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Trump Says Harvard Must Pay Back Relief Money He Signed Into Law Trump Says Harvard Must Pay Back Relief Money He Signed Into Law
(3 days later)
President Trump joined mounting criticism of Harvard on Tuesday, saying the richest university in the country would pay back $8.6 million in relief money from a coronavirus stimulus package that the president himself signed last month.President Trump joined mounting criticism of Harvard on Tuesday, saying the richest university in the country would pay back $8.6 million in relief money from a coronavirus stimulus package that the president himself signed last month.
“Harvard’s going to pay back the money,” Mr. Trump said at his evening news briefing, adding, “They have one of the largest endowments anywhere in the country, maybe in the world, I guess, and they’re going to pay back that money.”“Harvard’s going to pay back the money,” Mr. Trump said at his evening news briefing, adding, “They have one of the largest endowments anywhere in the country, maybe in the world, I guess, and they’re going to pay back that money.”
But the president appeared to conflate the source of the funds allocated to Harvard with a set of federal loans meant for small businesses, and the university said it would keep the money and distribute it entirely to students in need. The Education Department said the formula for distributing the aid package to universities was set by Congress and cannot be altered.But the president appeared to conflate the source of the funds allocated to Harvard with a set of federal loans meant for small businesses, and the university said it would keep the money and distribute it entirely to students in need. The Education Department said the formula for distributing the aid package to universities was set by Congress and cannot be altered.
The $2 trillion relief package signed by Mr. Trump on March 27 included $14 billion for higher education. Colleges and universities have taken a significant hit from shutting down their campuses, refunding room and board to students, and losing other revenue streams, including spring athletic events.The $2 trillion relief package signed by Mr. Trump on March 27 included $14 billion for higher education. Colleges and universities have taken a significant hit from shutting down their campuses, refunding room and board to students, and losing other revenue streams, including spring athletic events.
The Education Department announced that thousands of universities and colleges, both public and private, would receive assistance. The recipients ranged from the Ivy League to beauty schools, and the money was divided up based on a formula taking into account the size and income level of the student body.The Education Department announced that thousands of universities and colleges, both public and private, would receive assistance. The recipients ranged from the Ivy League to beauty schools, and the money was divided up based on a formula taking into account the size and income level of the student body.
About half of the relief money received by universities is supposed to be given to students as emergency cash grants, and the other half is meant to make up for revenue losses and costs related to the pandemic.About half of the relief money received by universities is supposed to be given to students as emergency cash grants, and the other half is meant to make up for revenue losses and costs related to the pandemic.
The amount Harvard received was in line with comparable universities. Among Ivy League schools, Cornell and Columbia received more, at roughly $12.8 million each. Stanford received $7.3 million, and Yale received $6.8 million. Some less prestigious universities received similar grants: $9.2 million for Arkansas State University and $9 million for Central Connecticut State University, for example.The amount Harvard received was in line with comparable universities. Among Ivy League schools, Cornell and Columbia received more, at roughly $12.8 million each. Stanford received $7.3 million, and Yale received $6.8 million. Some less prestigious universities received similar grants: $9.2 million for Arkansas State University and $9 million for Central Connecticut State University, for example.
The biggest allocation went to Arizona State University, which got $63.5 million.The biggest allocation went to Arizona State University, which got $63.5 million.
But Harvard’s allocation generated withering criticism on social media and among Republican politicians this week because of its large endowment — $40.9 billion as of June. Critics said it was unseemly for such a wealthy university to be getting taxpayer money when 22 million people had recently joined the unemployment rolls.But Harvard’s allocation generated withering criticism on social media and among Republican politicians this week because of its large endowment — $40.9 billion as of June. Critics said it was unseemly for such a wealthy university to be getting taxpayer money when 22 million people had recently joined the unemployment rolls.
Even some alumni were displeased. Danielle Leonard, a lawyer in San Francisco who graduated from Harvard, said the university had many options other than taking public money.Even some alumni were displeased. Danielle Leonard, a lawyer in San Francisco who graduated from Harvard, said the university had many options other than taking public money.
“Just because the law was written to make the money available does not mean it was moral to take it,” she said, adding that the school has many other ways, including through loans, to support students and pay employees and staff members. Harvard “does not need a grant of public funds to do that,” she added.“Just because the law was written to make the money available does not mean it was moral to take it,” she said, adding that the school has many other ways, including through loans, to support students and pay employees and staff members. Harvard “does not need a grant of public funds to do that,” she added.
The criticism came at the same time that several large national chains received money from a different part of the stimulus package meant to provide loans to small businesses. They included the restaurant chain Shake Shack, which said this week it would return $10 million it had received from the program.The criticism came at the same time that several large national chains received money from a different part of the stimulus package meant to provide loans to small businesses. They included the restaurant chain Shake Shack, which said this week it would return $10 million it had received from the program.
When a reporter asked Mr. Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday about the loans, Mr. Trump replied with his statements about Harvard returning the federal relief money.When a reporter asked Mr. Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday about the loans, Mr. Trump replied with his statements about Harvard returning the federal relief money.
The university said that Mr. Trump appeared to misunderstand the source of the funds it was slated to receive.The university said that Mr. Trump appeared to misunderstand the source of the funds it was slated to receive.
“Harvard did not apply for, nor has it received any funds through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses,” said Jason Newton, a Harvard spokesman. “Reports saying otherwise are inaccurate. President Trump is right that it would not have been appropriate for our institution to receive funds that were designated for struggling small businesses.”“Harvard did not apply for, nor has it received any funds through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses,” said Jason Newton, a Harvard spokesman. “Reports saying otherwise are inaccurate. President Trump is right that it would not have been appropriate for our institution to receive funds that were designated for struggling small businesses.”
The Education Department said late Tuesday that the education secretary, Betsy DeVos, shared the president’s concern about money going to schools like Harvard. “Sending millions to schools with significant endowments is a poor use of taxpayer money,” said Angela Morabito, a department spokeswoman.The Education Department said late Tuesday that the education secretary, Betsy DeVos, shared the president’s concern about money going to schools like Harvard. “Sending millions to schools with significant endowments is a poor use of taxpayer money,” said Angela Morabito, a department spokeswoman.
She said Ms. DeVos had sent a letter to college and university presidents, asking them to determine if their institutions actually need the money. If not, she asked them to send their funds to other schools in need in their state or region. “We hope that the presidents of these schools will take the secretary’s advice,” Ms. Morabito said.She said Ms. DeVos had sent a letter to college and university presidents, asking them to determine if their institutions actually need the money. If not, she asked them to send their funds to other schools in need in their state or region. “We hope that the presidents of these schools will take the secretary’s advice,” Ms. Morabito said.
The formula for calculating funds to universities was based to a large degree on the overall student enrollment and the proportion of low-income students, as measured by those receiving federal financial aid through Pell Grants. Of the 6,600 undergraduates at Harvard, 16 percent are Pell Grant recipients, the university said, and in the 2018-19 academic year, Harvard provided $200 million in scholarships for its undergraduates.The formula for calculating funds to universities was based to a large degree on the overall student enrollment and the proportion of low-income students, as measured by those receiving federal financial aid through Pell Grants. Of the 6,600 undergraduates at Harvard, 16 percent are Pell Grant recipients, the university said, and in the 2018-19 academic year, Harvard provided $200 million in scholarships for its undergraduates.
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
“It was purely mechanical,” said Terry Hartle, a senior vice president at the American Council on Education, a trade group. “Harvard got that money because that’s the way the formula allocated it.”“It was purely mechanical,” said Terry Hartle, a senior vice president at the American Council on Education, a trade group. “Harvard got that money because that’s the way the formula allocated it.”
Arizona State, for instance, received the largest allocation because it has 83,000 students, including 40,000 considered low income, Mr. Hartle said. He estimated that beauty colleges got more than $166 million in combined funding.Arizona State, for instance, received the largest allocation because it has 83,000 students, including 40,000 considered low income, Mr. Hartle said. He estimated that beauty colleges got more than $166 million in combined funding.
Mr. Hartle acknowledged that the formula was open to criticism. “Formulas that are created quickly usually have anomalies that might have caught attention if there had been more opportunity to think it through,” he said.Mr. Hartle acknowledged that the formula was open to criticism. “Formulas that are created quickly usually have anomalies that might have caught attention if there had been more opportunity to think it through,” he said.
After the outpouring of criticism, Harvard said Monday it would devote all of the stimulus money it was receiving to students “facing urgent financial needs” because of the pandemic, and would not use any of it for its own operations.After the outpouring of criticism, Harvard said Monday it would devote all of the stimulus money it was receiving to students “facing urgent financial needs” because of the pandemic, and would not use any of it for its own operations.
“This financial assistance will be on top of the support the university has already provided to students — including assistance with travel, providing direct aid for living expenses to those with need, and supporting students’ transition to online education,” Mr. Newton, the Harvard spokesman, said on Tuesday.“This financial assistance will be on top of the support the university has already provided to students — including assistance with travel, providing direct aid for living expenses to those with need, and supporting students’ transition to online education,” Mr. Newton, the Harvard spokesman, said on Tuesday.
Harvard’s president, Lawrence S. Bacow, said recently that because of declines in the markets, the university’s endowment, “while large, is not as large as it was previously.”Harvard’s president, Lawrence S. Bacow, said recently that because of declines in the markets, the university’s endowment, “while large, is not as large as it was previously.”
Mr. Bacow, who tested positive for the coronavirus along with his wife and has since recovered, did not say how much money Harvard had lost during the pandemic. But he said that like other academic institutions, it was already seeing significant financial losses and expects more if students are unable to return in the fall.Mr. Bacow, who tested positive for the coronavirus along with his wife and has since recovered, did not say how much money Harvard had lost during the pandemic. But he said that like other academic institutions, it was already seeing significant financial losses and expects more if students are unable to return in the fall.
“Although we entered this crisis in a position of relative financial strength, our resources are already stretched,” Mr. Bacow said. “If we are to preserve our core mission of teaching and scholarship, we face difficult, even painful, decisions in the days ahead.”“Although we entered this crisis in a position of relative financial strength, our resources are already stretched,” Mr. Bacow said. “If we are to preserve our core mission of teaching and scholarship, we face difficult, even painful, decisions in the days ahead.”
Farah Stockman contributed reporting.Farah Stockman contributed reporting.