The Harvard Kennedy School has unveiled contingency plans aimed at assisting international students amid ongoing legal challenges regarding visa bans under the Trump administration.
Dean Jeremy Weinstein expressed these initiatives in an email sent to the school community on Tuesday.
Weinstein noted the importance of alleviating the uncertainty many international students face, stating, “We will not officially launch these programs unless there is sufficient demand from students who are unable to come to the United States due to visa or entry restrictions.”
These plans emerged following a federal judge’s preliminary injunctions that blocked restrictions impacting international students on Friday and Monday.
Harvard University President Alan Garber had previously informed affiliates that the Kennedy School was developing alternatives for fall instruction should the legal proceedings not favor the institution.
The impact of the inability to host foreign students would be significant for the Kennedy School, where international students constitute roughly 52 percent of enrollment over the last five years.
With students hailing from over 100 countries, the school offers master’s degrees in public policy, public administration, and other related fields.
Weinstein reinforced the school’s commitment, stating, “To be clear, our top priority remains welcoming our new and returning students to campus — and the two preliminary injunctions are an important step toward making that happen.”
If the alternate programs become necessary, Weinstein expressed confidence in delivering a world-class experience for participating students.
The proposed alternative, designated HKS Global, would primarily rely on online coursework while hosting select in-person gatherings in various international cities.
These gatherings would include classes led by Harvard faculty along with additional activities.
For returning students unable to attend in the U.S., the Kennedy School has partnered with the University of Toronto’s Munk School.
These students would enroll as non-degree special students but could still partake in student life at the Munk School.
Upon completion of their studies, students would receive a Kennedy School degree.
The initiative requires approval from the New England Commission of Higher Education, as highlighted on the Kennedy School’s website.
Students interested in attending the Munk School must also apply for a Canadian visa by mid-July.
Janice Stein, the founding director of the Munk School, remarked on these unprecedented times and expressed readiness to collaborate with the Kennedy School.
She stated, “If Harvard Kennedy School international students are not able to complete their studies in Cambridge, Mass., the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy looks forward to providing shared academic and co-curricular experiences for students from both our schools.”
Pippa Norris, a lecturer in comparative politics at the Kennedy School, echoed support for the partnership with the Munk School, noting it as an institution comparable to Harvard.
Norris emphasized her adaptability in teaching, explaining plans for international students unable to attend in person.
Her approach would allow students to view lectures on their own schedules while engaging in online discussions regarding course materials.
With approximately 90 percent of her students being international, she believes this flexibility will help alleviate some of the challenges posed by current circumstances.
To assess interest in the contingency plans, the Kennedy School has requested international students to complete a survey by July 1.
As deadlines approach, students will need to make decisions by mid-July while the school remains committed to supporting those pursuing joint degrees with other Harvard institutions, such as the Law School or Business School.
These developments follow the Trump administration’s advocacy for a series of alterations at Harvard, targeting the university’s admissions processes, faculty hiring practices, and its diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Additionally, the administration has threatened repercussions including the potential revocation of the university’s tax-exempt status and the cancellation of substantial federal funding, totalling nearly $3 billion, which Harvard is contesting in court.
Harvard is reportedly re-engaging with the Trump administration to seek a resolution that does not compromise its academic freedom, a core value emphasized in its rejection of government demands earlier this year.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently criticized Harvard in a Washington Post op-ed, asserting that the administration would persist in its efforts to prevent student enrollment at the institution.
She claimed this action is due to Harvard’s non-compliance with requests from the Department of Homeland Security and an alleged fostering of antisemitic extremism.
In response to the latest actions, Harvard maintains its position that the administration’s attempts to bar its hosting of foreign students are unlawful, framing them not as protective measures for American interests but as part of a campaign against the university.
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