Losing accreditation could bring major financial consequences
The Trump administration told Harvard University’s accreditor that the Ivy League school failed to protect Jewish students, a violation of civil rights laws, putting its status at risk.
In the Wednesday notice to the New England Commission of Higher Education, the departments of Education and Health and Human Services said Harvard was “in violation of federal antidiscrimination laws and therefore may fail to meet the standards for accreditation set by the Commission.” It noted that the accreditor’s policies state that its members must adhere to “non-discriminatory policies and practices.”
The Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism told Harvard on June 30 that the Trump administration found the university acted “with deliberate indifference toward discrimination and harassment against Jewish and Israeli students on its campus from Oct. 7, 2023 to the present.” That puts Harvard in violation of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which protects students based on national origin, including shared ancestry.
Given that finding, “there is strong evidence to suggest the school may no longer meet the Commission’s accreditation standards,” the Wednesday notice read.
Without accreditation, colleges and universities are not eligible for federal financial aid, including student loans, and employers are less likely to see a degree from an unaccredited institution as legitimate. While university accreditation is meant to hinge on a school’s education quality, accreditors—who are overseen by the Education Department—have increasingly considered other factors, like DEI policies.
While universities rarely lose accreditation, President Donald Trump has taken steps to overhaul the process in an effort to fight left-wing “overreach” on campus. On April 23, Trump signed an executive order that makes it easier for universities to change accreditors and for new accreditors to gain federal recognition.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said Harvard “failed in its obligation to students, educators, and American taxpayers” by “allowing anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination to persist unchecked on its campus.”
“Accrediting 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,” McMahon said. “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.”
Wednesday’s notice marks the Trump administration’s latest salvo against Harvard and other elite universities it says have failed to curb campus anti-Semitism. In June, the administration sent a similar notice to Columbia University’s accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Weeks later, the commission warned that Columbia’s “accreditation may be in jeopardy because of insufficient evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with Standard II (Ethics and Integrity).”
Harvard spokesman Jason Newton said the university outlined for the Trump administration “ways that it has strengthened policies, disciplined those who violate them, encouraged civil discourse, and promoted open, respectful dialogue.”
“Antisemitism 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,” he said. “Harvard is far from indifferent on this issue and strongly disagrees with the government’s findings.”
“Harvard has made significant strides to combat bigotry, hate and bias,” Newton added. “We are not alone in confronting this challenge and recognize that this work is ongoing. We remain committed to ensuring members of our Jewish and Israeli community are embraced, respected, and can thrive at Harvard.”
Jessica Schwalb contributed to this report.
Update, 11:20 a.m.: This story has been updated to include a statement from Harvard.
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