The higher education sector—Harvard in particular—has come under growing scrutiny from both the media and government. What went wrong, and how should institutions respond? In this first episode of a special two-part series recorded at the Milken Institute, Jeff Selingo sits down with investor and outspoken Harvard critic Bill Ackman to explore the mounting challenges facing higher education.
Ackman argues that federal funding for private colleges is a privilege, not a right. He cites Harvard’s administrative bloat, limited admissions growth, and recent controversies surrounding antisemitism as reasons the government should reconsider its financial support. Rather than prioritizing DEI, international recruitment, or legacy admissions, Ackman contends that Harvard should focus solely on merit and socioeconomic need. As for the path forward, he believes elite institutions must fundamentally rethink their value proposition, and, in some cases, start fresh: “You’re better off starting with a blank canvas, so to speak.”