Harvard University to refrain from commenting on external public affairs

Harvard University has made a significant decision to no longer comment on public matters that do not directly concern the school’s core function. This announcement comes after months of controversy surrounding the Ivy League institution’s statements on global issues, particularly the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The new policy, recommended by Harvard’s Institutional Voice Working Group, aims to prevent the university from appearing biased or taking sides on complex geopolitical issues. The group emphasized that issuing official statements on such matters could alienate members of the community and compromise the institution’s integrity.

Former President Claudine Gay faced backlash for her comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict, which led to her resignation amid plagiarism allegations. The working group’s report highlighted the challenges of maintaining the university’s credibility when commenting on issues outside its expertise.

Moving forward, Harvard will focus on discussions within the classroom rather than issuing official statements on wars or global events. The university will decline requests for comments on public matters, citing the new policy as the reason.

This decision comes shortly after Harvard’s commencement speaker criticized the school for denying diplomas to students involved in an anti-Israel campus encampment. The controversy surrounding Harvard’s stance on global issues continues to spark debate and scrutiny within the university community.