The article discusses the responses of Harvard and Columbia to authoritarian threats from the Trump administration, emphasizing the importance of symbolic actions in political context. Columbiaâs compliance with Trumpâs demands was perceived as weak, resulting in significant backlash. In contrast, Harvardâs multi-faceted public response addressed various stakeholders and highlighted the necessity for institutions to uphold their core values against authoritarian pressures. The article warns of the destructive intentions of certain Trump allies toward higher education, stressing the need for a principled stand by academic institutions.
Columbia appeared to capitulate, forging an 'agreement' to take steps sought by Trump, ostensibly to address antisemitism on campus, but this fig leaf was unconvincing.
In contrast, once Harvard received the Trump administration demands, it crafted a careful public response, producing multiple public-facing communications meant to speak to different audiences.
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