Harvard faculty pledge 10% of pay to support fight against Trump
Updated: 7:26 PM EDT May 1, 2025
TONIGHT. MORE THAN 80 PROFESSORS HAVE SIGNED ON TO THE PLEDGE SO FAR. ORGANIZERS SAY IT IS ABOUT HELPING OUT THEIR COLLEAGUES AND STUDENTS, BUT ALSO ABOUT SENDING A MESSAGE. THIS IS A MOMENT IN WHICH I THINK I CAN JUST GIVE A LITTLE BIT BACK. HARVARD PROFESSOR ARCHON FUNG IS ONE OF MORE THAN 80 SENIOR FACULTY MEMBERS AT THE UNIVERSITY, PLEDGING 10% OF THEIR SALARIES TO HELP THE SCHOOL FIGHT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. HARVARD IS FACING SOME TOUGH TIMES FINANCIALLY, AND THAT’S CAUSING A LOT OF PAIN AMONG STUDENTS AND LABS AND ALL SORTS OF COLLEAGUES. AND I JUST FEEL LIKE IT’S IMPORTANT AND ALL OF US ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS HALTING $2.2 BILLION IN RESEARCH GRANTS AND THREATENING TO REVOKE HARVARD’S TAX EXEMPT STATUS. THE MOVES FOLLOW THE UNIVERSITY’S REJECTION OF DEMANDS THAT INCLUDED ENDING D-I PROGRAMS AND ALLOWING AUDITS TO ENSURE, QUOTE, VIEWPOINT DIVERSITY. FOR MANY OF US, CONTRIBUTING A PORTION OF OUR SALARY, WE’RE OBVIOUSLY NOT GOING TO COVER $2.2 BILLION OR WHATEVER THE FINANCIAL COST ENDS UP BEING. BUT BUT IT’S I THINK IT’S AN IMPORTANT GESTURE. FOLLOWING THE PROTESTS AGAINST THE WAR IN GAZA LAST YEAR, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAYS HARVARD HAS NOT DONE ENOUGH TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM. THE CAMPUS ONCE DIVIDED ON THAT ISSUE, NOW APPEARING UNITED AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ACTIONS. THIS WAS A REALLY DIVIDED PLACE LAST YEAR, AFTER OCTOBER 7TH. AND WHAT’S REALLY BEEN MEANINGFUL AND IMPORTANT, I THINK, IS THAT SENIOR FACULTY MEMBERS, PROMINENT SENIOR FACULTY MEMBERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THAT DEBATE ARE TOGETHER IN IN THIS CAMPAIGN. ORGANIZERS ESTIMATE THAT $2.5 MILLION HAS BEEN DONATED S
Harvard faculty pledge 10% of pay to support fight against Trump
Updated: 7:26 PM EDT May 1, 2025
More than 80 Harvard University faculty members are pledging a portion of their pay to help the university in its legal fight with President Donald Trump. In a letter, the group said they will donate back 10% of their pay for up to one year.The Trump administration has frozen more than $2 billion in research grants after accusing Harvard of failing to protect Jewish students from discrimination and harassment on campus. It has also threatened the university’s tax-exempt status. Harvard has filed a lawsuit, saying the Trump administration unlawfully froze the money.In the pledge, the group of professors said, in part, “We are heartened by the university’s rejection of the Trump administration’s unlawful demands. We also recognize that the university now faces severe financial damage for its defense of academic freedom.”Eighty-four professors signed on, and some have agreed to have their names listed publicly.
More than 80 Harvard University faculty members are pledging a portion of their pay to help the university in its legal fight with President Donald Trump.
In a letter, the group said they will donate back 10% of their pay for up to one year.
The Trump administration has frozen more than $2 billion in research grants after accusing Harvard of failing to protect Jewish students from discrimination and harassment on campus.
It has also threatened the university’s tax-exempt status.
Harvard has filed a lawsuit, saying the Trump administration unlawfully froze the money.
In the pledge, the group of professors said, in part, “We are heartened by the university’s rejection of the Trump administration’s unlawful demands. We also recognize that the university now faces severe financial damage for its defense of academic freedom.”
Eighty-four professors signed on, and some have agreed to have their names listed publicly.