Graduation ceremonies at Harvard University will now go back to what it was following threats from the Department of Education against DEI. The school has descided to stop hosting affinity group graduation celebrations.
In an email sent to student affinity groups last 28 April, the university stated that these groups would no longer receive "funding, staffing, or spaces for affinity celebrations."
"Harvard remains committed to building a community where individuals who bring a broad array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together to learn, grow, and thrive, and equally committed to complying with the law," University spokesperson Jason A. Newton said, per The Harvard Crimson.
The email continued, "We stand ready to address questions or concerns you may have during this transition."
Harvard was one of many schools that received threats to its federal funding from the US Department of Education if it did not comply with President Donald Trump administration’s mandates to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. After Harvard University President Alan M. Garber revealed the university’s refusal to comply with Trump’s demands, the Ivy League continued to face threats of a multibillion-dollar funding freeze from the U.S. Department of Education.
During its 2024 commencement, Harvard reportedly hosted 10 affinity celebrations for Arab, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, first-generation, low-income, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Desi graduates.
In response to this news, Harvard’s Black Alumni Society has launched an emergency fundraising campaign of US$ 50,000 to fund the 2025 Black graduation celebration.
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