Harvard replaces diversity offices in ‘DEI purge’ after funding stripped

Harvard University has reportedly replaced its diversity offices in what has been described as a ‘DEI purge’ after its federal funding was frozen by President Donald Trump.

According to Harvard’s student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, a “DEI purge” took place earlier this month, which saw the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (which oversees Harvard’s undergraduate school and its PhD programs) reportedly shut down its diversity offices at the Massachusetts university.

The outlet reported that it was replaced by an “Office for Academic Culture and Community.”

On the same day, 9 July, websites affiliated with Harvard College that uplifted LGBTQ+ students, women and students of colour were removed, the newspaper alleged, putting the university’s stance in line with Trump’s orders on DEI policies.

Web pages for the Harvard College Women’s Centre, the Office for BGLTQ Student Life and the Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations now redirect users to the Office of Culture and Community. 

According to its website, the Office of Culture and Community encourages “exposure to and learning from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences”. CNN reports that the OCC was internally announced as a replacement to students on the same day that former websites were taken down.

Alumni group Crimson Courage wrote to Harvard President Alan Garber (10 July), according to CNN, calling out “the dismantling of diversity efforts at Harvard College and the FAS” and demanding that he reinstate DEI initiatives to “ensure that all students are safe and welcome”. 

“This is no time to step back from your refusal to allow the federal government to dictate how Harvard educates,” the group urged. “It’s time for courage, not capitulation.”

A White House official viewed the move as “a goodwill gesture” and called it “good news,” according to CNN. 

Although Harvard initially resisted Trump’s orders on DEI, it has changed its position after the Department of Education froze billions of dollars in federal funding to the Ivy League university. The list of demands included sweeping changes which would alter the university’s governance, hiring practices, and admissions processes.

Previously, Harvard President Alan Garber accused the federal government of attempting to “control the Harvard community”.

A hearing is set to be held 21 July between the university and the Trump administration in federal court to seek back the frozen federal funds. 

The Trump administration stopped Harvard’s ability to enrol international students in May this year, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the US needs “less LGBTQ+ graduate majors from Harvard” later that month.

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