Harvard Leaders Urged to Refrain from Commenting on Public Affairs

Harvard University has announced that its leadership will refrain from commenting on public issues following a divisive debate regarding Israel’s military operation against Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.

The “Institutional Voice” working group, established by university interim President Alan Garber in April, advised leadership against issuing official statements on public matters not directly related to the university’s core function, as reported by The Harvard Crimson student newspaper.

In an email, Garber indicated that he accepted the recommendations, which were also backed by the Harvard Corporation, the university’s highest governing body.

The report stated that in cases where there is disagreement on whether an issue is directly related to the university’s core function, the university should avoid making official statements to err on the side of caution.

This new policy will be applicable to all university administrators, governing board members, deans, department chairs, and faculty councils.

The controversies at Harvard began last fall when over 30 student groups blamed Israel for a terrorist attack by Hamas, prompting former President Claudine Gay to distance herself from the statement. Subsequently, in December, Gay’s remarks regarding genocide of Jews and allegations of plagiarism led to her resignation in January.

The university faced further unrest with a 20-day tent encampment by pro-Palestinian student protesters demanding divestment from businesses profiting from Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Following a settlement with the protesters, the encampment ended on May 14.

According to The Hill, the university announced the new policy reasoning that official statements on matters outside its expertise can compromise its academic integrity and credibility.

The working group’s recommendations align Harvard with peer institutions adopting institutional neutrality, although the university clarified it will not be entirely neutral due to its commitment to values like open inquiry and debate.