Harvard professors urge university to protect ‘key values’ in Trump negotiations

A small group of professors at Harvard has sent a letter to university leadership urging them not to cross certain lines as the nation’s oldest and richest school engages in negotiations with the Trump administration, which has withheld billions in federal funding to the school.

The letter, addressed to Harvard President Alan Garber, members of Harvard Corporation and the Harvard community, outlines several “key values” the faculty members say they need to keep in mind when working toward a deal with President Trump.

Of the four values highlighted, the first is to ensure the government gets no control of who leads the university or any of its departments; the second is to protect hiring and admissions decisions and not give information regarding the processes to outside entities; the third stresses the need for the content of classes and programs to be decided by professors and those within Harvard; and lastly, any financial settlement should go toward programs that align with Harvard’s values.

“As a group of Harvard faculty who are closely following the Trump Administration’s assault on the vibrancy and inclusiveness of U.S. higher education, we write today to express our concerns about — and hopes for — principles to be observed in any ongoing discussions with the federal government or other outside groups,” the professors wrote in the letter.

The letter is signed by nine Harvard professors, including Ryan Enos, director for the Center of American Political Studies.

While the professors who signed the letter are divided on whether Harvard should be trying to reach a deal with the Trump administration at all, “all of us have nevertheless agreed to sign this letter because we feel that public clarity is important about what cannot be compromised by Harvard, given its prominence in national and international academic affairs,” the letter reads.

The Hill has reached out to Harvard for comment.

The letter comes after both Brown University and Columbia University struck deals with the Trump administration under which a large sum of money was paid and other reforms were made within the institutions, including promises around “merit-based admissions” and ensuring no “racial quotas” in school programs.

Harvard is also suing the administration, and it is unclear how behind-the-scenes talks could impact its lawsuits.