Harvard Failing Faster Than The Roman Empire

A crushing cancel culture, accusations of plagiarism, protests on campus, lawsuits, Congressional investigations, and big-dollar donors running for the door. Inside the campus turmoil, where the Emperor Charles has no clothes.

Rewrite of an article by  JON KELLER Titled Why Harvard University Is Failing at Everything

 In the early days of Claudine Gay's Harvard presidency, she faced a Congressional inquiry on rising campus antisemitism. 

This came amidst turmoil following an attack on Israel. Gay's responses, including her stance on calls for genocide, sparked controversy and international criticism. 

Despite Harvard's prestigious history, recent events have exposed flaws in its administration and academic standards. Grade inflation, leadership controversies, and declining rankings have tarnished its reputation. Moreover, the campus environment has become tense, alienating students and alumni. 

Harvard's missteps raise questions not just about its own value, but also about the broader purpose of higher education. As Harvard grapples with its identity and legacy, it confronts challenges to its once-unquestioned status.

Harvard, with its vast endowment of $50.7 billion, faces growing scrutiny and challenges. Despite its wealth, Harvard's academic progress and leadership have been questioned. The Allston campus project, initiated 18 years ago, has lagged behind MIT's biotech advancements in Kendall Square. 

This delay has led to a brain drain, with prominent scientists like Stuart Schreiber departing for better opportunities. Similarly, Harvard's Kennedy School, once known for producing public-sector leaders, now sees a significant portion of its graduates entering the private sector. Concerns about government skepticism among students and controversies over faculty dismissals further tarnish Harvard's reputation.

Grade inflation is rampant, with 79% of undergraduates receiving A grades in recent years. The campus environment fosters political intolerance, with conservative voices often marginalized. Harvard's handling of the Israel/Hamas conflict has resulted in legal complaints alleging discrimination and harassment. Additionally, infrastructure issues, such as heating and housing problems, have plagued student life.

These challenges raise questions about Harvard's ability to maintain its academic excellence and reputation in the face of evolving realities and increasing criticism.

Students and parents are increasingly critical of Harvard's campus conditions despite its immense wealth. Maintenance issues persist, with reports of peeling paint and disruptive renovations. Graduate students faced water shortages and damaged property, with Harvard officials offering inadequate compensation.

Harvard Square, an extension of the campus, suffers from neglect, contrasting with Boston University's efforts to revitalize its surroundings. The recent loss of major donors, like Tim Day, reflects dissatisfaction with Harvard's direction, particularly regarding diversity initiatives and responses to campus issues.

The university's endowment team's underperformance compounds financial challenges, prompting calls for reform from CFO Ritu Kalra. Concerns about antisemitism on campus persist, with Rabbi David Wolpe resigning from an advisory committee due to perceived inaction. Interim President Alan Garber's appointment of Professor Derek Penslar to address antisemitism further fuels controversy.

Criticism extends beyond Jewish concerns, with Professor Danielle Allen condemning disruptive protests as violations of university norms. Harvard's failure to address these issues raises doubts about its commitment to campus improvement and academic excellence.

Harvard is facing a multitude of challenges, including declining prestige, financial strain, discontent among students and faculty, and loss of support from alumni and donors. Despite these issues, there appears to be a lack of recognition among Harvard's leadership regarding the severity of the situation and how to address it.

In response to criticism, former Harvard President Claudine Gay attributed her resignation to external "demagogues" undermining the university's core values. However, Harvard's reliance on outside influences is not new, with significant funding from foreign governments contributing to concerns about intolerance and free expression on campus.

Transparency and openness are suggested remedies for Harvard's woes. The university's communication strategy has been criticized for its lack of engagement, hindering efforts to address internal and external challenges effectively.

Calls for change emphasize the need for humility, openness to diverse perspectives, and a proactive approach to addressing criticism. Harvard's failure to uphold its founding principles of excellence and truth raises questions about its future and relevance in academia.

In addition,

Harvard helped Nazi Germany improve its image in the West

The profound impact of Nazi policies on German academia during the 1930s, highlighted the systematic suppression of dissenting voices, particularly targeting Jewish scholars and those with left-leaning ideologies. It elucidated the coercive tactics employed by the Nazis to enforce ideological conformity within universities, such as the expulsion of Jewish faculty and the appointment of Nazi commissars to enforce compliance.

The account of Peter Drucker's experience at Frankfurt University poignantly illustrates the moral dilemmas faced by intellectuals in the face of totalitarianism. Drucker's decision to leave Germany underscores the chilling effect of Nazi control over academic institutions and the erosion of academic freedom.

Furthermore, the contrasting responses of intellectuals like Martin Heidegger demonstrate the complex interplay between ideology, opportunism, and moral compromise. Heidegger's collaboration with the Nazi regime exemplifies the betrayal of intellectual integrity in exchange for personal gain and ideological alignment.

The expulsion of renowned scholars like Albert Einstein symbolizes the devastating brain drain inflicted upon German academia by Nazi persecution, leading to the loss of invaluable intellectual capital and the disruption of scientific progress.

Research into Harvard's collaboration with Nazi Germany gains significance amid current debates on campus antisemitism framed as freedom of speech. Historians note Harvard's historical ties to Nazi Germany, indicating a pattern of reluctance to condemn evil regimes.

Harvard's recent controversies, including the resignation of President Claudine Gay and criticism for her response to calls for genocide against Jewish students, echo past instances of repressed antisemitism. Notably, Harvard's retention of a fellowship named after a top Nazi industrialist raises concerns about the university's response to antisemitism in light of substantial donations from Mideast regimes.

Harvard's history includes welcoming a top Nazi official, Ernst Hanfstaengl, in 1934, highlighting the university's complicity with the Nazi regime. Despite protests from students, Harvard administrators and alumni embraced Hanfstaengl, reflecting a pattern of insensitivity to antisemitic sentiments.

The legacy of Harvard's past leaders, such as A. Lawrence Lowell, who proposed quotas on Jewish student admissions, underscores the university's history of discrimination. Medoff suggests that Harvard's actions, like sending delegates to Nazi-controlled universities, illustrate a troubling pattern of support for oppressive regimes.

Also, Harvard's historical entanglements with Nazi Germany raise serious pertinent questions about its commitment to combating antisemitism and upholding democratic values.

Historian Stephen Norwood's book, "The Third Reich in the Ivory Tower: Complicity and Conflict on American Campuses," reveals Harvard's contribution to Nazi Germany's image rehabilitation efforts in the West. According to Norwood, Harvard's administration and student leaders provided significant support to the Hitler regime during its persecution of Jews and military expansion.

Norwood criticizes Harvard's president at the time, James B. Conant, for not only remaining silent on antisemitism but actively collaborating with it. Conant allowed Nazi symbols on campus, including a wreath bearing the swastika placed in a Harvard chapel by Germany's top diplomat in Boston. Additionally, Harvard's policies during the 1930s restricted Jewish refugees, particularly Jewish professors, from seeking refuge at the university.

Conant's belated condemnation of Nazism after the Kristallnacht pogrom in 1938 contrasts with his earlier actions. Despite Harvard's later rebuttal, Norwood provides evidence of Conant's efforts to foster friendly relationships with Nazi university leaders, even as they purged Jewish faculty and promoted antisemitic racial science.

Norwood's research also highlights other Harvard affiliates who sympathized with Hitler's regime, such as Dean Roscoe Pound of Harvard Law School, who praised Hitler's leadership during a visit to Germany.

Norwood emphasizes the role of American university presidents during this period, arguing that Harvard's choices were not inevitable, as demonstrated by the actions of other institutions like Williams College and British universities, which took stands against Nazi collaboration.

In conclusion, Norwood's book calls attention to the university's complicity with Nazism, urging a reassessment of Harvard’s historical legacy of “Everyone shall consider as the main end of his life and studies, to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life,” and its original motto “Veritas”, adopted by Harvard's in 1643, which is Latin for “truth,”!

Source:

https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2024/02/27/harvard-failure-2024/

Unmasking Civil Disobedience: Why USA and CDN Should Outlaw Masked Protesters

 

In the battle for social change, transparency and accountability are paramount. Masked protests not only obscure the true intentions of demonstrators but also undermine the foundations of civil society.

By outlawing masked protesters, the USA and Canada can reaffirm their commitment to open dialogue, peaceful dissent, and the rule of law. It is time to unmask civil disobedience and restore integrity to the democratic process.

In recent days, the sight of masked protesters especially on campuses has become increasingly common during demonstrations across North America. While the right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy, the use of masks to conceal one's identity raises significant concerns. It is time for both the USA and Canada to take a stand against this practice and outlaw masked protesters.

The Symbolism of Unmasking: Protesting is a fundamental right in any democracy, a powerful tool for citizens to voice their concerns and advocate for change. However, hiding behind masks undermines the transparency and accountability essential to effective activism. By concealing their identities, masked protesters obscure their motives and evade responsibility for their actions. This anonymity not only shields individuals from consequences but also fosters an environment ripe for violence and lawlessness.

Transparency in Civil Discourse: In a democratic society, open dialogue and transparency are essential for progress. When individuals choose to protest, they should do so with integrity and courage, standing behind their beliefs without fear or shame. Masked protesters send a message of distrust and defiance, detracting from the legitimacy of their cause. Requiring protesters to show their faces is not an infringement on their rights but rather a reaffirmation of the principles of transparency and accountability that underpin civil society.

Challenges of Masked Protesters: The anonymity provided by masks emboldens individuals to engage in acts of violence and vandalism under the guise of protest. This not only endangers public safety but also undermines the credibility of legitimate grievances. Moreover, the presence of masked protesters complicates law enforcement efforts, making it difficult to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. By outlawing masked protests, the USA and Canada can send a clear message that violence and intimidation have no place in civil discourse.

Addressing Student Union Complicity: Student unions, entrusted with representing the interests of their members, must also be held accountable for their actions. Allowing and even encouraging masked protests within their ranks sets a dangerous precedent, legitimizing behaviour that undermines the very foundations of democracy. Student leaders must recognize their responsibility to uphold the values of transparency and peaceful protest, rather than condoning acts of domestic terror.

Ending the Culture of Anonymity: The proliferation of masked protesters, often characterized by anarchist ideologies and criminal behaviour, threatens the fabric of civil society. It is incumbent upon lawmakers and judicial authorities to take decisive action to curb this trend. By outlawing masked protests and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, the USA and Canada can reaffirm their commitment to the rule of law and the principles of democracy.

Update Info:

Columbia Custodian Trapped by ‘Angry Mob’ Speaks Out

As the mob invaded Hamilton Hall in the early hours of April 30, a facilities worker was photographed pushing a demonstrator against a wall.

Later, it emerged that the protester was a 40-year-old trust fund kid named James Carlson, who owns a townhouse in Brooklyn worth $2.3 million.

The man who tried to hold him back was Mario Torres, 45, who has worked at Columbia—where the average janitor makes less than $19 an hour—for five years.

Torres was trying to “protect the building” when he ended up in an altercation with Carlson: “He had a Columbia hoodie on, and I managed to rip that hoodie off of him and expose his face.” (Carlson was later charged with five felonies, including burglary and reckless endangerment.) “I was freaking out. At that point, I’m thinking about my family. How was I gonna get out? Through the window?”

https://www.thefp.com/p/exclusive-columbia-custodian-trapped

Biden's Politics About Power and Appeasement NOT Americans First

Throughout his career, Joe Biden has opposed U.S. missile defence, and now that he is president, he could trade our defences in a deal with the Russians, Iranians or Chinese. 

That would be a dangerous mistake. The critical role of missile defence in national security strategy calls for a commitment to strengthen and expand these capabilities rather than considering them as bargaining chips in diplomatic negotiations at any time.

 

Even President Barack Obama, who was sympathetic to the idealist view of disarmament, and was caught on a hot mic talking to President Dmitry Medvedev suggesting he would negotiate on missile defence after the U.S. election, ultimately chose to not trade away missile defense with the Russians. And now the U.S. is firmly locked in a rivalry with not just one nuclear superpower, but two, and still contending with a nuclear rogue state.

 

Senator Joe Biden's and President Biden's historical positions on missile defence align more closely with political considerations than with safeguarding the American public. His political history shows that Biden has opposed missile defence initiatives, including the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which most recently has proven to enhance national security and protect American citizens including its allies from missile threats.

 

Biden's political history of opposition to missile defence, as outlined by his voting records and in numerous articles, has been driven by political motives rather than a genuine concern for national security or the citizens of the United States who elected him over the years.

 

Biden's opposition to President Reagan's SDI initiative and subsequent resistance to missile defence efforts under subsequent administrations, including President George W. Bush's plans to deploy and improve homeland missile defence, are proof of instances where political considerations influenced his stance.

 

The most vocal critic of the Reagan Doctrine for an American Strategic Defense Initiative and a strong voice for putting it on the bargaining table was Sen. Joe Biden. who said, “The president’s continued adherence to [SDI] constitutes one of the most reckless and irresponsible acts in the history of modern statecraft.”

 

The Biden and Democrats theory that missile defences might prompt an arms race between the United States and nuclear powers by degrading the certainty of “mutual vulnerability” has always been dubious. But after so many years of observing the impact of missile defences, we have mounting evidence that it is compatible with mutual offensive arms reductions. Missile defense is de-escalatory, has a deterrent effect, and most important, saves lives.

 

The missile defence system that Bush relied on in 2006, and which today provides protection for the American homeland, deployed forces, allies and friends, is based on the technology developed by the SDI program that Biden continually opposed. Had Biden had his way in the 1980s and the early 2000s, the U.S. would be vulnerable and exposed to adversaries’ missiles across the globe.

 

As far back as 1988 Joe Biden has shown Americans that he truly is unfit for office, in my view. Biden and the Democrats have always put their political standing for keeping power and getting reelected ahead of their position for the American people and its country, as history continues to show.

 

The Democrat's Opposition to the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI):

 

Opposition to SDI: The opposition to SDI primarily came from Democrats, including scientists and nuclear weapons experts. The opposition is framed as more politically motivated than based on technical or military concerns.

 

Political Context: The Democrats' opposition to SDI stemmed from broader political considerations. Democrats were already on the wrong side of economic policy, particularly about Reaganomics, and their opposition to SDI further complicated their political position.

 

Policy Stakes: SDI is portrayed as a radical departure from the policy of mutually assured destruction (MAD), offering a morally and practically superior alternative. However, the Democrats faced a political dilemma in responding to SDI, as endorsing it would mean ceding political ground to Reagan. as opposed to the safety of Americans.

 

Political Consequences: The success or failure of SDI would have significant political ramifications for the Democrats. If SDI succeeded, Democrats would face the challenge of admitting their opposition was wrong or persisting in their stance, which would become increasingly untenable.

 

Impact on Democrats: The political fortunes of the Democrats would be tied to the success or failure of SDI, with its success potentially detrimental to their political standing.

 

Overall, SDI was a politically charged issue that posed challenges for the Democrats, impacting both their policy positions and electoral prospects.

FACTS:

Technological Feasibility: Experts agree that the concept of basing ballistic missile interceptors in space is feasible. Advances in sensors, computing power, and networking have made the development of such a system more practical and potentially more effective than in previous decades.

Strategic Advantages: Space-based interceptors offer significant strategic advantages, particularly in engaging threats during the boost phase of missile flight. Intercepting missiles at this stage provides opportunities to pre-empt the deployment of countermeasures and ensures a higher likelihood of hitting all warheads, potentially over enemy territory.

Better Coverage and Positioning: Space-based interceptors would provide better coverage compared to ground-based systems, as they could defend against missile launches from virtually any location on Earth. Additionally, their orbital velocity offers positional advantages, reducing the distance to intercept and allowing multiple shots at incoming threats.

Dual Functionality: In addition to missile defence, space-based interceptors could potentially be used to target adversaries' satellites, countering threats to U.S. space systems and providing a defensive capability against anti-satellite weapons.

Deterrence: The development and deployment of space-based interceptors could serve as a deterrent against potential adversaries, signalling U.S. capabilities and resolve to protect against missile threats.

Sources:

https://www.csmonitor.com/1986/0609/estar.html

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2021/12/20/president-biden-dont-trade-away-missile-defense-with-the-russians/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Strategic-Defense-Initiative

https://www.britannica.com/topic/arms-control

http://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal85-1147419

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2017/6/30/pentagon-examining-options-for-space-based-missile-interceptors

https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile-defense-2020/#:~:text=Pursue%20a%20more%20robust%20and,to%20changing%20and%20emerging%20threats. 

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6351380207112

 

 

Stop Taxpayer Funding for Universities and Colleges

Stopping federal and state governments from using taxpayer funding for universities has potential benefits:

 

Redistribution of Resources: Cutting government funding could redistribute resources to other areas of need, infrastructure, debt reduction and most importantly Medicare and Social Security.

 

Fiscal Responsibility: It would promote fiscal responsibility and accountability within universities, encouraging them to use their resources more efficiently and transparently.

 

Reduce Dependence on Public Funds: Encourages universities not to rely less on public funds and use their endowments and become more self-sufficient, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in revenue generation.

 

Fairness: It addresses concerns about fairness by ensuring that wealthy institutions with substantial endowments contribute more than their fair share to society, especially when they benefit from tax-exempt status.

 

Budgetary Relief: Cutting government funding would provide budgetary relief for governments facing financial constraints, allowing funds to be allocated to other priorities such as Medicare and Social Security.

 

Here is a structured plan to strip elite universities of government funding and federal student loan dollars (taxpayer-funded) with key components ASAP.

 

Assessment of Current Funding Streams: A comprehensive review of the government funding and federal student loan dollars allocated to elite universities. This includes grants, research funding, student aid programs, and other forms of financial assistance is already available to lawmakers.

 

Establish Criteria for Elite Universities: Define criteria that determine which universities qualify as "elite." This must include factors such as endowment size, selectivity in admissions, academic reputation, research output, and financial resources.

 

Gradual Phase-Out Approach: Implement a 3-year phased approach to gradually reduce and eventually eliminate government funding and federal student loan dollars for elite universities over this 3-year predetermined timeframe. This allows universities to adjust their budgets and operations accordingly.

 

Redirect Funding to Priority Areas: Reallocate the government funding and student loan dollars saved from elite universities to prioritize areas such as border protection and reduction of debt.

 

Legislative Action: Draft and propose legislation to amend existing laws and regulations governing government funding and federal student loans to elite universities. This may involve changes to eligibility criteria, funding allocation formulas, or enforcement mechanisms.

 

Public Awareness and Support: Build public awareness and support for the plan by highlighting the rationale behind redirecting funding from elite universities to other priorities.

 

Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the plan and adjust as needed based on feedback and performance metrics.

 

Enforcement and Compliance: Enforce compliance with the new regulations and ensure that elite universities adhere to the revised funding guidelines. Implement penalties for non-compliance, such as fines, and loss of accreditation.

 

Long-Term Sustainability: Develop strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of the revised funding framework, including periodic reviews, updates to eligibility criteria, and ongoing dialogue with stakeholders.

 

By following this plan, policymakers can effectively strip elite universities of government funding and federal student loan dollars while promoting equal access to education and supporting priority areas for all Americans and not elite universities and colleges.

 

REASONS and FACTS for The PLAN:

The substantial taxpayer-funded financial resources available to Ivy League universities, from federal funding along with their private and corporate donated considerable endowments, raise questions about the allocation of these funds and their impact on affordability and access to higher education.

A newly released report, by Open the Books, an organization that aims to make public spending more transparent, shed light on the enormous sums of money the federal government (taxpayers) provides to Ivy League universities — and how that money is handled.

It concluded that in the six fiscal years between 2010 and 2015, $41.59 billion of the Ivy League’s money could be traced back to taxpayer-funded payments and benefits.

To put that in perspective, the average amount of money that the eight Ivy League schools received annually over that time — $4.31 billion — exceeds the amount of money received by 16 of the 50 states.

The report also examined Ivy League endowments, some of the country's largest. Penn’s endowment for 2015 was the fourth highest, at $10.1 billion. In 2016, it climbed to $10.7 billion.

The Ivy League’s total endowment is around $120 billion, which amounts to about $2 million per undergraduate student. A sum of that size could give every Ivy League student a full ride for the next 51 years.

Between 2010 and 2015, the eight schools received $23.89 billion in federal grants $10.6 billion of which came from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health.

Other sources of grant money were the National Science Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy.

Research grants and contracts weren’t the only forms of government support for Ivy League schools. The government also provides various forms of aid grants to colleges — in the six years the report investigated, Penn received $20,362,715 for the federal work-study program and $33,155,056 in Pell Grants.

The report also showed the comparatively low state funding Penn receives. While Cornell received $98.91 million from New York in 2015, Penn received just $19,233.

Financial aid at the Ivy League schools is most often need-based, which is offered based on a student’s financial need, rather than merit. However, the available range is generous, with many schools offering a zero-parent contribution for families of a certain income.

For example, students from families with an income of less than $85,000 can attend Harvard University for free. Additionally, Dartmouth College offers a scholarship covering at least the cost of tuition for families making under $125,000[55].

The number of students offered financial support is also reassuring with 62% of Princeton University undergraduates receiving financial aid for the Class of 2025. Many Ivy League schools also offer financial aid to international students.

Further, these schools also rely on significant federal funding. For example, in 2021 Harvard received $625 million in federal funds, or approximately 67% of the school’s total sponsored revenue that year.

From the government side, student financial aid accounts for the lion’s share of federal dollars that go to colleges and universities. In 2018, 65% of the $149 billion total in federal funds received by institutions of higher education went toward federal student aid. This covers scholarships, work-study and loans given to students for their educational expenses, according to USA Facts, a nonprofit site that collects government data.

In 2018, federal money made up 14% of all college revenue. About 3.6% of total federal spending went toward higher education investments.

Colleges and universities received $1.068 trillion in revenue from federal and non-federal funding sources in 2018.

The federal government directed 65% of its $149 billion investments to federal student aid which covers scholarships, work-study and loans given to students for their educational expenses.

Harvard University received the largest federal grant: $179 million from the National Institute of Health. Columbia University received the second largest grant, $165 million, invested from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hawaii, Alaska, and Vermont public universities had the largest revenues from federal grant and contract investments per student enrolled in public colleges and universities.

California, Texas, and Michigan public universities were the top recipients of federal grant and contract money in 2018, receiving a quarter of federal grant and contract revenue across all public universities.

States collectively allocated $11.7 billion (or 10.2 percent) more for higher education in the 2024 fiscal year than they did in 2023, significantly outpacing the rate of inflation and more than compensating for the continuing decline in federal recovery funds distributed through state governments.

The states spent a total of $126.452 billion in 2024, up from $114.734 billion in 2023.

Other states with increases of roughly 20 percent included Nevada (19.9 percent), New Mexico (19.2 percent), North Dakota (20.1 percent), South Carolina (24.2 percent) and Utah (21.8 percent).

State support for higher education declined by 12.3 percent in Vermont and by 8.7 percent in the much larger Pennsylvania.

Sources:

https://www.openthebooks.com/assets/1/7/Oversight_IvyLeagueInc_FINAL.pdf

https://shef.sheeo.org/grapevine/#about-grapevine

https://shef.sheeo.org/

https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_333.20.asp