"Harvard Stands Firm: A Long-Term Tussle with Trump"
University scholar perceives prolonged academic feud with Trump as possible given institution's stance.
Researcher Ryan Enos, director of Harvard's Center for American Political Studies, is optimistic about his university's resilience against President Trump's administration. In an interview with Der Spiegel, Enos remarked, "We've got reserves to last through some tough times, and a wave of sympathy is helping us. Not to mention the recent donations from our wealthy alumni." The administration plans to cut off Harvard's $3 billion in federal research funding.
Enos helped initiate Harvard's resistance to Trump. Along with colleague Steven Levitsky, he urged the university's leadership to challenge the government's attempts to interfere with the independence of elite universities, such as Harvard. Following this call, they launched a petition to the administration that garnered over 800 faculty signatures. Ultimately, Harvard President Alan Garber publicly opposed the Trump administration's attacks.
Enos perceives Harvard as a symbol of resistance in the US. He told Spiegel, "Trump wants to extinguish this resistance. America can't afford for Harvard to crumble. It's crucial for our democracy. This is why it's essential now for other universities, social groups, and institutions to display more resistance against Trump."
Recently, Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder suggested establishing an exile campus in Bavaria to welcome international students unable to study at Harvard due to their dispute with Trump. Söder, who expressed dismay at Trump's plans to ban students from Harvard, offered his state's extensive university infrastructure to accommodate these students.
As international students bemoan uncertainty and the possibility of arrests, the number of incoming students is expected to decrease. Despite the court temporarily overturning the ban on international students at Harvard, there is apprehension among incoming and current students.
Harvard's Fight for Survival
Harvard has fought back against the Trump administration's moves by suing the government. The lawsuit alleges that revoking the university's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification infringes upon the First Amendment, Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act[1]. A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order, barring the Trump administration from detaining Harvard's international students pending a full hearing[1]. In addition, President Alan Garber communicated with the community, pledging to safeguard the university's international students and scholars[1].
Bavaria, a Haven for Displaced Students?
While there is no specific information about Bavarian universities' response to potential conflicts with the Trump administration, the proposed exile campus in Bavaria demonstrates a willingness to support international students facing challenges studying in the U.S. It remains to be seen if other European universities will follow suit in solidarity with Harvard and its displaced students.
- Elite University
- Democracy Researcher
- International Students
[1] Der Spiegel, ntv.de, fzo.de
[2] Harvard University, Crimson, ICE, Federal Judge, Administrative Procedure Act (APA)
- In response to President Trump's administration's plans to cut off Harvard's federal research funding, Ryan Enos, a researcher and the director of Harvard's Center for American Political Studies, has launched a resistance movement.
- Recognizing Harvard as a symbol of resistance in the US, Ryan Enos perceives it as crucial for democracy that other universities, social groups, and institutions display more resistance against Trump.
- Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder, sympathizing with the challenges international students face at Harvard due to their dispute with Trump, has proposed the establishment of an exile campus in Bavaria to accommodate them.
- Amidst uncertainties and apprehension, the number of incoming international students at Harvard is expected to decrease; however, the university has filed a lawsuit to protect its students and scholars, with President Alan Garber pledging to safeguard their rights.
