Exclusive | Harvard is trying to win back trust after years of scandal and professors say its working

In the years since October 7, 2023, Harvard University has been in crisis: the social fabric of campus was torn apart by chaotic pro-Palestine protests, president Claudine Gay was ensnared in plagiarism allegations, its affirmative action policies had been struck down by the Supreme Court, the school was named the worst college in the country for free expression, grade inflation was running rampant, and the Trump administration’s ire was directed at its federal funding.The nation’s premier university — and American higher education more broadly — had lost the faith of students, faculty, donors, and the public alike.But the only place to go from rock bottom is up.Over the past several years, Harvard has fought to win back trust with all manner of policies aimed at protecting academic freedom, fighting grade inflation, promoting dialogue, making learning AI-resistant, and re-centering academics in campus life.According to professors on the ground, it’s actually working.“I think for the first time university leadership realizes that higher ed — and Harvard in particular — has gotten itself into trouble,” Harvard psychology professor Steven Pinker told The Post.

“I do think there’s a change.These various initiatives — constructive dialogue and intellectual vitality — are in the air.”Pinker says that’s largely happened under the leadership of president Alan Garber, who took over in January 2024.“Our previous administrations, I think they just saw their main goal as keeping the university out of trouble: don’t make waves, no scandals, keep the finances solvent,” Pinker, who has taught at Harvard for more than 20 years, said.

“The university was on autopilot, as long as it didn’t attract negative headlines.But I don’t think they had put much thought into: What is the university for? And are we accomplishing those goals?”Under Garber’s leadership, the university established an Open Inquiry and Constructive Dialogue Working Gr...