Latest news with #JeremyWeinstein
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Harvard, University of Toronto make contingency plan to allow foreign students to study if barred from US
Harvard University and the University of Toronto have revealed a contingency plan that would allow select international Harvard graduate students to continue their education in Canada if the Trump administration's plan to impose U.S. visa restrictions and prevent them from re-entering the U.S. is upheld by the courts. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security moved last month to terminate Harvard's ability to enroll international students after the university allegedly failed to provide extensive behavioral records of student visa holders the agency had requested, including footage of protest activity involving student visa holders, even if it's not criminal, and the disciplinary records of all student visa holders in the past five years. A federal judge has since blocked the government's effort to end the university's visa program. Harvard Kennedy School Announces Layoffs After Trump Cut Billions In Funding Because of potential U.S. visa challenges, students at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government who may be unable to return to the U.S. will be given the option to continue their studies through a visiting student program at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. The program would combine courses taught by Kennedy and Munk faculty members, according to the deans of both institutions. Read On The Fox News App The contingency plans were released to ease student uncertainty, but will only be used if there is enough demand from students unable to enter the U.S. over potential visa or entry restrictions, the deans said in a statement. "With these contingency plans in place, HKS will be able to continue to provide a world-class public policy education to all of our students, even if they cannot make it to our campus this year," Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy Weinstein said. The program will be available to international students who have already completed one year at the U.S. campus. The Trump administration has moved to cut billions of dollars in federal research funding for Harvard, in part, over its handling of alleged antisemitism and violence on campus amid anti-Israel protests sparked by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Weinstein announced staff layoffs at Kennedy in a recent email to faculty and staff, citing "unprecedented new headwinds" creating "significant financial challenges," including a "substantial proposed increase in the endowment tax" and "massive cuts to federal funding of research." Harvard Weighs How To Strike Deal With Trump Admin Without Looking Like It Caved: Report Over the past five years, more than 50% of Kennedy students have come from outside the U.S., the school's media office said. A total of 739 students from 92 countries in programs aimed at developing leadership in public policy and government are enrolled at the school, according to the Harvard International Office website. Reuters contributed to this article source: Harvard, University of Toronto make contingency plan to allow foreign students to study if barred from US
New York Post
17 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Harvard, University of Toronto make contingency plan to allow foreign students to study if barred from US
Harvard University and the University of Toronto have revealed a contingency plan that would allow select international Harvard graduate students to continue their education in Canada if the Trump administration's plan to impose US visa restrictions and prevent them from re-entering the US is upheld by the courts. The US Department of Homeland Security moved last month to terminate Harvard's ability to enroll international students after the university allegedly failed to provide extensive behavioral records of student visa holders the agency had requested, including footage of protest activity involving student visa holders, even if it's not criminal, and the disciplinary records of all student visa holders in the past five years. A federal judge has since blocked the government's effort to end the university's visa program. Because of potential US visa challenges, students at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government who may be unable to return to the US will be given the option to continue their studies through a visiting student program at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. The program would combine courses taught by Kennedy and Munk faculty members, according to the deans of both institutions. The contingency plans were released to ease student uncertainty, but will only be used if there is enough demand from students unable to enter the US over potential visa or entry restrictions, the deans said in a statement. The Trump administration has moved to cut billions of dollars in federal research funding for Harvard. 'With these contingency plans in place, HKS will be able to continue to provide a world-class public policy education to all of our students, even if they cannot make it to our campus this year,' Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy Weinstein said. The program will be available to international students who have already completed one year at the US campus. The Trump administration has moved to cut billions of dollars in federal research funding for Harvard, in part, over its handling of alleged antisemitism and violence on campus amid anti-Israel protests sparked by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Harvard University and the University of Toronto released contingency plans to ease student uncertainty about potential visa restrictions. AFP via Getty Images Weinstein announced staff layoffs at Kennedy in a recent email to faculty and staff, citing 'unprecedented new headwinds' creating 'significant financial challenges,' including a 'substantial proposed increase in the endowment tax' and 'massive cuts to federal funding of research.' Over the past five years, more than 50% of Kennedy students have come from outside the US, the school's media office said. A total of 739 students from 92 countries in programs aimed at developing leadership in public policy and government are enrolled at the school, according to the Harvard International Office website.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Harvard Finds International Student Lifeline Amid Trump Visa Showdown
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Harvard Kennedy School of Government (HKS) has brokered a deal with the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy to accept foreign students should the Trump administration succeed in blocking Harvard from enrolling them. In remarks provided to Newsweek via email, HKS Dean Jeremy Weinstein thanked the Munk School—"and other partners"—for their help "to ensure that we can continue to provide all HKS students with the excellent education they deserve. In similar remarks, Munk School Dean Janice Stein said that the agreement arose out of "exceptional times" and that the school "looks forward to providing shared academic and co-curricular experiences for students from both our schools." Why It Matters President Donald Trump targeted Harvard University and other higher education institutions, aiming to limit pro-Palestinian activism and end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. While Columbia University in New York City agreed to work with the administration, Harvard has refused to bow to its demands. In response, Trump canceled or froze billions of dollars in grants and contracts and attempted to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status. The president then tried to block the school from enrolling foreign students, but this past week, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a preliminary injunction that extends a temporary order she had issued earlier this month that halted Trump's June 4 proclamation blocking foreign students from attending Harvard. University spokesperson Jason Newton said in a statement to Newsweek that the order will "continue to allow Harvard to host international students and scholars while this case moves forward." Signage for the Harvard Kennedy School of Government is pictured on July 8, 2020, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Signage for the Harvard Kennedy School of Government is pictured on July 8, 2020, in Cambridge, To Know Weinstein in a letter to students on Friday announced contingency plans in the event that the Trump administration ultimately wins its case and is able to block international students from enrolling at Harvard and it schools. Among those plans are the HKS Global program for new and returning students, in which they could take online classes and attend three intensive, in-person "convenings" in cities around the world led by HKS faculty. The other option is for returning students to attend the HKS at Munk School program, which would include a mix of online and in-person lessons taught by HKS faculty and instructors from the University of Toronto. "We are announcing these contingency plans now to alleviate the uncertainty many students feel, but we will not officially launch these programs unless there is sufficient demand from students who are unable to come to the United States due to visa or entry restrictions," Weinstein wrote. "If these programs become necessary, I am fully confident that we will provide a world-class HKS experience for any student who participates in them." According to information available on the HKS website, the goal of this program is to ensure students still receive their Harvard diplomas, which can only happen if students take "a certain percentage of their courses exclusively with HKS faculty"—excluding the possibility of students bypassing the issue by using the "visiting students" program at Munk. HKS currently enrolls students from over 100 countries, comprising an average of 52 percent of classes, according to a school spokesperson. In a YouGov poll surveying 3,717 American adults on May 23, 57 percent found it unacceptable for the federal government to block a university's ability to enroll international students, while the remainder of those surveyed were split evenly between finding it acceptable or saying they were unsure. What People Are Saying Weinstein, in comments shared with Newsweek: "At Harvard Kennedy School, we bring together the world's best students –– from the United States and across the world –– and train them to tackle the world's biggest problems. With these contingency plans in place, HKS will be able to continue to provide a world-class public policy education to all of our students, even if they cannot make it to our campus this year. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Munk School and other partners, who are helping to ensure that we can continue to provide all HKS students with the excellent education they deserve." Stein, in comments shared with Newsweek: "These are exceptional times. If Harvard Kennedy School international students are not able to complete their studies in Cambridge. Mass., the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy looks forward to providing shared academic and co-curricular experiences for students from both our schools." Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, said in a previous statement to Newsweek: "It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. The Trump administration is committed to restoring common sense to our student visa system; no lawsuit, this or any other, is going to change that. We have the law, the facts, and common sense on our side." Trump wrote on Truth Social last week: "Many people have been asking what is going on with Harvard University and their largescale improprieties that we have been addressing, looking for a solution. We have been working closely with Harvard, and it is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so." He added: "They have acted extremely appropriately during these negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right. If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly' HISTORIC, and very good for our Country. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" What Happens Next The case will continue to work its way up to the Supreme Court, where Harvard University and the Trump administration will seek a final resolution. Should the administration succeed, the university will have these programs ready to launch. As Trump indicated in his Truth Social post, the university and administration may reach a deal before the case is settled in court.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
University of Toronto agrees to host Harvard students facing Trump visa restrictions
Harvard University and the University of Toronto and have announced a plan that would see some Harvard students complete their studies in Canada if visa restrictions prevent them from they're barred from entering the United States. The pact between the two schools reflects the tumultuous and 'exceptional' politics of the postsecondary world during the second term of US president Donald Trump. The deal is between the Harvard John F Kennedy School of Government and the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Jeremy Weinstein, the Harvard Kennedy School dean, said in a letter to students the plans are meant to ease concerns but a formal program would only be unveiled if there is 'sufficient demand' from students who are unable to come to the United States. 'We are deeply grateful for the support of the Munk School and other partners, who are helping to ensure that we can continue to provide all HKS students with the excellent education they deserve,' he said. Harvard is locked in an acrimonious legal battle with the Trump administration after it claims the Department of Homeland Security improperly revoked its ability to enrol international students. Nearly a quarter of Harvard's students come from outside the US and are a key source of funding for the school. Harvard has so far won two preliminary injunctions against the DHS, probably clearing a path for international students to obtain entry visas. 'These are exceptional times,' Janice Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, said in a statement. 'If Harvard Kennedy School international students are not able to complete their studies in Cambridge, Mass., the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy looks forward to providing shared academic and co-curricular experiences for students from both our schools.' In addition to the HKS at Munk School program, the schools also announced HKS Global, which will have both an online and in-person component. Harvard students attending the University of Toronto will still have to apply for Canadian study permits and would be enrolled as full-time, non-degree students at the Munk school. The future program is only open to students who have already completed a year of study the United States. Canada has put its own cap on international students and curtailed the amount of visas it will issue. The University of Toronto said the plan with Harvard 'would not reduce the number of spaces available for U of T students in any academic programs or in university housing'.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Harvard Kennedy School announces layoffs after Trump cuts billions in funding
The Harvard Kennedy School of Government will lay off staff after federal funding cuts and endowment tax threats on Wednesday, according to an email from the dean of the school that was obtained by Fox News Digital. Without mentioning the Trump administration directly, Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy M. Weinstein announced in an email to faculty and staff that the cuts were in response to "unprecedented new headwinds" creating "significant financial challenges." These included a "substantial proposed increase in the endowment tax" and "massive cuts to federal funding of research." He also cited the impact on international student enrollment after the administration eliminated the student visa program due to "pro-terrorist conduct" at Harvard's campus protests. According to the Kennedy School, international students made up 59 percent of the school's student body last year, and 52 percent on average in the past five years. The Kennedy School has been planning for budget cuts since February, but the White House's recent actions appear to have exacerbated the circumstances. The Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in funding to the university and threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status due to its handling of antisemitism on campus in the wake of the October 7 terror attacks on Israel by Hamas. The Department of Education's Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism released a statement on May 13, citing recent reporting that "has exposed the Harvard Law Review's (HLR) pattern of endemic race discrimination when evaluating articles for inclusion in its journal." The findings resulted in the Trump administration cutting an additional $450 million in grants from the university. In addition to layoffs, Harvard has implemented "important steps" to reduce costs across the Kennedy School, Weinstein said, such as pauses in hiring and merit-based pay, ending a lease on the first floor of an office building, halting "non-urgent" construction and renovation projects, and "reducing spending" across each core department. "Unfortunately, those efforts alone will not be enough to address our current financial challenges," the dean wrote. "As a result, we need to lay off some members of our team and restructure other positions to ensure the long-term financial future of the Kennedy School." Weinstein stated that managers would inform staff affected by the layoffs on Wednesday afternoon. "This is an extremely difficult moment, and one that we did everything possible to avoid," Weinstein added. "I am truly sorry that we need to take this step as we navigate unprecedented challenges as a School and University," Weinstein wrote, while also noting that the administration's actions caused "even greater financial uncertainty." The Harvard Kennedy School declined to disclose to Fox News Digital how many staff members were laid off. The Harvard School of Public Health implemented layoffs in April and other schools are considering cutting staff as well, the Harvard Crimson reported Thursday. The Trump administration did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
