Cambridge, MA – Harvard University officials are reportedly questioning the financial disparity of their ongoing negotiations with the White House, as their potential settlement could be ten times higher than the $50 million agreement recently reached by Brown University. This development comes amidst the Trump administration's broader campaign to reshape higher education policies, particularly concerning antisemitism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on college campuses.
The concern at Harvard was highlighted in a recent social media post by New York Times journalists Michael S. Schmidt, Alan Blinder, and Michael C. Bender, who stated, "Harvard's deal with the White House has been complicated by the deal announced last week w/ Brown for $50 million. Harvard officials are now wondering: Why do we have to pay 10x more?" This tweet underscores the significant financial implications for the Ivy League institution.
Brown University finalized a $50 million agreement with the Trump administration last week to restore frozen federal research funding. This deal, paid over 10 years to Rhode Island workforce development organizations, resolved investigations into alleged discrimination and required Brown to implement policy changes related to antisemitism, DEI, and admissions. The administration had previously frozen over $500 million in federal grants to Brown.
In contrast, Harvard has been embroiled in a more protracted and costly dispute with the White House. The administration has accused Harvard of failing to adequately address antisemitism and has frozen billions of dollars in federal grants and contracts, including over $2.2 billion in research funding. Reports indicate that Harvard is now willing to pay up to $500 million to resolve the conflict, a sum that aligns with the "10x more" mentioned in the tweet.
The Trump administration's pressure on universities stems from allegations that institutions have not done enough to combat antisemitism on campus and have implemented policies seen as discriminatory. Harvard has challenged the government's demands, arguing that they infringe on academic freedom and exceed federal authority. This has led to ongoing legal battles and intense negotiations, with the administration seeking substantial financial commitments and policy overhauls from the university.
The significantly higher figure for Harvard reflects the administration's aggressive stance and potentially Harvard's larger endowment and federal funding portfolio, signaling a precedent for other elite institutions facing similar pressures. The outcome of Harvard's negotiations is keenly watched across the higher education landscape, as it could set a new benchmark for settlements with the federal government.