Former U.S. President Donald Trump has signed two new executive orders aimed at changing how universities operate across the country. The new rules focus on two main issues: foreign donations to American colleges and the use of race or gender in admissions. These moves have sparked debate nationwide and once again placed Harvard University at the center of attention.
Foreign Donations Face New Transparency Rules
One of the orders calls for tougher rules on how colleges report money they receive from foreign sources. The Trump administration says that schools like Harvard have not always followed current laws that require them to share details about large overseas donations.
The White House argues that more transparency is needed to protect national security. “We must ensure our universities are not being influenced by foreign governments behind the scenes,” said a senior administration official during a press briefing.
Universities will now need to file regular reports about all gifts and grants from foreign sources over $50,000. If they fail to do so, they risk losing federal funding. The Department of Education will also increase audits to catch violations.
Shift from Identity to Merit-Based Admissions
The second executive order targets how universities select students. It encourages colleges to base admissions mostly on academic performance, not on race, gender, or personal background. This marks a major shift from current diversity programs.
The administration believes that race-conscious admissions are unfair to top-performing students who may be overlooked. “We are restoring fairness and excellence to education,” said Trump in a televised announcement. “Admissions should reward hard work, not identity politics.”
Critics say this could weaken efforts to include students from underrepresented communities. But supporters argue that it will raise academic standards and remove bias from the process.
Harvard at the Center of the Storm
Harvard University has become a key figure in this conflict. The institution has refused several requests from the Trump administration in the past. These include demands to shut down its diversity offices and to cooperate with immigration authorities on student visa checks.
In response, the government froze billions in federal research funding for the university. This move drew both support and criticism from across the political spectrum.
“This is about much more than Harvard,” said education analyst Laura Chen. “It’s a battle over who gets to shape the future of American higher education—the federal government or the universities themselves.”
Critics Warn of Political Overreach
Many experts warn that these orders could reduce university independence. They say that government interference may harm academic freedom and innovation. Some fear it could also lead to a brain drain if top researchers and students choose to study or work in other countries with less restrictive rules.
The American Council on Education released a statement urging caution. “While transparency and fairness are important, universities must remain places of open thought and learning,” the group said.
Broader Impact on the Education System
These new orders could affect hundreds of colleges and millions of students across the United States. Schools will need to adjust their policies quickly to stay in compliance and avoid penalties.
Supporters of the orders believe they will help clean up higher education and bring it back to core values like hard work and merit. Opponents argue that the changes may lead to less diversity and more political control of what should be independent institutions.
The new executive actions mark a key moment in the long-running debate over the role of government in education. Whether these policies bring positive change or spark more conflict remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that America’s top universities, including Harvard, are once again in the spotlight.