UPenn and Harvard received $19.7M from Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the past two years
Harvard and UPenn Receive Millions in Donations from Middle Eastern Sources
Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania have received a staggering $19,772,237 in donations over the past two years, with contributions coming from entities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, including their respective governments. This information was revealed through data collected by the Department of Education.
Under federal law, educational institutions that receive foreign donations totaling at least $250,000 are required to disclose these transactions to the Department of Education.
UPenn President Faces Calls for Resignation
The President of UPenn, Liz Magill, is currently facing mounting pressure to step down from her position.
According to the self-reported data from each university, which was reviewed by the Washington Examiner, Harvard and UPenn collectively received $13,442,954 from Saudi sources in 2022 and 2023, including donations from the Saudi government. Harvard received the majority of these funds, amounting to $10,919,274 over the past two years. This includes a notable $2,208,928 donation from the Saudi government reported in June, which will continue to support the university throughout the year.
Meanwhile, UPenn received $2,523,680 from Saudi sources, with only one donation coming directly from the Saudi government. This particular donation, totaling $1,247,323, was given to the school in February 2022.
The Qatari government, on the other hand, donated a significant sum of $6,329,283 to Harvard over the past two years. This includes a recent donation of $1,104,180 in May of this year. Additionally, Harvard received a donation of $379,119 in April. However, UPenn did not receive any funding from Qatari sources.
The issue of foreign donations from Middle Eastern sources and their potential influence on colleges and universities has garnered renewed attention, particularly in light of the rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses following the terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel on October 7. These attacks resulted in the loss of over 1,200 lives, with Hamas still holding several hostages.
Qatar, in particular, has faced criticism during the Israel-Hamas conflict due to its close relationship with Hamas terrorist leaders.
It remains unclear how exactly these colleges utilized the donations from Arab sources, as most universities do not disclose specific details regarding the allocation of funds.
A report from the Jewish Virtual Library in May 2023 analyzed 10,000 donations from Middle Eastern sources to U.S. colleges and found that only three were explicitly labeled as political. For instance, Brown University received $643,000 from a Palestinian source in 2020, which was used to establish a professorship in Palestinian Studies, as reported by the Jewish Virtual Library.
The issue of campus antisemitism took center stage during a congressional hearing, where UPenn President Liz Magill, Harvard President Claudine Gay, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth were invited to testify about the growing problem of antisemitism on college campuses. When questioned by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), all three presidents refused to state whether “calling for the genocide of Jews” constituted harassment that violated their schools’ codes of conduct.
In response to the hearing, the House Education and Workforce Committee announced an investigation into the campus environments and disciplinary policies of all three universities.
“The testimony we received earlier this week from Presidents Gay, Magill, and Kornbluth about the responses of Harvard, UPenn, and MIT to the rampant antisemitism displayed on their campuses by students and faculty was absolutely unacceptable,” stated Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) in an announcement regarding the investigation. “Committee members have deep concerns with their leadership and their failure to take steps to provide Jewish students the safe learning environment they are due under law.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to Harvard and UPenn for comment but did not receive a response.
Click here to read more from the Washington Examiner.
How are the Middle Eastern donations received by Harvard and UPenn being used and do they come with any conditions?
T these donations from Middle Eastern sources are being used by Harvard and UPenn, and whether they come with any strings attached. However, critics argue that such donations can potentially compromise the academic integrity and independence of these institutions.
The concern over foreign donations to American universities is not new. In recent years, there have been growing debates about the influence of foreign governments, particularly those with questionable human rights records, on educational institutions in the United States. Some argue that these donations could be used as a means to exert influence or promote certain ideological agendas.
While it is important to recognize the valuable contributions that foreign donations can make to educational institutions, transparency and accountability are crucial to ensure that these funds are not being used to advance ulterior motives or compromise academic freedom.
The Department of Education’s requirement for disclosure of foreign donations is an important step towards transparency. However, critics argue that the $250,000 threshold is too high and that all foreign donations should be disclosed, regardless of the amount.
The recent revelations about the significant donations received by Harvard and UPenn from Middle Eastern sources raise questions about the potential influence of these donations on the institutions’ activities, curriculum, and research. It is crucial that these institutions remain vigilant and ensure that their academic independence and integrity are not compromised.
In light of the rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses, it is also important to consider the potential impact of these donations on campus climate and the promotion of tolerance and diversity. Educational institutions have a responsibility to create safe and inclusive environments for all students, regardless of their background or beliefs.
Ultimately, the issue of foreign donations to American universities requires careful consideration and ongoing scrutiny. While these funds can contribute to the advancement of education and research, it is crucial to ensure that they do not compromise the core values and principles of these institutions. Transparency and accountability must be prioritized to maintain the integrity and independence of American higher education.
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