The Trump administration has turned its scrutiny toward the University of California, Berkeley, accusing it of not disclosing millions in foreign funding. This action took place on a Friday and was part of a broader effort to enforce an obscure federal rule amid a growing trend aimed at tightening oversight on America’s premier research institutions. UC Berkeley now joins Harvard University as the second elite institution facing investigation this month for failing to comply with the stipulations of Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965. This particular section mandates that any foreign source gifts and contracts exceeding $250,000 must be disclosed. The inquiry into Harvard was announced just a week prior to Berkeley’s case. In response to these ongoing issues, President Trump signed an executive order instructing the Department of Education to intensify enforcement of this rule. The Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, emphasized the urgency of examining UC Berkeley’s potential shortcomings in fully and accurately reporting the significant funds received from international sources. In a statement, Dan Mogulof, assistant vice chancellor of UC Berkeley’s communications and public affairs, acknowledged the university’s existing cooperation with federal inquiries concerning Section 117 reporting over the last two years. Mogulof confirmed that UC Berkeley is committed to continuing its collaboration with federal authorities on this matter. The intensified audits mark a part of a wider administrative initiative targeting elite universities across the nation. This campaign coincides with the implementation of Project 2025, a blueprint for potential Trump administration policies that highlighted Section 117 as a vehicle for reclaiming federal funding from prestigious universities. Such actions could have dire consequences for critical research initiatives, as experts warn that they represent existential threats to the structure of research universities in the country. Kevin Kinser, a professor of education policy at Penn State University, articulated concerns about how these investigations could disrupt global partnerships that define world-class universities. The University of California system is already suffering as it faces huge federal funding cuts, student visa cancellations, and ongoing investigations by the Justice Department into issues related to admissions and allegations of antisemitism. Harvard University, despite its status as the wealthiest institution in the world, has become an unlikely symbol of resistance, successfully rebuffing the Trump administration’s extensive control demands. These newfound challenges concerning Section 117 could further alienate universities that are already in a precarious position. The prevalent international partnerships, from collaborations with the Indian Institute of Technology to the Persian Gulf campuses of Georgetown, Texas A&M, and NYU, are viewed by proponents as vital for driving innovation and maintaining academic standards. However, critics maintain that accepting foreign funding poses risks, arguing that it may compromise the integrity of American education by allowing foreign entities to exert influence over U.S. students and potentially endangering American intellectual property. As the executive order of the Trump administration asserts, there is a critical need for transparency regarding the flow of foreign funds into American higher education and research institutions, especially in light of national security interests. The most recent investigation into UC Berkeley also reinvigorates a 2023 House subcommittee probe focused on the Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, an established partnership that began in 2016, which has engaged in numerous research ventures, including projects aimed at clean energy and climate change. Tsinghua University, located in China, has also set up similar partnerships with other institutions such as the University of Washington, Indiana University, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, illustrating a broader trend in academic collaboration. Financial records indicate that Tsinghua allocated substantial funds to the UC Regents, contributing $2.5 million in both 2018 and 2019 and an even larger sum of $4.5 million in 2017 to advance collaborative efforts.
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