Penn and Harvard received $19.7 million 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.
Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) expressed deep concerns about the leadership of Harvard, UPenn, and MIT, stating that their failure to address rampant antisemitism on their campuses and provide Jewish students with a safe learning environment is unacceptable. This investigation aims to hold these institutions accountable.
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.
What strategies can universities implement to reduce their reliance on foreign donations and diversify their funding sources
, thereby causing significant concern within the international community.
Critics argue that these donations from Middle Eastern sources can create a conflict of interest and compromise academic integrity. They highlight the need for universities to be transparent about the sources of their funding and to ensure that they maintain their independence and autonomy in conducting research and providing education.
The controversy surrounding foreign donations is not limited to Harvard and UPenn. Several other prestigious institutions, including Yale University and Georgetown University, have also received significant amounts of funding from Middle Eastern sources. In fact, according to data from the Department of Education, Yale received $32,537,050 in donations from Saudi and Qatari sources over the past two years, while Georgetown received $11,904,137.
The concern over the influence of foreign donations is not unwarranted. It is crucial for universities to critically evaluate the impact that these funds may have on their academic programs, research agenda, and campus environment. A thorough examination of the terms and conditions attached to these donations is necessary to ensure that they do not compromise the university’s values, principles, or commitment to academic freedom.
In response to the growing scrutiny, universities have emphasized the rigorous due diligence processes they undertake when accepting donations. They assert that they have stringent protocols in place to evaluate potential donors and their motivations. Moreover, they argue that the funds they receive are usually designated for specific purposes, such as research initiatives, scholarships, or academic programs, and are not intended to influence the institution’s policies or actions.
However, critics argue that even with these protocols in place, there is the potential for undue influence or control. They stress the importance of continuous monitoring and transparency to ensure that the universities remain accountable to their stakeholders and the public.
Furthermore, some critics argue that these controversies highlight the need for universities to diversify their funding sources and reduce their reliance on foreign donations. They advocate for increased government funding and support for higher education to alleviate the potential risks associated with accepting large sums from external entities, particularly those with agendas that may not align with the principles and values of the universities.
As the debate regarding foreign donations continues, it is imperative for universities to maintain clarity, openness, and transparency. The public has a right to know about the funding sources of educational institutions, and universities have a responsibility to ensure that their decisions are guided by their commitment to academic excellence, integrity, and independence.
Ultimately, the issue at hand is not about demonizing or rejecting donations from Middle Eastern sources, but rather about ensuring that universities uphold their mission and values while accepting these funds. Striking a balance between financial support and maintaining academic freedom is crucial to preserving the integrity and reputation of higher education institutions.
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