Jack’s Angle: My letter to Harvard’s President – John J. “Jack” Partridge ’75

by John J. “Jack” Partridge, contributing writer, commentary

As a graduate of Harvard Law School, I recently wrote to Harvard University president Alan Garber  as follows:

“I am an alum of the Law school, and a frequent contributor to the school. I understand that you believe that President Trump’s threat to withhold research dollars from the University may be unsettling to you, but I believe that if Harvard truly believes in the programs affected it should  fund them on an ongoing basis, (assuming they are not involved in anti-Semitic activities), from endowment resources.  

The massive and ever-growing Harvard endowment is there to protect the University from every harm. and if you believe that President Trump’s threats are an occasion of harm, you should use it after an effective review of each study, contract and research program that might be cut or canceled. 

From what I understand, the total potential loss is about equal to less than 3% of the endowment and less than 9 months of earnings.  A press release this week reported that Harvard was halting   an international study of Tuberculosis, which disease affects almost a quarter of the world’s population and a $15.2 million funding for the study of the effects of radiation on cancer patients, as well as other research on long term health issues.

Is cancellation really your best defense when your need to demonstrate you can fight and be respected, and at the same time save what you believe to be extremely valuable research, jobs and cultural benefits? President Trump only respects those who fight and have the financial ability to do so effectively.  He uses his financial threats when he believes an opponent is weak, so using the ever-growing endowment to save programs and research is a strong message to him.

Be strong, fight his moves in court and wherever else appropriate, if you must. But do not allow the programs you want to save to be lost in the shuffle. Think about the general public’s take on the issues presented. Right now, you should be warning the general public about the risks of the president’s threats, in practical terms, because the public doesn’t much worry about a tax exempt entity, with billions in assets, and can be dismissive of claims from  progressive academia as to academic freedom concerns. You should not express the university’s concern not from the point of view of professors, but from the perspective that his threats could lead to likely less research into cancer drugs, or heart ailments, or in saving the lives of children. Make your defense real world, not theoretical.

Sincerely,

John Partridge, Harvard Law School, ‘75

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To read more columns by Jack Partridge for RINewsToday, go to: https://rinewstoday.com/our-team/john-j-jack-partridge/

John J. ‘Jack’ Partridge, is a retired lawyer and Senior Counsel to the firm of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP, with four offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.A Pawtucket native, Jack graduated from St. Raphael Academy and summa cum laude of Providence College, where he majored in history. After Harvard Law School, he served in the United States Army in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. In 1967, he joined the firm of Tillinghast Collins & Tanner. In 1988, he became a founding partner of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP.

Jack has been engaged in many civic, political, governmental, and business organizations, serving as legal counsel to the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce for 27 years and was chairman of the Old Slater Mill Association, Common Cause Rhode Island, and Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island.

He is the co-founder of The Pawtucket Foundation and an officer and director of innumerable not-for-profit entities. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Pawtucket Boys & Girls Club and was Treasurer of the Ocean State Charities Trust.

Jack has a long history of leadership involvement with Providence College, which recognized him in 1999 with the Providence College Alumni Association Recognition Award for Public and Community Service, and in 2011, with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

He is married to the former Regina McDonald and has three children: Sarah, Gregory and David.

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