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After Trump’s Criticism, Harvard Turns Down Federal Relief Money After Trump’s Criticism, Harvard Turns Down Federal Relief Money
(32 minutes later)
Harvard University announced Wednesday that it would not accept $8.6 million in taxpayer money that the university was set to receive as part of an emergency relief package for higher education, whose losses have been mounting during the coronavirus pandemic.Harvard University announced Wednesday that it would not accept $8.6 million in taxpayer money that the university was set to receive as part of an emergency relief package for higher education, whose losses have been mounting during the coronavirus pandemic.
The school’s decision came a day after President Trump criticized Harvard for receiving federal relief funds despite its large endowment, valued at $41 billion before the pandemic. “Harvard’s going to pay back the money,” he declared.The school’s decision came a day after President Trump criticized Harvard for receiving federal relief funds despite its large endowment, valued at $41 billion before the pandemic. “Harvard’s going to pay back the money,” he declared.
Harvard said on Wednesday that there had been a lot of “confusion” surrounding the emergency fund, and that the university “did not apply for this support, nor has it requested, received or accessed these funds.” Mr. Trump had criticized the university in response to a reporter’s question on Tuesday about a different relief fund meant for small businesses.Harvard said on Wednesday that there had been a lot of “confusion” surrounding the emergency fund, and that the university “did not apply for this support, nor has it requested, received or accessed these funds.” Mr. Trump had criticized the university in response to a reporter’s question on Tuesday about a different relief fund meant for small businesses.
Harvard, which had previously said it would use all of the federal money to support students in need, opted not to take it after two days of attacks by an array of critics, including Mr. Trump and several Republican congressmen, who said it was unseemly for the country’s richest university to take taxpayer money during a crisis that has left millions of Americans without jobs.Harvard, which had previously said it would use all of the federal money to support students in need, opted not to take it after two days of attacks by an array of critics, including Mr. Trump and several Republican congressmen, who said it was unseemly for the country’s richest university to take taxpayer money during a crisis that has left millions of Americans without jobs.
At least two other elite universities, Princeton and Stanford, also announced on Wednesday that they would not be taking the money designated to them through a $14 billion federal aid package for higher education. The money was part of a $2 trillion relief package that Mr. Trump signed into law on March 27.At least two other elite universities, Princeton and Stanford, also announced on Wednesday that they would not be taking the money designated to them through a $14 billion federal aid package for higher education. The money was part of a $2 trillion relief package that Mr. Trump signed into law on March 27.
Some 5,000 American colleges, universities and trade schools are set to receive federal funding. Although the money was allocated through a formula taking into account the size and income of their student bodies, universities could not access the funds without requesting it from the Education Department. Harvard said it would not submit its paperwork.Some 5,000 American colleges, universities and trade schools are set to receive federal funding. Although the money was allocated through a formula taking into account the size and income of their student bodies, universities could not access the funds without requesting it from the Education Department. Harvard said it would not submit its paperwork.
Harvard said in a statement that it faced “significant financial challenges” because of the pandemic and the resulting economic crisis.Harvard said in a statement that it faced “significant financial challenges” because of the pandemic and the resulting economic crisis.
“We are also concerned, however,” the university said, “that the intense focus by politicians and others on Harvard in connection with this program may undermine participation in a relief effort that Congress created and the President signed into law for the purpose of helping students and institutions whose financial challenges in the coming months may be most severe.”“We are also concerned, however,” the university said, “that the intense focus by politicians and others on Harvard in connection with this program may undermine participation in a relief effort that Congress created and the President signed into law for the purpose of helping students and institutions whose financial challenges in the coming months may be most severe.”
Here is a closer look at the higher education relief fund and the controversy surrounding it.Here is a closer look at the higher education relief fund and the controversy surrounding it.
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund was created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Known as the CARES Act, it was passed by Congress in late March to provide economic assistance for workers, families, small businesses, students and schools affected by the coronavirus pandemic.The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund was created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Known as the CARES Act, it was passed by Congress in late March to provide economic assistance for workers, families, small businesses, students and schools affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Colleges and universities have been among the institutions facing the biggest losses. Beginning in about mid-March, they ordered most students to evacuate dormitories and campuses. They shut down dining halls, libraries, gyms and science centers, and moved classes online.Colleges and universities have been among the institutions facing the biggest losses. Beginning in about mid-March, they ordered most students to evacuate dormitories and campuses. They shut down dining halls, libraries, gyms and science centers, and moved classes online.
The cost of these shutdowns was high, and schools are still not sure whether they will be able to open normally in the fall. Senior executives at many universities have taken pay cuts; faculty salaries have been frozen and construction projects suspended. Many schools have returned unused room and board fees and continued to pay contract workers even when they are not needed.The cost of these shutdowns was high, and schools are still not sure whether they will be able to open normally in the fall. Senior executives at many universities have taken pay cuts; faculty salaries have been frozen and construction projects suspended. Many schools have returned unused room and board fees and continued to pay contract workers even when they are not needed.
The relief package included nearly $14 billion to help higher education, and institutions said much more was needed. About half of the money is designated for emergency grants to students to cover food, housing, course materials, technology, and health care needs associated with the disruption caused by the virus.The relief package included nearly $14 billion to help higher education, and institutions said much more was needed. About half of the money is designated for emergency grants to students to cover food, housing, course materials, technology, and health care needs associated with the disruption caused by the virus.
Almost all of the higher education relief money, $12.6 billion, was designated by Congress for about 4,500 colleges and universities that are eligible for federal financial aid, ranging from Ivy League universities to trade schools.Almost all of the higher education relief money, $12.6 billion, was designated by Congress for about 4,500 colleges and universities that are eligible for federal financial aid, ranging from Ivy League universities to trade schools.
The rest was reserved for institutions that primarily serve minority populations, and for grants to institutions that were particularly hard hit by the virus, mainly smaller colleges whose economic survival is threatened.The rest was reserved for institutions that primarily serve minority populations, and for grants to institutions that were particularly hard hit by the virus, mainly smaller colleges whose economic survival is threatened.
The distribution formula set by Congress is based on the federal financial aid distribution system, weighted toward students who receive federal Pell Grants. The bigger a school’s student body, and the more low-income students, the more money a school is entitled to receive.The distribution formula set by Congress is based on the federal financial aid distribution system, weighted toward students who receive federal Pell Grants. The bigger a school’s student body, and the more low-income students, the more money a school is entitled to receive.
The formula excludes students who were enrolled exclusively in online coursework before the pandemic.The formula excludes students who were enrolled exclusively in online coursework before the pandemic.
Because it was based on a formula, the actual distribution of the money is “purely mechanical” and not influenced by other factors, including the size of a university’s endowment, said Terry Hartle, a senior vice president at the American Council on Education, a trade group.Because it was based on a formula, the actual distribution of the money is “purely mechanical” and not influenced by other factors, including the size of a university’s endowment, said Terry Hartle, a senior vice president at the American Council on Education, a trade group.
In a letter to college and university presidents on April 9, Betsy DeVos, the education secretary, acknowledged the crudeness of the formula and urged universities to donate their grants to more needy institutions within their state or region if they saw fit.In a letter to college and university presidents on April 9, Betsy DeVos, the education secretary, acknowledged the crudeness of the formula and urged universities to donate their grants to more needy institutions within their state or region if they saw fit.
Harvard is the most well-heeled university in the world, with an endowment of $40.9 billion as of last June. Harvard has said that like other endowments, its investments have suffered significant losses during the crisis.Harvard is the most well-heeled university in the world, with an endowment of $40.9 billion as of last June. Harvard has said that like other endowments, its investments have suffered significant losses during the crisis.
In an April 13 message to the Harvard community, its president, Larry Bacow, acknowledged that the university was better positioned to weather the economic hardship than most institutions. Still, he said, he was announcing an immediate hiring freeze, a pause in discretionary spending and a review of capital projects.In an April 13 message to the Harvard community, its president, Larry Bacow, acknowledged that the university was better positioned to weather the economic hardship than most institutions. Still, he said, he was announcing an immediate hiring freeze, a pause in discretionary spending and a review of capital projects.
But the optics of a wealthy university receiving taxpayer money when 22 million Americans have lost their jobs did not sit well with many. Several members of Congress, including Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, and Rep. Mark Green, Republican of Tennessee, criticized Harvard on Twitter in recent days. Mr. Cruz, a Harvard Law School graduate who voted for the CARES Act, said that for Harvard to get taxpayer relief was “ridiculous.”But the optics of a wealthy university receiving taxpayer money when 22 million Americans have lost their jobs did not sit well with many. Several members of Congress, including Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, and Rep. Mark Green, Republican of Tennessee, criticized Harvard on Twitter in recent days. Mr. Cruz, a Harvard Law School graduate who voted for the CARES Act, said that for Harvard to get taxpayer relief was “ridiculous.”
Mr. Trump added to the criticism at his nightly briefing on Tuesday. His treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, was asked about Shake Shack, the restaurant chain, which had received and returned $10 million in stimulus money from the Paycheck Protection Program, a different part of the CARES Act.Mr. Trump added to the criticism at his nightly briefing on Tuesday. His treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, was asked about Shake Shack, the restaurant chain, which had received and returned $10 million in stimulus money from the Paycheck Protection Program, a different part of the CARES Act.
Mr. Mnuchin said he was “pleased to see that Shake Shack returned the money.” The intent of the program, he said, was “not for big public companies that have access to capital.”Mr. Mnuchin said he was “pleased to see that Shake Shack returned the money.” The intent of the program, he said, was “not for big public companies that have access to capital.”
At that point, Mr. Trump jumped in to say, “And not for Harvard, you might say, Steve.”At that point, Mr. Trump jumped in to say, “And not for Harvard, you might say, Steve.”
Asked by a reporter if other big companies were going to return their money, Mr. Trump said, “Yup, Harvard’s going to pay back the money.”Asked by a reporter if other big companies were going to return their money, Mr. Trump said, “Yup, Harvard’s going to pay back the money.”
Updated June 30, 2020
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.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Because of the funding formula, Harvard’s share was in line with that of other similar institutions. Some of the biggest grants went to state universities, which tend to be very large and have large shares of low-income students.Because of the funding formula, Harvard’s share was in line with that of other similar institutions. Some of the biggest grants went to state universities, which tend to be very large and have large shares of low-income students.
Arizona State University, for instance, was allocated the most, $63.5 million, because it has 83,000 students and 40,000 of them are low-income, according to the trade group.Arizona State University, for instance, was allocated the most, $63.5 million, because it has 83,000 students and 40,000 of them are low-income, according to the trade group.
The formula for disbursing funds to universities did not take a school’s endowment into account. The University of Texas system, which had a $31 billion endowment in 2018, the second-largest in the country, will get $172.5 million from the stimulus package, including $31 million for its flagship institution, the University of Texas at Austin.The formula for disbursing funds to universities did not take a school’s endowment into account. The University of Texas system, which had a $31 billion endowment in 2018, the second-largest in the country, will get $172.5 million from the stimulus package, including $31 million for its flagship institution, the University of Texas at Austin.
Mr. Trump’s alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, had a $14 billion endowment as of 2018 and is set to receive $10 million in stimulus money.Mr. Trump’s alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, had a $14 billion endowment as of 2018 and is set to receive $10 million in stimulus money.
Ms. DeVos called on Congress in a statement on Wednesday “to change the law to make sure no more taxpayer funds go to elite, wealthy institutions.”Ms. DeVos called on Congress in a statement on Wednesday “to change the law to make sure no more taxpayer funds go to elite, wealthy institutions.”
To gain access to the funds, schools have to fill out some paperwork. As of Tuesday, only about half of the eligible colleges, universities and trade schools had applied for the emergency financial aid grants to students, according to the Education Department.To gain access to the funds, schools have to fill out some paperwork. As of Tuesday, only about half of the eligible colleges, universities and trade schools had applied for the emergency financial aid grants to students, according to the Education Department.
Many institutions, including Harvard, indicated that they were unhappy with restrictions issued Tuesday on the way the money could be used. The guidance directs emergency financial aid grants to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a valid Social Security number, seemingly omitting stranded foreign students and students brought to the U.S. illegally as children, commonly known as “Dreamers.”Many institutions, including Harvard, indicated that they were unhappy with restrictions issued Tuesday on the way the money could be used. The guidance directs emergency financial aid grants to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a valid Social Security number, seemingly omitting stranded foreign students and students brought to the U.S. illegally as children, commonly known as “Dreamers.”
It prohibits universities from reimbursing themselves with student grants for money they have already paid to students, including refunds for unused room and board and providing laptops and Wi-Fi hot spots.It prohibits universities from reimbursing themselves with student grants for money they have already paid to students, including refunds for unused room and board and providing laptops and Wi-Fi hot spots.
It was unclear Wednesday whether Harvard could control where the money went now, since the university had never officially requested it. But in a statement announcing that it was renouncing the money, Harvard said that it hoped “special consideration will be given to Massachusetts institutions that are struggling to serve their communities and meet the needs of their students through these difficult and challenging times.”It was unclear Wednesday whether Harvard could control where the money went now, since the university had never officially requested it. But in a statement announcing that it was renouncing the money, Harvard said that it hoped “special consideration will be given to Massachusetts institutions that are struggling to serve their communities and meet the needs of their students through these difficult and challenging times.”
Princeton and Stanford also announced on Wednesday that they were returning the money allocated to them.Princeton and Stanford also announced on Wednesday that they were returning the money allocated to them.
Stanford, with an endowment of about $28 billion in 2019, was due $7.3 million. It said it was returning the money so that the funds could go to smaller schools facing an “existential threat.”Stanford, with an endowment of about $28 billion in 2019, was due $7.3 million. It said it was returning the money so that the funds could go to smaller schools facing an “existential threat.”
Princeton, with an endowment of more than $26 billion last year, was due $2.4 million. It issued a statement on Twitter, saying it had never requested funding under the CARES Act and would not accept it.Princeton, with an endowment of more than $26 billion last year, was due $2.4 million. It issued a statement on Twitter, saying it had never requested funding under the CARES Act and would not accept it.