The Harvard Challenge: Why we need to redouble our commitment to the good of the world, and how we can help the U.S.

At least three universities in Hong Kong are inviting international students at Harvard University to join their institutions, following the United States administration’s shock decision last week to ban the prestigious American institution from enrolling foreign students.

There was a multi-billion dollar funding freeze after Harvard refused demands to change policies about hiring and admissions or screen international students who support terrorism or anti-Semitic views.

A faculty member of ours just got the Breakthrough Prize for work that led to the discovery of GLP-1 drugs, which are now revolutionizing how we approach obesity, diabetes and many other conditions. The breakthrough prize was awarded to a faculty member for their work in the field of gene editing, which is already being used to cure diseases. This is a huge part of what we do. The research work done by the universities is good for everyone. And it is not only about Harvard. I think it’s important to keep that in mind. The ability of the United States to remain at the forefront of technology and science will be affected by the kinds of changes that the administration is considering, and these changes will affect all research universities.

We have to be firm in our commitment to what we stand for. And what we stand for – I believe I speak for other universities – is education, pursuit of the truth, helping to educate people for better futures. And hopefully our own students, after they graduate from our institutions, go out and serve the world. In the end, we’re about producing and disseminating knowledge and serving our nation and our world. When we fail in that, then we can expect to be attacked. So number one, I think we all need to redouble our commitment to the good of the nation and the world. And I know my fellow leaders fully embrace that.

As evidence of how his university’s work directly benefits the U.S. public, Garber points to recent honors awarded to Harvard faculty by the Breakthrough Prize, known as “The Oscars of Science,” for their work on obesity and diabetes drugs and gene editing, used to correct disease-causing genetic variations.

Harvard’s legal fights with the Trump administration: the work of major research universities and the case against antisemitism on campus

After a federal judge blocked Harvard’s ability to enroll international students, President Donald Trump stated on his Truth Social that the home countries of those students are not friendly to the United States and do not pay anything for their students’ education. The president’s post also said his administration wants “to know who those foreign students are.”

In a recent interview with NPR’s Steve Inskeep, Harvard’s legal fights with the Trump administration, the work of major research universities, as well as the administration’s concerns about antisemitism on campus, were discussed.

Alan Garber: In my view, the federal government is saying that we need to address antisemitism in particular, but it has raised other issues, and it includes claims that we lack viewpoint diversity. We have been very clear that we think we do have issues, and I would particularly emphasize the speech issues. We think it’s a real problem, if – particularly a research university’s – students don’t feel free to speak their minds, when faculty feel that they have to think twice before they talk about the subjects that they’re teaching. That’s a real problem that we need to address. And it’s particularly concerning when people have views that they think are unpopular. And the administration and others have said conservatives are too few on campus and their views are not welcome. In so far as that’s true, that’s a problem we really need to address.

They are not true, according to my knowledge. I’m adding that this is definitely the subject of litigation, as you pointed it out earlier. So we have endeavored to comply fully in line with the law.

Source: As Trump targets elite schools, Harvard’s president says they should ‘stand firm’

Why Harvard isn’t just a university without international students: What should you tell people who are interested in research universities and why should they’stand firm’?

Is that just a small example of the things you’re trying to do? You want to allow all sorts of ideas, but you want people to be able to engage each other civilly.

Inskeep: Is this what you mean In the lawsuit you say that Harvard wouldn’t be Harvard without international students.

Steve, what would you say to someone in the middle of the country who is listening, but doesn’t have a stake in this? I didn’t go to Harvard. I’m not sending my kid to Harvard. I don’t like Harvard very much. This seems to be about a different kind of people. And Harvard deserves what they’re getting. Or in any case, it doesn’t matter much to me.” What do you think should be said to a person who has that attitude?

Garber: I would ask them to learn a little bit more, not only about Harvard, but about universities like Harvard – that is research universities. Our university is made up of both teaching and learning. Research is at the heart of the university’s activities. There have been many discoveries from Harvard as well as other research universities in the field of cancer.

Source: As Trump targets elite schools, Harvard’s president says they should ‘stand firm’

What is the best use of the federal budget? A warning to the government about the returns to the American people’s interests and educating the next generation

Garber: I would say that the federal government has the authority through the budgeting process to reallocate funds. But the question to ask is what problem is he trying to solve by doing that? The money that goes to research universities in the form of grants and contracts, which is almost all of the federal support that we get, is used to pay for work that we perform at the behest of the government. So in reallocating to some other use, including trade schools, it means that work just won’t be performed. Is this the best use of federal funding? Do you want to stop spending money on research? I’m less concerned about whether it goes to a trade school or if it goes to some other project, like working on highways. The real question is, how much value does the federal government get from its expenditures on research? There is a lot of actual research demonstrating the returns to the American people have been enormous.

Garber: Well, they said it I have to repeat it myself and I have to believe it. It’s understood by the other leaders of the other universities that way. A warning is what it is. They see this as a message that if you don’t comply with what we’re demanding, these will be the consequences.

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The Case of Wood: A Case Study in the U.S. and Israel Between George Floyd’s Murder and a New Life in the Desert

Corporate America is distancing itself from DEI. This move showcases a significant shift from five years ago, when the racial reckoning triggered by George Floyd’s murder sent companies racing to staff up. NPR reports on job losses in this field.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a new group backed by the U.S. and Israel, is starting to bring limited quantities of food to Gaza, where hunger is widespread and extreme. However, the group is facing suspicion and growing criticism from the UN and other aid groups. Jake Wood, the executive director, resigned because he couldn’t abandon his principles.

Years after their son left the U.S. to join ISIS, a Minnesota couple learned they had two young grandsons trapped in a Syrian desert camp. They’re among an estimated 22 U.S. citizens still in the sprawling, primitive camps, including about 17 American children, according to the State Department. The two boys from Minnesota were flown to New York in a military cargo plane to start a new life in the American Midwest. Read the full story here by NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer.

Source: Harvard’s president speaks out against Trump. And, an analysis of DEI job losses

A trek through the forested cactus fields and the Andes Mountains: NPR’s Brian Mann in Santiago, Chile

Autumn has arrived in South America, and it’s perfect hiking conditions in Santiago, Chile, the capital, where steep hills rise above the city. At the center is Cerro San Cristóbal, with breathtaking views of wildflowers, pine forests and the Andes Mountains. NPR’s Brian Mann made the trek, where he ventured through forested hills of volcanic rock and groves of cactus. His journey can be seen and his experience can be found here.