Trump vs varsities

Some of America’s greatest universities, which are also among the best and most-sought-after in the world, are being punished by President Donald Trump for not toeing his line. The US administration froze $2.2-billion federal funding to Harvard University after the latter rejected its demands, including an audit to ensure ‘viewpoint diversity’ of students as well as the faculty and an end to diversity, equity and inclusion programmes. Harvard has called the demands “unprecedented assertions of power, unmoored from the law”. The university’s uncompromising stand has prompted the US Department of Homeland Security to set an April 30 deadline for furnishing records on its international student visa holders’ “illegal and violent” activities; in case of non-compliance, it may lose the privilege to enrol foreign students.

Trump has also threatened to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status if it persists with “political, ideological and terrorist-supporting sickness”. The commendable solidarity shown by Princeton and Stanford universities is expected to embolden Harvard — which will complete 400 years of its glorious existence in 2036 — to prepare for the long haul. But it’s disheartening that Columbia University has been browbeaten into granting some concessions to the government in exchange for restoration of federal funds.

It is obvious that the Trump administration is trying to appease Israel and America’s powerful Jewish lobby by targeting universities over their handling of the pro-Palestinian student protests. The attempts to deport foreign protesters and revoke visas of hundreds of people across the country are also a part of the agenda to stifle free speech and academic freedom. Employing intimidatory tactics against premier universities is certainly not a recipe to Make America Great Again. Instead, if Trump continues with his reckless ways, the US might end up losing its enviable status as the go-to destination for international students.