⚖️ In a big win for academic freedom, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully cut about 2.2 billion dollars in grants to Harvard University. This means Harvard can get back its research funding, and the White House can't freeze them anymore!
🗓️ Here's the lowdown: On April 11, officials demanded Harvard eliminate antisemitism on campus and dismantle diversity initiatives supporting certain minority groups. When Harvard declined on April 14, the administration froze 2.2 billion in multi-year grants and roughly 60 million in contracts.
🔄 Fast forward to August 26, and during a cabinet meeting, former President Trump doubled down, demanding "nothing less than 500 million." Three Ivy League peers, including Columbia, struck deals—Columbia paid 220 million to restore its funding.
📢 Protests around pro-Palestinian rallies after the October 7 Hamas attack shook campuses, and Harvard took steps to protect Jewish and Israeli students facing "vicious and reprehensible" treatment amid the Gaza war.
🎓 Why it matters: For young scholars across South and Southeast Asia—whether you're coding in Delhi, debating in Manila, or prepping your final-year thesis in Jakarta—this case sets a major precedent for campus rights, diversity initiatives, and funding fairness.
Stay tuned, stay curious, and keep pushing for spaces where ideas can flourish! 🌱✨
Reference(s):
Trump administration unlawfully cut Harvard's funding, judge rules
cgtn.com
