Harvard Details Campus Bias, Faces Funding Threat

Harvard University released two reports documenting widespread antisemitism, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian bias on campus, with tensions escalating after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The reports highlight that Jewish, Israeli, Arab, and Muslim students all experienced harassment, alienation, and felt treated as 'second-class citizens.' Jewish students specifically reported politicized instruction, social shunning, and at times felt compelled to hide their identities or withdraw from campus life, while Arab and Muslim students endured increased suspicion and harassment. Survey data underscored that many affected students felt physically and mentally unsafe. In response, Harvard President Alan Garber apologized for the university's shortcomings and outlined recommendations such as expanding academic offerings on antisemitism, improving debate training, and providing legal support for targeted students. The release comes as Harvard faces external scrutiny and the threat of multi-billion dollar federal funding cuts from the Trump administration over its handling of campus discrimination.