiatives have made going to university an even more difficult struggle, which is a step backward for our nation as a whole.
Harvard’s Role
Harvard University decided to take a stand against these grant freezes by filing a lawsuit against the administration. According to the BBC, the president of Harvard stated, “the $2bn funding freeze would hamper critical disease research.” As one of the leading universities in the nation, Harvard’s fear of the consequences of these initiatives is incredibly damaging to the image of the nation as a whole.
It receives billions in endowments, yet they are still protesting for these $2 billion because of the principle. The idea of a public government having such a hold on the top private universities is very worrying for smaller universities that may not have the same power or funds.
Motivations
The Trump administration attempts to hold these funds back in hopes of having some control over the private decisions that Harvard makes, such as their diversity initiatives and internal policies. However, the entire system seems too close to blackmail for the Harvard administration since most of their annual profit is spent towards research, which is now being threatened.
Another motivation for the grant freezes is a push towards anti-semitism policy, which the Trump administration believes is synonymous with the pro-Palestinian protests that happened last year. Similar activities occurred at Columbia, where they conceded to demands after many federal funds were threatened as well.
A Look to the Future
The move as a whole seems to be part of an anti-educational policy that the Trump administration is championing. With the dissolution of the Department of Education, it is uncertain how the future of learning will be affected. Though many people believe in “wait it out,” the amount of changes that would need to be reversed is immense and might be overshadowed by other pressing matters.
However, there is hope with the Big Ten Academic Alliance forming the Mutual Academic Defense Compact in an attempt to fight Trump’s initiatives. There is power in numbers, and large coalitions may persuade the administration to reconsider freezing funds. Ohio State has recently joined, and Penn State may be in talks to join as well.
All in all, the future may be uncertain, but universities are certainly not following the demands of the government without a fight. What are your thoughts on Trump’s federal grant freezes? Let @VALLEYmag know on Instagram!
Related
How Trump’s Tariffs Are Coming For Gen Z’s Shopping Habits
Trump Administration Makes Middle School Mistake
A Few Mad Men: Trump’s Foreign Policy
Helpful info. Fortunate me I discovered your web site unintentionally, and I am stunned why this accident did not came about earlier! I bookmarked it.
Nice read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch! “Too much sanity may be madness. And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be” by Miguel de Cervantes.
I have been browsing on-line more than 3 hours nowadays, but I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth sufficient for me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made just right content as you probably did, the net will probably be a lot more helpful than ever before. “We are not retreating – we are advancing in another Direction.” by Douglas MacArthur.
Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
Some really interesting details you have written.Assisted me a lot, just what I was looking for :D.
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
I have been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or blog posts on this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i’m happy to convey that I’ve an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I so much indisputably will make sure to do not put out of your mind this web site and give it a look on a continuing basis.
Deference to post author, some wonderful entropy.
Good blog! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.