Navigating our changed landscape
To the Harvard Chan community,
I’m sure you have seen this week’s U.S. district court ruling that the federal government’s termination of research grants across Harvard was unlawful. This is a welcome and important ruling, affirming the University’s First Amendment rights and upholding academic freedom.
I hope the court’s decision will be the first step toward unfreezing our research funds, which supported projects with tremendous potential to improve health for all. However, the administration has indicated it will appeal. We must be prepared for a long and uncertain road ahead.
In addition, the financial environment for higher education has shifted significantly.
Changes to federal law and policy will have major impacts on our budget. These include the endowment tax and changes in health research priorities. In addition, we face the potential for sharp reductions in research funding, steep cuts to federal reimbursement for facilities and administration expenses, and new approaches to the grant review process.
These portend far-reaching, structural changes to the funding landscape. In response, we must make far-reaching, structural changes to the School, despite Wednesday’s positive ruling.
For months, we have been engaged in this restructuring. Departments and units across the School have made deep and difficult cuts, including layoffs of valued colleagues this week. More hard work on the budget lies ahead.
My commitment to you is that we will continue to do this work strategically, making sure we retain our capacity for innovation, our commitment to excellence, and our positive impact on public health.
I am confident that we will emerge from this crisis with a more sustainable model—one that encourages interdisciplinary science and keeps us ahead of the curve on education. We will model agility, accessibility, and accountability. We will remain a leading voice in public health.
I am sure you have many questions. My office will schedule a Town Hall in the coming weeks so we can discuss these issues together. Please also continue to share your questions and suggestions through this form.
I remain deeply grateful for this extraordinary community. Thank you for all you do.
Best,
Andrea
Andrea Baccarelli, MD, PhD
Dean of the Faculty
