Harvard University President Alan Garber issued a formal apology and promised reforms after the release of two internal reports on Tuesday that examined antisemitism and anti-Arab bias on campus.
The reports, which were commissioned by the university, shed light on deep-rooted tensions and incidents of discrimination that have impacted students and faculty. Garber acknowledged the university’s shortcomings, stating, “I am sorry for the moments when we failed to meet the high expectations we rightfully set for our community.”
The reports were the product of two separate task forces made up of faculty and some students. One focused on antisemitism, while the other investigated anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian bias.
The findings revealed widespread concerns, with the antisemitism report documenting its presence in academic programs, social settings, and even faculty hiring. The report on Islamophobia found that 92% of Muslim respondents felt they could face academic or professional consequences for expressing their political views.
Garber reflected on the 2023–24 academic year as a particularly volatile time, describing it as “disappointing and painful.” He noted that the Israel-Hamas war had brought underlying tensions to the surface. While emphasizing that the university has already implemented some reforms, he insisted that more action is needed, declaring that “Harvard cannot — and will not — abide bigotry.”
The release of these reports comes amid a broader political and legal conflict. The university is currently suing the Trump administration over a freeze in federal funding, a move that the administration framed as part of its efforts to combat antisemitism. However, the lawsuit has also sparked debates over federal oversight in higher education. Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights had ordered Harvard to publish the reports by May 2 after repeated delays.