Articles in this Cluster
28-05-2025
The Trump administration is directing federal agencies to review and potentially terminate or redirect roughly $100 million in Harvard University contracts as part of an escalating conflict with the school, citing alleged discrimination and antisemitism. While not an automatic cut, agencies will assess which grants are “critical” and could preserve some funding; affiliated hospitals are excluded. This follows prior moves freezing about $2.65 billion in grants, threatening tax-exempt status, and attempting to block Harvard from enrolling international students—actions that prompted lawsuits and a temporary restraining order. Harvard leaders warn cuts would disrupt high-priority federally funded research, with labs already losing NIH support and facing staff and project disruptions, particularly affecting graduate and international researchers. Students and faculty have protested, calling the administration’s rationale flawed.
Entities: Trump administration, Harvard University, federal agencies, National Institutes of Health (NIH), international students • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
28-05-2025
The Trump administration has ordered U.S. embassies to pause scheduling new student visa appointments as it prepares to expand mandatory social media screening for student and exchange visa applicants. Existing appointments can proceed. The move, framed as enhanced vetting, comes amid escalating clashes with elite universities over alleged antisemitism and admissions policies. The administration has also attempted to freeze university funding, revoke visas, and block Harvard from enrolling international students—actions partly halted by courts. The policy shift could significantly impact universities reliant on higher-paying international students.
Entities: Trump administration, U.S. embassies, student visas, social media screening, elite universities • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
28-05-2025
Harvard told a federal court that the Trump administration’s move to revoke its ability to host international students has thrown its 7,000 foreign students into turmoil, with some afraid to attend graduation and others canceling travel or reconsidering enrollment. Despite a temporary court block on the revocation, the university says damage is already occurring: visa delays, mental health strain, and prospective students—both international and some domestic—backing out. A Boston judge will hear arguments on whether to extend protections. Harvard argues the administration is targeting it in a broader retaliation affecting funding, academic freedom, and campus autonomy, while the administration frames its actions as addressing antisemitism and academic standards. Massachusetts backs Harvard in the case.
Entities: Harvard University, Trump administration, international students, Boston federal court, Massachusetts • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
28-05-2025
The Trump administration’s sanctions against Harvard—barring it from enrolling international students and freezing over $3 billion in grants—have unexpectedly unified a campus long divided over Israel-Palestine, free speech, and campus culture. Students and faculty across ideological lines, including conservative economist N. Gregory Mankiw, pro-Palestinian activists, and Jewish student leaders, have rallied to defend the university and its international students, rejecting the administration’s framing of the actions as protections against antisemitism. Harvard has taken an aggressive legal stance, suing the federal government, and campus leaders, including President Alan Garber, have urged support for education’s core values. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey warned the measures threaten the state’s economy and America’s ability to attract global talent. The solidarity contrasts with tensions at Columbia, where leadership faced boos at commencement.
Entities: Harvard University, Trump administration, N. Gregory Mankiw, Alan Garber, Maura Healey • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
