Over the past few months, Harvard University has faced significant social, political, and legal turmoil, largely due to targeted challenges from the Trump administration against the school and its policies. The 2025 spring semester brought student movements and potent lawsuits against the federal government—all of which left the campus at the center of national attention. The University’s past and forthcoming decisions are continuing to receive increased scrutiny.
This spring, Harvard welcomed the newly admitted class of 2029. Unlike recent years, this admissions cycle marked the return of required standardized testing—a shift from the test-optional policy adopted from 2020 to 2024. The University also announced it would not release detailed admissions data regarding the number of applicants, class acceptance rate, and demographic breakdowns until the fall. This new choice comes two years after the SFFA v. Harvard ruling overturned affirmative action.
On May 13, the University named the successor to Dean Rakesh Khurana, who announced on Aug. 29 that he would be stepping down from the role after a decade. David Deming, Isabelle and Scott Black Professor of Political Economy at the Kennedy Schools and Faculty Dean of Kirkland House, will officially claim the title of Danoff Dean of Harvard College on July 1.
In addition to administrative leadership changes, Harvard announced a major expansion of its financial aid programs. On March 17, President Alan Garber ’76 revealed that, beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, Harvard College would be free for students from families earning $100,000 or less annually and tuition-free for those with household incomes up to $200,000. Families earning over $200,000 are still expected to cover a large share of costs, including housing, food, and other expenses.
On April 11, the U.S. Department of Education sent Harvard a letter outlining a series of requests for the institution to maintain its “financial relationship with the federal government.” The letter called for significant changes to admissions and diversity policies, including reducing the influence of students and non-tenured faculty in University governance, adopting merit-based hiring and admissions practices, and immediately dismantling all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Following this, Garber issued a university-wide email affirming Harvard’s refusal to comply with the federal government’s mandates. “The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” Garber wrote. Since then, the federal government has frozen $2.65 billion in grants to the University. Harvard filed a lawsuit to counter this move, asking a federal judge in Massachusetts to overturn the freeze and to restore any suspended or revoked federal funding.
Funding cuts have affected research in fields ranging from breast cancer and fertility to climate and antibiotic resistance. In response, President Garber pledged $250 million in institutional funds to sustain disrupted projects, while faculty and departments across the University brace for long-term financial strain.
Harvard’s stance has been echoed by members of the broader campus community. A series of student and faculty demonstrations has echoed the University’s tone in responding to the federal funding freeze and later executive orders, risking the academic status of international affiliates. On April 16, the Trump administration threatened to revoke Harvard’s certification to enroll international students unless the University provided detailed disciplinary records for student visa holders, prompting some faculty members, joined by students and staff, to organize a protest in Harvard Yard. On April 29, a second protest was held, this time led by the newly formed group Students for Freedom, calling on the University to resist federal demands to disclose information about international students. Despite these efforts, Harvard complied with a request from the Department of Homeland Security on April 30, releasing the requested data.
On May 22, the Trump administration revoked Harvard’s certification to enroll international students, placing the legal status of more than 6,800 international enrollees at risk. Citing insufficient compliance with a federal request for student records, Homeland Security suspended Harvard’s participation in the Student Exchange Visitor Program. The move prompted rapid legal pushback, with a federal judge in California issuing an emergency ruling to temporarily block the decision and protect students from immediate deportation.
In addition to political episodes, the year offered moments of celebration, reflection, and inspiration. On Feb. 3, Harvard welcomed Bill Gates for a conversation with Arthur Brooks, where the tech pioneer discussed his memoir “Source Code,” his upbringing, and his time at the College.
The Institute of Politics’ JFK Jr. Forum hosted a strong lineup of speakers, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, journalist Anderson Cooper, former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and former United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. Former President Joe Biden made a brief visit as well, in a private meeting with IOP staff and members.
Actor and singer Cynthia Erivo was honored as Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ Woman of the Year on Feb. 6, parading through Harvard Square before delivering a rousing rendition of “Defying Gravity” at the University’s Farkas Hall. Actor Jon Hamm received HPT’s 2025 Man of the Year award on Jan. 31.
Harvard also recognized outstanding student leadership this year through its annual awards for exceptional contributions to campus life. The Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American Association received the Inclusive Recruitment Award, and Harvard Undergraduate Women in Entrepreneurship was named Student Organization of the Year. Imani Fonfield ’25 was honored with the Senior Veritas Award, and Sirazam Murina ’26 with the Spirit of Harvard College Award. The Women’s Leadership Award was presented to Claire Yuan ’25, Namirah Quadir ’25, and Daniela Andrade ’25. These were some among the many students and groups celebrated for their impact on the Harvard community.
Abdullah Shahid ’27 and Caleb N. Thompson ’27 were elected as the new Harvard Undergraduate Association co-presidents on April 3. The pair campaigned on a platform of transparency and student advocacy, promising to take clear stances on issues directly affecting undergraduates. They have pledged to gather more representative student input and push back when student interests diverge from administrative decisions. Their term lasts until May 2026.
With the 2024-2025 academic year concluding, Harvard stands at a crossroads—grappling with external challenges, internal transitions, and a student body increasingly engaged in shaping its future.
Commencement for the Class of 2025 will take place on May 29. The University’s lawsuit against the Trump administration is scheduled for a hearing in Massachusetts on July 21.
Nashla Turcios ’28 (nashlaturcios@college.harvard.edu) writes News for the Harvard Independent.