Harvard and the University of Toronto Create a Contingency Plan for Foreign Students
Harvard and the University of Toronto have collaborated to develop a contingency plan to assist hesitant overseas students.
A collaborative contingency plan has been announced by Harvard University and the University of Toronto to assist foreign graduate students who might not be allowed to return to the United States because of visa limitations.
The agreement allowed qualified Harvard students from the John F. Kennedy School of Government to pursue further education in Canada by enrolling in the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto as visiting students. In a statement, the deans of the two institutions said the program would combine teaching from both Kennedy and Munk professors.
The proposal addresses the lingering uncertainty after the US Department of Homeland Security attempted to cancel Harvard’s admission of overseas students last month, but a federal court delayed the move.
“HKS will be able to continue to provide a world-class public policy education to all of our students, even if they are unable to visit our campus this year,” stated Jeremy Weinstein, dean of Harvard Kennedy School, in response to any possible disruptions.
Only if there is enough demand from students who are unable to return to the United States would the contingency plan be triggered. International students who have already spent at least a year at Harvard’s US campus will be eligible.
The announcement comes amid wider hostilities between Harvard and the Trump administration, which has threatened to cut off billions of dollars in government research funding. In addition to breaking reporting laws and participating in dubious partnerships with foreign governments, such as China’s Communist Party, the administration has charged Harvard with ignoring antisemitism and campus disturbances.
In the last five years, 52% of Kennedy School students have been foreign-born, according to Harvard’s International Office. Currently, 739 students from 92 countries are enrolled in the school’s leadership and public policy programs.
