What's happened
During Harvard's graduation ceremony on June 1, 2025, President Alan Garber received applause for supporting international students amid ongoing threats from the Trump administration. The government has frozen funding and threatened to revoke Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students, framing it as a response to campus antisemitism. Harvard is fighting back legally.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights:
- Resistance to Authority: Harvard's strong stance against the Trump administration's demands highlights a broader conflict between academic institutions and government over academic freedom.
- Impact on International Students: With over a quarter of its students coming from abroad, Harvard's ability to maintain its diverse student body is crucial for its identity and financial health.
- Political Symbolism: The graduation ceremony served as a platform for expressing solidarity with international students, showcasing Harvard as a bulwark against perceived authoritarianism.
- Legal Battles Ahead: Harvard's legal challenges against the administration's actions will likely shape the future of academic governance and funding in the U.S.
- Public Sentiment: The support from alumni and community members reflects a significant backing for the university's mission and values, indicating a potential rallying point for those opposing the administration's policies.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, President Alan Garber's remarks during the graduation ceremony were met with a standing ovation, emphasizing the importance of international students at Harvard. The New York Times reported on protests outside the ceremony, where alumni expressed pride in Harvard's resistance to government pressure, with one alumnus stating, 'Harvard stood up for itself, for us, for higher education and democracy.' The ongoing legal battle, as noted by the New York Times, includes a federal judge preparing to hear arguments regarding Harvard's ability to enroll international students, indicating the high stakes involved in this conflict.
How we got here
The Trump administration has targeted Harvard University since taking office, seeking to revoke its ability to enroll international students and freezing federal funding. This has escalated tensions between the university and the government, with Harvard asserting its commitment to academic freedom.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of the funding freeze?
- How is Harvard responding to the government's actions?
- What does this mean for international students at Harvard?
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Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, clergyman John Harvard, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States
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Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and part of the Boston metropolitan area as a major suburb of Boston. As of July 2019, it was the fifth most populous city in the state, behind Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and Lowell.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.