The Education Department and Department of Health and Human Services told Harvard University\u2019s accreditor Wednesday there is \u201cstrong evidence to suggest the school may no longer meet\u201d accreditation standards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter to the New England Commission of Higher Education is the latest escalation in the Trump administration\u2019s multifront effort against the nation\u2019s oldest college. Loss of accreditation would mean Harvard could not receive federal student aid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The federal departments said Harvard was found in violation of antidiscrimination laws and therefore its accreditor needs to work with the university or take away accreditation if Harvard fails to remedy the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAccrediting bodies play a significant role in preserving academic integrity and a campus culture conducive to truth-seeking and learning. Part of that is ensuring students are safe on campus and abiding by federal laws that guarantee educational opportunities to all students,\u201d Education Secretary Linda McMahon\u2002<\/u><\/a>said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBy allowing anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination to persist unchecked on its campus, Harvard University has failed in its obligation to students, educators, and American taxpayers. The Department of Education expects the New England Commission of Higher Education to enforce its policies and practices, and to keep the Department fully informed of its efforts to ensure that Harvard is in compliance with federal law and accreditor standards,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Commission released a FAQ sheet regarding the situation after Harvard was found out of Title VI compliance by the administration in June, clarifying that the federal government\u2019s findings does not mean the university automatically gets accreditation taken away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The commission also said the federal government cannot force it to take away accreditation from a university. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Commission\u2019s policies and procedures, in accord with federal regulation, give institutions up to four years to come into compliance when found by the Commission to be out of compliance, which can be extended for good cause. Institutions in a non-compliance status remain accredited during this period of time,\u201d it said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Harvard is the second school to be turned over to its accreditor by the Trump administration, joining Columbia University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAntisemitism is a serious problem and no matter the context, it is unacceptable. Harvard has taken substantive, proactive steps to address the root causes of antisemitism in its community. In responding to the government\u2019s investigation, Harvard not only shared its comprehensive and retrospective Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias Report but also outlined the ways that it has strengthened policies, disciplined those who violate them, encouraged civil discourse, and promoted open, respectful dialogue,\u201d a Harvard spokesperson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHarvard is far from indifferent on this issue and strongly disagrees with the government\u2019s findings. Harvard continues to comply with the New England Commission of Higher Education\u2019s Standards for Accreditation, maintaining its accreditation uninterrupted since its initial review in 1929,\u201d the spokesperson added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n