“The biggest crisis since Harvard was founded”

You are a member of the student government at Harvard. Can you briefly explain to our readers what the tasks of this student parliament are and how much influence it has on the university’s strategic decisions?

In Germany, you might think of flyers and semester tickets. At Harvard, it goes further than that. We represent several thousand students from the graduate schools, such as the Law, Business, Medical and Kennedy Schools. We help the university management to help develop the Harvard of tomorrow from a student perspective, but we also advocate for current student concerns. But what we do above all: We translate – between students and administration, reality and regulations.

Especially now, with Trump’s attacks, it is clear how important this role is. The university alone would not be able to answer all student enquiries about the visa situation at such short notice. We therefore collect information, provide contacts and give updates on developments, both among students and from a management perspective. In this way, we help the university to focus on the most critical cases.

Harvard is currently being heavily scrutinised by the US administration, which is trying to revoke Harvard’s right to enrol international students and doctoral candidates. As a German student at Harvard, how do you feel about the current mood among international students? Are students confident that Harvard will prevail in court against the administration or are many already expecting that they will no longer be able to continue studying at Harvard?

When the news broke that Harvard might lose the right to admit international students, I was in Germany. After an evening with my family, my mobile phone was suddenly full of messages from friends. Suddenly, it was unclear whether we – the international students at Harvard – would be allowed to re-enter the country next autumn at the start of the semester. Whether our studies are still legally secure at all. And whether we will still need our appartment in Cambridge, for example.

For many, their future plans are at stake – scholarship, residency, career entry. At the same time, it was precisely moments like these that brought us to this university. To take responsibility. To defend democracy. Many are thinking about alternatives – Canada, Europe, Asia. Others hope that Harvard will win in court. And some simply do the most obvious thing: wait and see.

I am convinced that we are living through history right now – not just as observers. University officials are calling the situation the biggest existential crisis since the university was founded. It is an attack on academic freedom and the rule of law.

The official basis for the measures taken by the US administration against Harvard University is, above all, the accusation that it has not taken sufficient action against anti-semitic protests on campus. How have you experienced the developments on campus since October 2023? And how would you assess the current situation?

The situation has been tense since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. There have been protests, heated debates – and unfortunately lines have been crossed as well. Jews and Muslims alike have felt increasingly under pressure. The doxing of protesters – the publication of their personal data – caused additional uncertainty.

But a lot has changed. Under the new president Alan Garber – himself Jewish – the concerns were taken seriously. Students have been included. Formats such as the ‘Candid Conversations’ promote dialogue. Many appreciate that Harvard is now taking action. It has taken time, but the direction is right. It is also clear that there is no magic formula, no quick fix. Rebuilding trust takes time.

I never thought I would have to read legal reports in the middle of my studies to find out whether I was legally allowed to enter the country. Or to talk to university management about crisis communication and legal grey areas. But that’s exactly what I’m doing now.

It is clear that international education is not a matter of course – not even at Harvard. It has enemies and is vulnerable. That’s why it needs protection. And it thrives on the fact that people from the US can come together with people from Ghana, Brazil, Israel or China and discuss issues. Because only when we meet people with different views can we question and develop our own.

I experienced the Covid outbreak in Beijing as a Yenching scholar, Brexit in London. Now Harvard. I hope that we also see this time as a turning point. Not because everything will be better immediately afterwards – but because we need to recognise what is at stake. Nothing less than free Western society and democracy.

Until then, I try to listen, to mediate, to take responsibility. And to give a little hope. Because if we learn from this in Europe, we have a unique opportunity here. The time has come to finally stand up for our claim to be a stronghold of the rule of law and democracy.