[By Guancha Observer Network, Zhang Jingjuan] After Harvard University, one of the most prestigious private universities in the United States, "stood up to" President Trump, although over $2.2 billion in federal grants were frozen, this move garnered more financial support for the university.

According to a report by The New York Times, some small donors are making efforts to fill the funding gap.

In the 20 years since graduating from Harvard, Samuel Graham-Felsen has never donated to his alma mater.

This novelist from New Jersey believed that Harvard, with its 388-year history, symbolizes elitism and donating to the world's wealthiest university goes against his values. When he received a fundraising notice, he asked himself, "Why should I donate to a place with billions in reserves?" Previously, the university had announced plans to issue bonds worth up to $750 million on Wall Street as emergency funds.

On April 14, after Harvard University refused the "rectification" demands from the Trump administration, the government announced the freezing of approximately $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in project contract payments allocated to the university that day. The Trump administration had previously sent a letter to Harvard University, requiring extensive management and leadership reforms, implementing "merit-based" admission and hiring policies, and reviewing the "viewpoint diversity" of its research institutions, faculty, and leadership. During this period, Harvard University was required to share all recruitment data and admission data with the Trump administration. In addition, the Trump administration also demanded that Harvard prohibit students from wearing masks.

On the 15th, Trump threatened to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status and demanded an apology from the university. The Trump administration stated that it targeted Harvard because the university did not do enough to combat anti-Semitism.

This made Graham-Felsen, who is Jewish, find it absurd and changed his mind about donating.

The report said that Graham-Felsen donated $108 to Harvard University, a number that is a multiple of the symbolically significant Jewish number 18, symbolizing his opposition to the government's actions to suppress academia under the guise of combating anti-Semitism.

"The harder Trump economically pressures Harvard, the more I will donate. Although I am not rich," said Graham-Felsen.

It is unclear how many people donated to Harvard University this week, but Graham-Felsen said that many of his friends donated this week, some of whom had never donated to the school before.

On May 13, 2024, local time in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Palestinian protesters continued their demonstrations on the Harvard University campus. IC Photo

The New York Times pointed out that some critics hold different opinions. Kenneth Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, donated more than $500 million to Harvard last year, but he suspended donations due to dissatisfaction with the university's handling of anti-Semitism issues.

After Harvard's tough response this week, another critic, alumnus Shabbos Kestenbaum, expressed disappointment in his alma mater. He wrote on social media: "Harvard's strength against Trump is even greater than its effort to combat anti-Semitism." It was reported that Kestenbaum is suing the school over its handling of anti-Semitism issues.

The Harvard Republican Club also condemned the university's refusal to cooperate with federal requests in a statement.

Reportedly, among those interviewed by The New York Times this week discussing donations to Harvard, no one believed that their small donations would provide strong financial support for the university in its billion-dollar battle with the government. But for many people, this is not just about Harvard.

Laurence Tribe, honorary professor at Harvard Law School, called for donations to Harvard at this time.

Gil Pimentel, an alumnus of Harvard, said: "If we allow the government to attack its perceived enemies without due process or respect for the rule of law, our democracy will be finished."

For many years, Pimentel has compiled email addresses of 400 alumni from his class, including former U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, conservative lawyer George Conway who frequently criticized Trump, and renowned American historian Heather Cox Richardson.

After donating $100 on Monday, Pimentel sent out an email urging everyone to donate. He said his donation was insignificant, but he hoped President Alan M. Garber of Harvard University knew he had the support of alumni.

This Harvard alumnus said he received more than 50 replies saying "donated," with several alumni stating they had "never donated before" or "only donated symbolically once or twice."

Reportedly, this week, even college leaders who have always been critical of Harvard gave the university some degree of support. Lane Glenn, president of North Essex Community College, located about an hour north of Harvard, previously stated that Harvard University should provide more assistance to poorer colleges. His school only had a $9 million endowment fund, while Harvard University had a $53 billion endowment fund.

However, he recently emphasized that Harvard had been unfairly treated. He believed that Harvard had a responsibility, given the resources it possessed, to stand up and defend itself, and defend higher education. However, Glenn said this did not mean he would add any funds to Harvard.

This article is an exclusive contribution from the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7494648829204054543/

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