Overview
- HHS’ Office for Civil Rights referred Harvard to the department’s suspension and debarment office, starting proceedings that could bar the university from federal grants and contracts across agencies.
- Harvard has 20 days to request a formal administrative hearing before an HHS administrative law judge to contest alleged Title VI violations.
- The action follows OCR’s June 30 notice of violation and a July referral to the Justice Department over allegations the university failed to address harassment of Jewish and Israeli students.
- If imposed, a temporary suspension could last up to a year and possible debarment would make Harvard ineligible to do business with the federal government, potentially affecting billions in research funding and student aid.
- The step comes weeks after a federal judge ruled earlier grant terminations illegal and ordered funds restored, as the administration pursues parallel enforcement paths that other universities have resolved through settlements.