The rector of Ghent University has expressed support for Harvard University after the US Department of Education announced it would freeze 2.3 billion USD in federal funding if the White House’s demands were not met.

The ultimatum was outlined in a letter from Harvard president Alan M Garber, detailing the conditions set by president Donald Trump’s administration. These included more vigilance regarding antisemitism and civil rights violations, shutting down diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes and overhauling key university policies.

UGent rector Rik van de Walle, who spent time in the US while completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Arizona, responded to Harvard’s post on X. “I fully support this statement,” he said. 

“Political control of universities’ core tasks and silencing of academics is unacceptable. In the US and elsewhere. We should never accept politicians having the final say in universities. That is the prerogative of their staff and students.”

Initial demands

The announcement follows an escalating investigation: two weeks earlier, three federal agencies launched a review into approximately 9 billion USD in Harvard’s federal funding. 

Days later, the administration issued its initial demands, which included dismantling DEI initiatives, banning face masks on campus and committing to “full cooperation” with the Department of Homeland Security.

Last Friday, the White House sent a more detailed list of requirements. Among them were calls for Harvard to derecognise pro-Palestine student groups, audit academic programmes for viewpoint diversity and expel students involved in a 2023 altercation during a pro-Palestine protest at Harvard Business School.

The administration also demanded changes to the university’s international admissions process, requiring screening for students “supportive of terrorism and antisemitism” and immediate reporting of any international student who violates university conduct policies to federal authorities.

“Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom”

Other conditions included reducing the influence of faculty and administrators “more committed to activism than scholarship”, installing leaders aligned with the administration’s demands and submitting quarterly compliance updates starting in June.

Former US president Barack Obama also commented on the situation. “Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect,” he said. “Let’s hope other institutions follow suit.”