Latest news with #IvyLeague
The Hindu
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
The man who stood up to Trump
In May last year, as Alan Garber stepped up to the podium on Harvard Alumni Day, a woman suddenly emerged from the crowd and poured gold glitter all over his head. She then began demanding the release of monkeys from the university's laboratories. With his face still covered in shimmering flecks, Mr. Garber calmly assured the attendees that he was unharmed and then declared, 'I hope that Harvard will always continue to be a place where… free speech continues to thrive.' Unbeknownst to him at the time, the physician and economist would soon become a central figure in the pushback against the Trump administration's escalating assault on academic freedom across American university campuses. The latest salvo in this ongoing conflict came when the Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard's certification to enrol international students. The move prompted an immediate lawsuit from the university and a swift restraining order from a federal judge. Though the decision is interim, it brought palpable relief to students as the university held its commencement on May 29. In his address, Mr. Garber did not refer to the standoff directly, but his words struck a defiant note: Harvard, he said, welcomes students from around the world 'just as it should be'. Mr. Garber's association with Harvard spans over half a century, beginning in 1973 when he enrolled as an undergraduate. He went on to earn three degrees from the Ivy League institution — a bachelor's, a master's, and a doctorate, all in economics. He later pursued a medical degree from Stanford University, where he eventually built a distinguished academic career spanning over 25 years. Presidency forged in crisis In 2011, then-Harvard president Drew Gilpin Faust invited him to serve as provost, the university's chief academic officer. Reflecting on the decision in an interview with The New York Times, she recalled being impressed by his calm demeanour and ability to build consensus in moments of conflict. Over the next 12 years, Mr. Garber solidified his reputation as a formidable senior administrator while maintaining a low public profile. By 2023, he was preparing to step away from administrative duties and return to teaching. However, fate had other plans. That year, Claudine Gay made history as Harvard's first Black female president. But her tenure came to an abrupt end just six months later, following allegations of plagiarism and mounting criticism over her handling of alleged anti-Semitism on campus. Soon thereafter, Mr. Garber found himself suddenly thrust into the spotlight, tasked with steering the university through one of its most turbulent chapters. In his first interview as interim president with The Harvard Crimson, he candidly acknowledged that he was assuming office at a 'painful and disorienting time for Harvard'. One of his first administrative decisions was to establish twin presidential task forces to address anti-Semitism and Islamophobia on campus. His appointment of Derek J. Penslar, a professor of Jewish history, as co-chair of the anti-Semitism task force drew immediate criticism, largely due to Mr. Penslar's prior writings that were critical of the Israeli government. Just over a month later, Mr. Garber made another contentious decision by appointing John F. Manning, a conservative law professor, as interim provost. This move stirred quiet discontent among the university's predominantly liberal faculty. Around the same time, Harvard adopted a new policy of not issuing official statements unrelated to its 'core functions', following the recommendations of a faculty committee. Its largest academic division also announced that it would no longer require job applicants to submit written statements affirming their commitment to diversity. What ultimately solidified Mr. Garber's reputation as a resolute leader unafraid to make unpopular decisions for the university's betterment was his handling of the pro-Palestinian encampment protests that spread across campuses. While many peer institutions responded with police crackdowns, he opted for restraint and dialogue. The encampment at Harvard concluded peacefully after he agreed to expedite petitions for reinstating suspended students and facilitated a meeting between protesters and the university's governing bodies to discuss divestment. To the Harvard Corporation, his measured response exemplified the leadership the university needed. Consequently, on August 2, 2024, Mr. Garber was appointed president through the 2026–27 academic year. During his 2024 campaign, Mr. Trump pledged to reclaim American universities from 'radical Left and Marxist maniacs', indicating that reining in academia would be a priority in his second term. Initially, Mr. Garber avoided confrontation with the new administration. When the White House announced in March that it was reviewing $9 billion in grants and contracts over Harvard's alleged failure to protect students from anti-Semitic discrimination, his response was measured rather than defiant. He expressed a willingness to work with the federal task force in outlining the university's efforts to combat anti-Semitism. In a rare personal disclosure, he revealed that he had encountered anti-Semitism himself, even while serving as president. However, the administration's next move marked a sharp escalation. On April 11, an email from federal officials laid out sweeping demands: federal oversight of faculty hiring, mandatory reporting of misconduct by international students, and the appointment of an external overseer to enforce 'viewpoint diversity' within academic departments. Three days later, Harvard released a searing letter penned by Mr. Garber. 'No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,' he wrote. Legal fight with government In the days that followed, federal officials announced the suspension of $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts awarded to the university, alongside threats to revoke its tax-exempt status. Harvard responded by suing the Trump administration, accusing it of exerting financial coercion to interfere with academic governance. The 51-page lawsuit also accused the administration of violating the First Amendment by restricting what Harvard's faculty could teach students. Harvard has already announced cuts to degree-granting programmes and halted faculty recruitment. It is also staring down a catastrophic Republican-backed endowment tax Bill. Although most of the administration's sanctions are being challenged in court, the litigation will take months if not years. Even if the courts ultimately side with Harvard, appeals are almost certain, and some hits to funding may be irreversible. Mr. Garber, too, has been compelled to concede ground. Last month, he announced that Harvard would undertake reforms to 'focus on individuals and their unique characteristics rather than their race'. Soon after, the university cancelled graduation ceremonies for affinity groups. His strategy reflects a delicate balancing act — shielding the institution from political assault while undertaking reforms that may ensure its survival.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ivy League dreams in limbo: Visas, verdicts & very anxious students
Live Events 'Ivy League colleges cannot survive without international students. They are the backbone of America's academic strength. This situation is temporary... it will pass.'I've been saying this often these days, more to calm the nerves of students and their parents than anything over two decades, I've watched thousands of Indian students chase the American Dream—an Ivy League degree, a high-flying job in the US and a life of global success. I've walked this journey with them—from the nervous excitement of SAT prep to nail-biting decisions on for the first time in my career, I find myself in the eye of an entirely new storm: the growing uncertainty in US college admissions for international students. And yet, I remain calm. Because I know the system is cyclical rather than permanent.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)Much of the current anxiety stems from the ongoing legal battles involving universities like Harvard. After the Donald Trump administration barred the University of Harvard from enrolling foreign students, a recent court ruling has allowed it to enrol international students, but many logistical roadblocks 20% of Indian students who have got admission to American colleges and universities this year have already got their visa. About 30% have secured interview dates. The remaining 50% are stuck—waiting for I-20 forms, which are eligibility certificates issued by a college or a university that is necessary to apply for a student visa, or struggling to find open visa slots. No new interview appointments are being issued right we are in June. The August intake is looming large and, understandably, parents are advice is simple: stay calm and have a pragmatic Plan B. Many families are now exploring alternatives like the UK and Singapore, or even returning to top Indian most students still want to hold out hope. They know—as I do—that there's still nothing quite like a US undergraduate this climate, I see three types of students:They're willing to lose a semester or even defer a year, just to make it to their dream US students are seriously weighing options in the UK, Singapore and even top Indian are watching and waiting, believing that visa processes will be realigned in there's reason to believe they will. The pressure on the US government to resolve this is mounting—economically, politically and other battle is just getting into an American college. With Common Application, AI-assisted evaluations and higher global applications, US colleges have never been more selective. Consider this: the University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate dropped from 20% in 2005 to just 5.4% in 2024. Boston University's went from 52% to 10.7%. New York University's fell from 32% to a mere 8%.More than 80% of Indian undergraduate applicants to the US are disappointed with the outcomes. Many of them feel they deserve better. But they are up against a system where nearly 35% of seats are locked up by MALDC candidates—Minorities, Athletes, Legacies, Donors and Children of Faculty and competition is only intensifying. The pipeline of Indian applicants is growing rapidly. Students from second- and third-tier towns now outperform their metro-city peers, fuelled by better schools and greater has been a huge jump in high-quality institutions across India. IT diploma schools have grown from 80 in 2010 to 175+ today. A-Level schools have doubled from 100 to 200+ in the same US still offers world-class education, but the post-graduation road is no longer guaranteed. A four-year undergraduate degree now costs upwards of $400,000, while an MBA degree can cost $250,000 or only 40% of Indian students who are graduating this year have secured jobs so far. Even in high-demand fields like computer science, the number was lower than expected. Ivy League MBAs are not immune either—23% of Harvard MBA graduates were unemployed three months after graduation in 2024. At Stanford , that figure was 18%, nearly double from just two years visa uncertainty continues. Optional practical training ( OPT ) and H-1B rules for visas remain inconsistent. Standardised testing, like the SAT, is making a comeback—adding yet another layer of the stakes rise, I encourage students to redefine what success looks like. Elite institutions are fantastic platforms but they are not the only route to achievement.I often recommend Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be by Frank Bruni. It's a wake-up call for those obsessed with the end of the day, real success depends on character, curiosity and grit—not just a brand of my students are exploring Indian post-grad options like the IIMs. Indian companies increasingly value homegrown talent—those who understand the market and are hungry to build something isn't the new normal. It's a moment in flux. My message to students and parents is: stay flexible, stay informed and keep your eye on the long game. Be prepared to pivot. Don't tie your self-worth to a college name or a country's immigration path ahead demands resilience—the ability to adapt, to reinvent oneself, to embrace uncertainty. We are entering an era where resilience will matter more than résumés. That's what I tell my students when they call, worried, sometimes in tears. I remind them that uncertainty doesn't equal failure—it's just part of recent months, I have also found myself having deeper, more philosophical conversations with families which I never used to have 10 or 15 years ago. Parents are beginning to ask not just how to get in, but why they are pursuing this path in the first place. And students are more reflective. They care more about alignment—between their passions, purpose and the education they seek. It's no longer just about getting a US degree. It's about building a life that feels role is no longer just about helping them get into a college—it's about helping them think bigger, with confidence, no matter where they land. After all, the dream isn't changing. It's just getting path may no longer be straight. But for those willing to stay the course, it can still lead to something Ivy League dream is still alive—but maybe, just maybe, it's time to dream wider.(As told to Lijee Philip)
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Ivy League dreams in limbo: Visas, verdicts & very anxious students
Bloomberg Harvard University students wearing graduation gowns walk through Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 29 'Ivy League colleges cannot survive without international students. They are the backbone of America's academic strength. This situation is temporary... it will pass.' I've been saying this often these days, more to calm the nerves of students and their parents than anything else. For over two decades, I've watched thousands of Indian students chase the American Dream—an Ivy League degree, a high-flying job in the US and a life of global success. I've walked this journey with them—from the nervous excitement of SAT prep to nail-biting decisions on colleges. Now, for the first time in my career, I find myself in the eye of an entirely new storm: the growing uncertainty in US college admissions for international students. And yet, I remain calm. Because I know the system is cyclical rather than permanent. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Harvard's Legal Battle Much of the current anxiety stems from the ongoing legal battles involving universities like Harvard. After the Donald Trump administration barred the University of Harvard from enrolling foreign students, a recent court ruling has allowed it to enrol international students, but many logistical roadblocks remain. Roughly 20% of Indian students who have got admission to American colleges and universities this year have already got their visa. About 30% have secured interview dates. The remaining 50% are stuck—waiting for I-20 forms, which are eligibility certificates issued by a college or a university that is necessary to apply for a student visa, or struggling to find open visa slots. No new interview appointments are being issued right now. And we are in June. The August intake is looming large and, understandably, parents are stressed. My advice is simple: stay calm and have a pragmatic Plan B. Many families are now exploring alternatives like the UK and Singapore, or even returning to top Indian universities. But most students still want to hold out hope. They know—as I do—that there's still nothing quite like a US undergraduate education. In this climate, I see three types of students: The Determined Ones: They're willing to lose a semester or even defer a year, just to make it to their dream US college. The Flexible Planners: These students are seriously weighing options in the UK, Singapore and even top Indian colleges. The Hopeful Majority: They are watching and waiting, believing that visa processes will be realigned in time. And there's reason to believe they will. The pressure on the US government to resolve this is mounting—economically, politically and diplomatically. Getting In The other battle is just getting into an American college. With Common Application, AI-assisted evaluations and higher global applications, US colleges have never been more selective. Consider this: the University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate dropped from 20% in 2005 to just 5.4% in 2024. Boston University's went from 52% to 10.7%. New York University's fell from 32% to a mere 8%. More than 80% of Indian undergraduate applicants to the US are disappointed with the outcomes. Many of them feel they deserve better. But they are up against a system where nearly 35% of seats are locked up by MALDC candidates—Minorities, Athletes, Legacies, Donors and Children of Faculty and Administrators. The competition is only intensifying. The pipeline of Indian applicants is growing rapidly. Students from second- and third-tier towns now outperform their metro-city peers, fuelled by better schools and greater ambition. There has been a huge jump in high-quality institutions across India. IT diploma schools have grown from 80 in 2010 to 175+ today. A-Level schools have doubled from 100 to 200+ in the same period. The US still offers world-class education, but the post-graduation road is no longer guaranteed. A four-year undergraduate degree now costs upwards of $400,000, while an MBA degree can cost $250,000 or more. Yet, only 40% of Indian students who are graduating this year have secured jobs so far. Even in high-demand fields like computer science, the number was lower than expected. Ivy League MBAs are not immune either—23% of Harvard MBA graduates were unemployed three months after graduation in 2024. At Stanford, that figure was 18%, nearly double from just two years ago. Meanwhile, visa uncertainty continues. Optional practical training (OPT) and H-1B rules for visas remain inconsistent. Standardised testing, like the SAT, is making a comeback—adding yet another layer of complexity. As the stakes rise, I encourage students to redefine what success looks like. Elite institutions are fantastic platforms but they are not the only route to achievement. I often recommend Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be by Frank Bruni. It's a wake-up call for those obsessed with prestige. At the end of the day, real success depends on character, curiosity and grit—not just a brand name. Some of my students are exploring Indian post-grad options like the IIMs. Indian companies increasingly value homegrown talent—those who understand the market and are hungry to build something here. This isn't the new normal. It's a moment in flux. My message to students and parents is: stay flexible, stay informed and keep your eye on the long game. Be prepared to pivot. Don't tie your self-worth to a college name or a country's immigration policy. The path ahead demands resilience—the ability to adapt, to reinvent oneself, to embrace uncertainty. We are entering an era where resilience will matter more than résumés. That's what I tell my students when they call, worried, sometimes in tears. I remind them that uncertainty doesn't equal failure—it's just part of growth. In recent months, I have also found myself having deeper, more philosophical conversations with families which I never used to have 10 or 15 years ago. Parents are beginning to ask not just how to get in, but why they are pursuing this path in the first place. And students are more reflective. They care more about alignment—between their passions, purpose and the education they seek. It's no longer just about getting a US degree. It's about building a life that feels meaningful. My role is no longer just about helping them get into a college—it's about helping them think bigger, with confidence, no matter where they land. After all, the dream isn't changing. It's just getting smarter. The path may no longer be straight. But for those willing to stay the course, it can still lead to something extraordinary. The Ivy League dream is still alive—but maybe, just maybe, it's time to dream wider. (As told to Lijee Philip)
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US Speaker reacts to Indian-American Megha Vemuri's pro-Palestine speech: 'Have your children avoid MIT'
Speaker Mike Johnson reacted to Indian-origin Megha Vemuri's pro-Palestine speech at the commencement ceremony and called it ignorant, hateful and morally bankrupt. Johnson also took MIT to task as he questioned why the institute has not properly responded to it. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Speaker was reacting to a post by MAGA commentator Megyn Kelly who criticized Vemuri's apathy to the Jewish students attending the ceremony. "have your children avoid MIT & the Ivy League at all costs," Johnson wrote. "So this woman hijacks the MIT graduation to make the whole thing about her personal beliefs about Israel, any insult to the Jewish students or others in attendance be damned. Selfish, self-aggrandizing, disrespectful & RUDE," Megyn Kelly wrote on X as Megha Vemuri's speech condemning her alma mater for its Israeli ties drew mixed response -- several of her classmates cheered and also protested Friday as MIT banned Vemuri from attending the rest of the event. MAGA commentators, some Indian commentators and many Jewish students criticized Vemuri and questioned why she needed to do that. Vemuri gave a different speech to the MIT administration which was approved but on the stage, she delivered a different one praising her classmates for protesting against Israel. "Last spring, MIT's undergraduate body and graduate student union voted overwhelmingly to cut ties with the genocidal Israeli military. You called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. And you stood in solidarity with the pro-Palestinian activists on campus. You faced threats, intimidation and suppression coming from all directions, especially your own university officials," Vemuri said. Jewish students walked out of the speech as Vemuri accused MIT of being complicit in the "ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people". What MIT said on Vemuri's speech Vemuri was barred from attending the rest of the event while MIT said they support free expression but they don't stand by what Vemuri did. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "With regard to MIT's Commencement 2025 activities, the speech delivered by a graduating senior at Thursday's OneMIT Commencement Ceremony was not the one that was provided by the speaker in advance. While that individual had a scheduled role at today's Undergraduate Degree Ceremony, she was notified that she would not be permitted at today's events," an MIT spokesperson said Friday. "MIT supports free expression but stands by its decision, which was in response to the individual deliberately and repeatedly misleading Commencement organizers and leading a protest from the stage, disrupting an important Institute ceremony," MIT said.
New York Post
9 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Canadian PM's daughter one of international students caught in Trump-Harvard row
The daughter of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney could be barred from returning to Harvard University in the fall thanks to the ongoing standoff between the Trump administration and the Ivy League school, The Post has learned. Cleo Carney, who grew up in London while her father was Governor of the Bank of England, just finished her freshman year at the embattled Cambridge-based institution. She's one of the nearly-7,000 international students whose time at Harvard could end after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem moved to terminate the school's student visa program for the 2025-2026 school year. 6 Cleo Carney introduced her father to the stage after he became Prime Minister in March. Associated Press The younger Carney is following in her father's footsteps, pursuing a bachelor's in economics at the university. Mark Carney — who spent a number of years south of the 49th parallel but now talks tough about the US — is a Harvard grad. Cleo is due to return in September for her second year of classes. Foreign students like Carney — who make up more than a quarter of Harvard's student body — could be forced to transfer to other institutions or lose their legal status after the university refused a request to turn over foreign students' records, including any video or audio of their protest activity in the past five years. Though a Massachusetts judge issued a preliminary injunction against the federal government Thursday, the saga is not over. 6 Cleo is following in her father's footsteps, studying economics at Harvard University. REUTERS 6 Cleo has been in the public eye since her father became Canada's new prime minister this spring. AP The White House confirmed Carney, along with other international students, would get the boot if the administration gets its way. 'The President's goal is clear: we will put America first, and that means our policies on everything from trade to immigration should benefit Americans, not other nations at the expense of our people,' a senior administration official told The Post. 6 President Trump has been fighting with Harvard University for months. REUTERS The row comes during what's already an especially tense time between the two nations, with Canadians enraged at President Trump's repeated threats to make the Great White North the 51st US state and a trade war between the two countries. The daughter of the prime minister isn't the only VIP international student whose future at the Ivy League is in jeopardy. 6 More than a quarter of Harvard's student body is international. REUTERS Belgium's Princess Elisabeth, 23, is working on a two-year master's degree in public policy at Harvard.. Belgium's Royal Palace said the heir to the throne was waiting to find out whether she can return to Harvard for her second year. 6 The future Queen of Belgium is doing a Master's in public policy at the Ivy League. Max Bueno / Belgian Royal Palace Trump this week said admitting more American students would make Harvard 'great again.' 'They can't get in because we have foreign students there,' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday. 'Harvard is treating our country with great disrespect.' Carney's office did not respond to The Post's request for comment.
