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canopic jug [soylentnews.org] writes:

Harvard University is pushing back via a lawsuit [thecrimson.com] against micromanagement and censorship attempts emanating from the White House.

What is the rationale for the IRS revisiting Harvard’s exemption status? A theory is needed, because section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code says that an organization “shall”—not “may”—be exempt from taxation if it meets criteria listed in the statute. One of those criteria is for an institution to be organized exclusively for “educational purposes.”

— The Conservative Case for Leaving Harvard Alone. [theatlantic.com]   The Atlantic.

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The university’s sudden decision to stand up, according to insiders, wasn’t the plan a week earlier—and came about because the White House sent a list of demands so detailed, so humiliating, and so crudely anti-intellectual that Harvard was left with no option but to reject it. (There is growing suspicion here that Trump’s demands were deliberately crafted to be rejected, setting the stage for more Trumpian melodrama and hysteria.)

— Harvard Stands Up. [thenation.com]   The Nation.

The Harvard Crimson has started to cover this lawsuit:

“The tradeoff put to Harvard and other universities is clear: Allow the Government to micromanage your academic institution or jeopardize the institution’s ability to pursue medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and innovative solutions,” Harvard’s lawyers wrote in the Monday filing.

The 51-page complaint, filed in a United States district court, asks for the court to halt and declare unlawful the $2.2 billion freeze, as well as any freezes made in connection with “unconstitutional conditions” in the Trump administration’s April 3 and April 11 letters outlining demands to Harvard.

— Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over $2.2 Billion Funding Freeze. [thecrimson.com]   The Harvard Crimson.

The story has been picked up around the world:

Harvard sued US President Donald Trump's administration Monday in a sharp escalation of the fight between the prestigious university and the Republican, who has threatened its funding and sought to impose outside political supervision.

— Harvard sues Trump administration over threats to cut more than $2 billion in funding. [france24.com]   France 24.

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The Massachusetts-based Harvard is suing the Trump administration to halt the freeze of over $2 billion (almost €1.75 billion) in federal grants. Trump freezes over $2 billion in Harvard University funds

"The tradeoff put to Harvard and other universities is clear: Allow the Government to micromanage your academic institution or jeopardize the institution's ability to pursue medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and innovative solutions," university attorneys wrote in the suit, as per The Harvard Crimson.

— Harvard University sues Trump administration. [dw.com]   Deutsche Welle.

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In its lawsuit, Harvard said the funding freeze violated its First Amendment rights and the statutory provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The freeze, according to the lawsuit, was also "arbitrary and capricious and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act."

The lawsuit follows one filed earlier this month by the American Association of University Professors demanding that a federal judge declare unlawful and put aside a pending review and investigation of Harvard's funding.

— Harvard sues Trump administration over $2.2B US grant freeze. [www.cbc.ca]   CBC.

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"The Government's actions flout not just the First Amendment, but also federal laws and regulations," said the complaint, which called Trump's actions "arbitrary and capricious."

Trump is furious at Harvard for rejecting government supervision of its admissions, hiring practices and political slant and last week ordered the freezing of $2.2 billion in federal funding to the storied institution.

The lawsuit calls for the freezing of funds and conditions imposed on federal grants to be declared unlawful, as well as for the Trump administration to pay Harvard's costs.

— Oversight row: Harvard sues Trump over US federal funding cuts. [today.rtl.lu]   RTL.

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Driving the news: Harvard President Alan Garber said in a message to the campus community Monday that the "consequences of the government's overreach will be severe and long-lasting" and accused the administration of trying to impose "unprecedented and improper control."

— Harvard sues Trump administration over funding freeze. [axios.com]   Axios.

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In a 51-page complaint filed in Massachusetts federal court, the prestigious Ivy League college accused the federal government of using the withholding of federal funding as “leverage to gain control of academic decisionmaking at Harvard.”

“Defendants’ actions threaten Harvard’s academic independence and place at risk critical lifesaving and pathbreaking research that occurs on its campus. And they are part of a broader effort by the government to punish Harvard for protecting its constitutional rights,” the university says in the lawsuit.

— Harvard sues White House over multibillion-dollar cuts to research funding. [courthousenews.com]   Courthouse Newws.

Previously:
(2020) Trump Admin Caves to Harvard and MIT, Won’t Deport Online-Only Students [soylentnews.org]
(2020) New Rules: Foreign Pupils Must Leave US if Classes Go Online-Only [soylentnews.org]

Original Submission