We are Harvard alumni standing up for academic freedom at Harvard and beyond
Higher education and academic freedom are under assault.
Harvard’s bold and principled risk in standing up for a free democratic society has already inspired other universities to do the same.
We hope you are moved to join the Crimson Courage community and to help us in our urgent defense of our alma mater and higher education across the nation. Please also consider an unrestricted donation of any amount to Harvard to signal that you support the University. Your donation will be tagged to Crimson Courage to let Harvard know where you stand.
Take Action
Statement on Accreditation Changes That Pose Danger to Academic Freedom and Student Aid
The Department of Education has proposed a sweeping and highly damaging politicization of the accreditation system that would undermine the quality and innovation of the U.S. higher education system, curtail academic and intellectual freedom, and harm students.
The time to act is now.
» By September 21: Submit a comment to the DOE
The U.S. higher education system is successful and admired around the world because it offers high-quality education, functions independently of political interference, and fosters innovative and ground-breaking research.
Accreditation in the U.S.—traditionally an apolitical process—plays a large role in that. Accreditors are independent organizations that evaluate a school's academics, admissions, faculty, student outcomes, governance, compliance with federal regulations, and more in order to ensure educational quality and institutional integrity. Importantly, a college or university must be accredited in order to receive federal money for student financial aid.
The accreditation rule changes proposed by the DOE would politicize this powerful gate-keeping function to bring our colleges and universities to heel and would, in the process, undermine the very strengths that make U.S. schools exemplary.
The federal government could exert ideological control over what is taught and researched. The new rules would require accreditors to evaluate whether "a range of academic perspectives" could be expressed among the faculty and whether the school has policies that "support, promote, and appropriately prioritize intellectual diversity." This would require accreditors to monitor and evaluate "intellectual diversity" and "academic perspectives" on campus, although no definitions or guidelines exist. To protect themselves, colleges would likely prioritize faculty and curricula that are clearly in line with the federal government's favored perspectives. This completely overthrows academic freedom, which relies on peer review and subject matter experts to determine which topics and views are at the forefront of a field, rather than political functionaries.
Vague language and requirements that are likely illegal will pressure schools into overcompliance with a politicized agenda. Once more, the Department of Education is attempting to weaponize skewed definitions of "civil rights" and "discrimination" and thereby shut down any efforts on behalf of diversity, equity, or inclusion. For example, the proposed rule prohibits accreditors from encouraging schools to "provide any preferences on the basis of race," implying that this would be a violation of federal law. However, allowing affinity groups based on race, providing counseling for students who face racial discrimination, and offering other forms of student support are not illegal. Still, to protect themselves, schools may opt to slash services and programs that could lead to costly and risky legal battles.
Safeguards for quality would be undermined. Given the government's preference for accreditors that are more likely to comply with its agenda, the proposed rule would encourage new and inexperienced accreditors to enter the field with few barriers to entry. In turn, accreditors are encouraged to reduce barriers for schools offering "new educational models," perhaps encouraging schools to adopt unproven instructional models. And at the same time, schools would no longer need to conduct self-studies or participate in peer review to confirm they are meeting their institutional missions and objectives. Taken together, these proposals would likely diminish the overall quality of higher education in the U.S. and leave many students with low-quality educations and worthless degrees.
Your voice makes a difference: Submit a comment to the DOE rejecting these proposed regulations by September 21. The DOE is obligated to respond to all "significant" comments that demonstrate the potential harmful impact.
» Alumni: Read and sign our letter to Harvard
Statement on Proposed Tax Changes Punishing Support for Students
Read full statement and take action
On September 3, 2026, The Treasury and the IRS proposed new regulations that would deny tax-exempt status to any private educational institution that offers any support for minority students, including clubs, athletics, programming, counseling, and scholarships. If adopted, it would take effect June 1, 2027. Coupled with the accreditation threat that could take effect in July 2027, this could effectively hobble Harvard and other universities, constraining independence, chilling academic freedom, and narrowing access to higher education.
The federal government should not use its power over universities' funding to reduce support and opportunities for all students.
This is yet another salvo in the federal government's campaign to control and diminish Harvard.
Weaponizing the IRS to punish organizations over political disagreements is oppressive, outrageous, and dangerous to our democracy.
Losing tax-exempt status would have devastating consequences.
These regulations would severely reduce opportunities for all students.
Providing support is an investment in educational opportunity and institutional excellence, not discrimination.
Harvard must stand strong and resist this dangerous threat.
Your voice makes a difference: Submit a comment to the IRS rejecting these proposed regulations by November 3.
» By November 3: Submit a comment to the IRS
Statement on Department of Education’s August Letter
Read full statement and take action
On August 3, 2026, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon issued a "National Call to Action" addressed to university presidents and governing boards. In it, she asked them to respond to a number of questions designed, in her words, to "rebuild public confidence and trust." She requested they post these responses in writing on their websites by the end of this calendar year. However, this letter is far from a benign request.
The DOE letter is the latest attempt by the current administration in its campaign to exert political control over what is taught and even thought in universities, Harvard in particular.
Softening the language does not change its coercive intent.
As a keystone in the edifice of U.S. higher education, Harvard has a responsibility to lead.
Harvard's administration should clearly, publicly, and adamantly state the University's refusal to accede to this so-called request.
What You Can Do
Contact President Garber (president@harvard.edu) and share your view of the DOE's letter and what Harvard should do.
Where We Stand
Earlier Statements by Crimson Courage
March 20, 2026: On new legal attack by the federal government curtailing freedom of speech
June 27, 2025: On forced resignation of UVA president, James E. Ryan
February 4, 2025: On dangers of capitulating to the federal government’s billion-dollar threat
Open Letters to Harvard from Crimson Courage in 2025
Click on the date to read each letter
November 19: A joint sign-on letter from Crimson Courage and Stand Up for Yale asking both universities to protect academic freedom
October 21: Urging a strong public stance on the “Compact” and protection of academic freedom
August 1: A sign-on letter calling for Harvard to uphold its independence; reject political interference; safeguard academic integrity; refuse punitive financial penalties; protect students, researchers, faculty, and staff; and establish direct, ongoing engagement with the University community. Add your name to the over 17,000 signers—no Harvard affiliation is required. Read and sign.
July 10: Stating deep concern at the shuttering of offices and institutions focused on minority, female, and LGBTQ students in capitulation to the unreasonable demands of the federal government
June 23: Urging the President, Fellows, Alumni Association, and Deans of all 12 Harvard schools to resist compromising our values or integrity in any sort of deal with the federal government
Events
Courage Counts: Where We Are and the Way Forward
This lively Alumni Day discussion of academic freedom and democracy featured:
Representative Jamie Raskin
Professor Kathryn Sikkink
Professor Randall Kennedy
Professor Alex Keyssar
and more!
» Watch on YouTube
Crimson Courage News
Harvard Wins Decisive Victory in Lawsuit
Crimson Courage, the Harvard grass-roots alumni group, applauds US District Judge Allison D. Burroughs’ summary judgement against the cancellation of $2.7 billion of research grants to Harvard.
According to Crimson Courage’s legal adviser, Anurima Bhargava, “This is an unabashed win. This win is not only for academic freedom and civil liberties at Harvard, but also a testament to the courage of the students, faculty, employees and alumni who have spoken truth to power on the behalf of higher education, human rights and civil society.”
In the words of Judge Burroughs, “Now it is the job of the courts to similarly step up, to act to safeguard academic freedom and freedom of speech as required by the Constitution, and to ensure that important research is not improperly subjected to arbitrary and procedurally infirm grant terminations, even if doing so risks the wrath of a government committed to its agenda no matter the cost.”
Academic freedom is not transactional: it is the first principle for free inquiry, civil discourse and the preservation of democracy. We will continue the fight for our constitutional rights for students, faculty, workers and all of society. The battle is just beginning.
» Read the full decision
More than 12,000 Harvard Alumni Sign Amicus Brief in Support of Academic Freedom and Institutional Independence
On June 9, 2025, in a historic show of solidarity, more than 12,000 Harvard alumni from all 50 U.S. states and countries around the world have submitted the largest known alumni brief in American history: an amicus curiae brief in support of Harvard in President and Fellows of Harvard College v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, now pending before Judge Allison Burroughs in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The lawsuit challenges the Trump Administration’s decision to withhold $2.2 billion in funding as part of its escalating and unlawful campaign of coercion and retaliation against Harvard (Harvard's legal complaint can be found here.).
The amicus brief—drafted by attorneys who are Harvard alumni—is an unprecedented instance of individual Harvard alumni taking legal action together, and includes alumni from all of Harvard’s degree-granting schools. Alumni—across generations, professions, political affiliations, geographies, and backgrounds—speak to their shared commitment to truth, service, academic independence and the central place of education in American life.
» Read the alumni amicus brief as filed
The amicus brief was open for signature by Harvard degree holders from any school or department in the university, irrespective of nationality or citizenship.
» Read the list of Harvard signatories
Join Our Community
By joining the grassroots Crimson Courage community, you gain opportunities to:
Support Harvard’s freedom from government interference;
Endorse academic freedom and freedom of speech;
Oppose federal efforts to suppress voices, censor vital scholarship, and diminish the presence of varied populations and viewpoints;
Improve on-campus communication and mutual respect among people from different backgrounds;
Collaborate with other universities and organizations in advocacy for independent higher education nationally; and
Add your voice to the dialogue surrounding issues of academic independence across the nation.
Support Crimson Courage by joining our email list, volunteering, and/or donating.
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Watch our September 9 Webinar
Harvard's Landmark Court Victory: The Decision, Implications, and Ways Forward (Co-hosted with Democracy House)
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